My missionary journey started with a clothing drive and a school poster. The way my parents supported my small efforts led to a dream I am still living today, serving orphaned and vulnerable children full-time.
Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin” (TLB). When encouraging children to use their gifts for others, don’t measure the size of the project, or who it will help. As Pastor Andy Stanley said, “Do for one what you wish you could do for them all.”
Think about what interests your children and how you can help them turn that gift or skill or energy into something they can share with others. Below is a list of projects I’ve seen kids create as they have advocated for orphaned and vulnerable children. Maybe one of these will inspire an idea that energizes your children and turns your ministry into a place of blessing.
- Kids bought seeds and planted them, tending to them until they were small vegetable plants/flowers. They then sold them after church and sent the “seed money” to a missionary to invest in vulnerable children.
- One girl hosted a book swap. For every two books you donated, you could take one home for free. The rest of the books she sold for $2 each and sent the check in for a literacy project at an orphanage.
- There was a boy who hosted an X-box tournament, with a $10 entry fee. He asked local businesses to donate prizes and then donated the money he raised to a marginalized community.
- Weighted blankets have a scientific effect on children with sensory deprivation. They are expensive to buy, but not complicated to make. Some students had an all-night marathon and made weighted blankets for all ages which was a huge benefit to the kids who received them.
- Kids can work lemonade stands, bake sales, and “dirty water” stands (where they served drinks slightly colored with ice tea powder and educated people about clean water needs around the world). These generated funds to provide clean water to those in need.
- I’ve seen kids host movie nights with small admission costs, and “concession stands” available. They paused the movie for an intermission to share why they were raising money.
- Older teens can host a Parents Night Out event, where they watch kids at a church and the parents’ babysitting fees went towards a chosen cause. Be sure to communicate that cause to the parents!
- Several groups have held “Penny Wars” where teams are pitted against each other (girls vs. boys, 3rd grade vs. 4th grade…) If you put in a silver coin, its value counts in points. But if you put in pennies, it subtracts points. Kids quickly start putting silver coins in their team’s buckets and pennies in their opposition’s buckets. The winner at the end gets a pizza party, or some prize or recognition. And the money is donated to a good cause.
- Two young sisters started a soap making business and donated their proceeds to orphans.
There is no end to the creativity of children! As you teach them about sharing who they are and what they have with others, you’ll be investing in them, and they will be telling stories about their exploits the rest of their lives.
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