For my parents, sisters, and me, it started when we made it a family project to put together a CarePack of school supplies destined for the Former Soviet Union several years ago. Though still a young teen, I read the mailings carefully and wanted to be a bigger part of the ministry. While I dreamed of visiting Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County where the mission’s aid was packed for shipment, my mom casually mentioned that maybe I should go to Russia. None of us were thinking as big as God was.

[Pictures: Right—An interpreter translating a letter for a young boy. Below—Elsa Stowman on a recent mission with GAiN.]

Despite the widespread concerns of Y2K disasters, our family of five stepped aboard a plane bound for the Former Soviet Union in January of 2000. This turned out to be the first of many trips we would take as volunteers with Global Aid Network (GAiN), a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. On each of these trips we have been able to share the hope of Jesus Christ in public schools, orphanages, shelters, hospitals, prisons, and other such places. Our eyes have been opened to a world of hunger—physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and we have not been able to stay away.

Life has changed since the beginning as my sisters and I have grown up and our responsibilities have increased. We are not able to travel as much in this season of life, and yet there is a big “something” we can do right from home.

In fact this “something” is way too big for me and my family to undertake on our own. Maybe it is a mission your family can join us in. As I mentioned, GAiN has a warehouse. Though now a year-round facility, they have a couple packing projects per year where thousands of volunteers gather to process aid that will be used to open doors for Christ around the world. One of their big projects is CarePacks of school supplies and hygiene items. In fact, starting this October 13th [2008], they will be preparing 22,000 CarePacks!

This is where you come in… Each of those 22,000 CarePacks is missing what I believe to be the most important item—a personal letter and picture from a real person. I have placed these gifts in the hands of children who have practically nothing of their own and seen them bypass the colorful crayons and stickers looking for that letter. They long to know that someone cares and that their lives are worth living. A message from a real person communicates just that.

This past winter my dad and youngest sister delivered letters to a country that has since closed its doors to visiting missionaries. But because the people who wrote included their addresses and the people in that country are eager to have American friends, opportunities still exist to share hope!

[Photo at left—The Paul Stowman family with orphans and their caregiver in Siberia, 2005.] 

Moms, children, or whole families working together around the kitchen table can be a part of this ongoing ministry. More letters are always needed, but you read the number correctly for the current need—22,000 letters by October! These letters will be going all around the world. Will you help?

I think of a quote by one of my favorite authors, Betty Carlson. She wrote in her book, Reflections from a Small Chalet, “We can persist in thinking that it is a small thing to write a letter, but I don’t believe it. One letter can go far, very far...”

Here is what you can do:

1. Find letter writing instructions at www.Stowman.org.
2. Gather friends and family, or sit down solo with a cup of tea or coffee, pen in hand!
3. Following the guidelines, write about your life, your joys, and your struggles. It's okay to come across as a real person. Just be sure to include the reason for the hope within you.
4. Attach a picture of yourself. Extra Christmas pictures work great!
5. Consider sending multiples of the same letter—copied by hand or printed on a nice piece of stationary. Keep it as personal and special as possible.
6. Send letters to the GAiN Warehouse (address on www.Stowman.org).
7. Remember to pray for the mission—and each person who will receive your letters.