I had an email from Barry & Elaine Boothe who were thinking of visiting in March 2008. They just thought I asked what they could bring over with them or what they could do to help House of Grace
I just mentioned a few ideas off my head not expecting what would come from this. Here is what they have managed to come up with.
- The next thing I knew they held a garage sale to raise for the House of Grace building project. With a lot of their friends around them to help they manage to raise almost $1,500 from it.
- Elaine is a good cook and her speciality is pasties. She cooked up enough to feed an army to sell as part of the fundraising.
- Elaine was so impressed with my book that she started buying book after book to give as gifts to all her friends to spread my story around.
- Once they got here in March 2008 they brought over 100 sets of children clothings for me to give out to orphans and street kids. It was through their friends who made up and donated all these great clothes.
- They also brought gifts and chocolates for me.
- They really wanted to bring over 2-3 wheelchairs to donate as well but Quantas wasn't feeling too charitable to allow them excess weight. Oh well, at least they had a go.
Here is their message of appreciation of all those who helped in the garage sales: "a message of thanks to all who helped make our garage sale a huge success. Many thanks to the many friends and family members who donated the wonderful array of goods for sale. Without you the sale would have been a non event. Many thanks to our Promotions manager, Rosie Harris, Many thanks to our tireless sales staff, Frank and Val Parks, Lyn Hill and Cheryl. Where would we be without the extremely capable garage sale director and coordinator team, Bev and John Dewhirst? The much needed rain stayed away, the crowds rolled in, we called it a day at 2.30 pm"
While they were in Vietnam we caught up and chatted about their efforts and how it all happened, I shared about progress of the work here, then we had lunch together.
When Sue Dixon heard about Hoa Stone and the House of Grace in Vietnam she wanted to help. Sue was born with Cerebral Palsy and knows what it is like to live with a disability. She had raised some money from selling chocolates which she wanted to donate to help children living with disabilities in Vietnam.
Sue celebrated her 43rd birthday in July 2007, and held a party where she invited all of her friends, asking that instead of gifts, that they donate money to the House of Grace. She hopes that the money raised will help to provide disabled children in Vietnam with opportunities to learn skills for a better life.
A member at Rostrevor Baptist from the age of 22, Sue says that her strong friendship with Beck Oates has been an important part of her life and faith. She can't wait to see Beck and her family, including a new baby in Perth in 2008. Sue is a very much loved member of RBC and an inspiration to all.
On behalf of the House & Company of Grace I would like to personally thank Barry & Elaine Boothe, Sue Dixon and so many of you for your assistance in showing how we can all do our part to help give disadvantaged children a brighter future in Vietnam. Hoa Van Stone (Director):
More stories coming soon!
