At the beginning of Lent, our church began a fundraiser for Heifer International, a well-known organization which supplies families in need around the world with education, training, and animals, resulting in food, a sustainable income, and a way to rise above hunger and poverty. Through a vote, our children decided that we would be raising money to purchase several flocks of chicks (costing $20 per flock) and several rabbit trios (two does and a buck—each trio costing $60). For one of our children, Kaya —a kindergartener in our Multiage class—the idea of sending a family a flock of chicks resonated deeply. Kaya helps to care for her neighbor’s chickens and loves collecting the eggs, and she could easily imagine the happiness a family would receive from a healthy flock of chickens and a multitude of eggs. So Kaya decided to promote her own neighborhood fundraiser, producing her own flyer and distributing it throughout her neighborhood and at her bus stop. On the flyer she advertized that she would be hand-painting hard-boiled eggs and distributing them for a donation of $1 per egg or $5 per six eggs. Neighbors were encouraged to place orders so Kaya could plan how many eggs to paint, and she received enough orders to paint four dozen eggs! At the time of her egg delivery, Kaya had raised $53 for our Heifer Project—almost enough for three full flocks of chicks! The energy, creativity, and generosity of this story is truly inspirational and a testament to our children’s amazing understanding of need, justice, and love. To embody this spirit is the Christian faith in action, and something that should be honored, celebrated, and continued in our own lives every day.

God bless the chickens, the eggs, and the children who help teach us how to live in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.

~Jessica