Winter is coming. For most of us, that means pulling a warm coat from the closet, putting on a pair of fleece-lined boots, and wrapping our children in cozy blankets. Imagine facing winter with few of these things. You could live in a refugee camp where temperatures plunge at night. Biting winds sneak through the cracks of the makeshift tarp doorway. The cold leaves you shivering, but the hardest thing of all is watching your children go without warm clothing or shoes—knowing you have little money to buy them.
This is reality for many people in Syria, Yemen, and other countries. To many, winter brings a sense of dread. Months of hard work and saving allow some parents to buy clothes for their children, but for others, this is nearly impossible. In refugee camps, employment opportunities are scarce. And no work means no income. No income means no warm clothes.
Omar,* a Syrian father, once provided for his family of five. Then an explosive device detonated near him, leaving permanent scars across his face and body. He was left blind.
But Omar says the physical darkness was not the deepest pain. Even more heartbreaking was watching the darkness that gradually settled in the hearts of his children. He could hear their crying and knew the uncertainty that had become part of their lives frightened them. War had taken away their safety and replaced it with fear.
One day, the family received a box of donated second-hand clothing. The children rejoiced! “The clothes were not simply pieces of fabric. They were a touch of love that helped mend our hearts. They were also a great lesson for my children that goodness never dies,” Omar shared gratefully.
He continued, “I thank you from the depths of my heart—a heart that may no longer see with its eyes, but can see your love. I pray that God will richly reward you for all you have done for me and for my family.”
Ali, another Syrian father, lost his home because of war. The family of four fled for safety, leaving behind their belongings, clothes, and home. “But God is always present, even in the most difficult moments,” Ali told our contact. “He sent people to stand beside us and provide what we needed when we had nowhere else to turn.”
Ali continued, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the persons who sent the clothes . . . you embraced us like a mother, offering us both practical and emotional support when we needed it most.”
Thanks to funds from supporters, needy families like Ali’s and Omar’s can receive bags of gently-used, quality clothing. Your gift can meet a practical need while also reminding a hurting family that someone cares—and that God has not forgotten them.
While we receive about the right amount of donated clothing and kits each year, we have a significant need for funds to ship and responsibly distribute these needed items. If you wish to help with this need, your support will be greatly appreciated!
To help ship and distribute quality used clothing, footwear, comforters, and kits to people in need, please click Donate to give a gift.
