Our Story - Last Updated on 9/25/23

I haven't updated our page of late. In the last year, we have moved from being within $3,000.00 to being down to $350.00 (the last donation hasn't been applied). It hasn't even been two full years since we began our campaign and this blessing has been made possible by each of YOU who have given. Help us reach our final goal of $20,000.00 to cover the cost of the shoes that our Afghan neighbors have received.

Blessings and peace,
Pastor Parky

Update from 9/27/22

WOW! We are moving ever closer to our goal of raising $20,000.00 and it hasn't even been a full year since we started. We are now within $3,000.00 of obtaining that goal. This ministry has been blessed by SO many generous people.

We still need your help, however. If you could share the link to this page on your Facebook page so that your friends can see this opportunity to share, whether you give or they give, let each of you take that to God for direction. Trust His will for making that decision. God has guided this outreach opportunity from the very beginning.

Pastor Parky

We are slowly moving closer and closer to our goal. We were blessed to bless 1,000 Afghan neighbors with a new pair of shoes. Some of those neighbors came to America barefoot and shortly after arrival, we moved into fall, then winter.

We are still working to cover the cost of those 1,000 pair of shoes and YOU can help us reach our goal. We are currently at 63% of that goal of raising $20,000. Would you pray about how God might want you to be a part of this effort and respond to God's calling?

Pastor Parky

We've seen all of the news stories of the past few months about the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the humanitarian aid effort to rescue as many Afghans that were there for our troops as translators, and such. As soon as the first planes left Afghanistan with Afghan nationals, it was announced that some would be coming to Camp Atterbury in Indiana; within five miles of our church.

My initial thought was, "We need to be of help to these individuals." One of my Trustees sent me a message and said the very same thing. That started the ball rolling that led us into communications with surrounding communities and agency organizations that were making a great Hoosier Hospitality effort to provide for their immediate needs; collecting donations of new clothing and personal hygiene products.

The need:

In my communications with TeamRubiconUSA, we quickly learned that many of these new neighbors arrived barefoot. That wasn't such a bad thing at the end of August but now, in October, they are still in need of shoes. Weather in Indiana is much different than it was in Afghanistan for these settlers.

There are 6,600 individuals in this camp, alone, and approximately 40% are children. I immediately reached out to Manny Ohonme and the Samaritan's Feet organization, knowing they could help.

Manny and I have agreed to trust that God will provide the funding needed to purchase and distribute 6,600 pairs of new tennis shoes to each person who has resettled at Camp Atterbury, even if and when they might relocate to a community that is more fitting to their culture. We have the means to get those shoes to them, even if they move on before the shoes arrive.

We are preparing for the shoes to be shipped but we need your help. Pray that God will bless you by being a part of this tremendous effort to "love our neighbors, as ourselves" by donating to this fund raising effort.

How you can help:

These new shoes cost about $20.00 per pair. If you would like to purchase five pairs for $100, or ten pairs for $200, or even 100 pairs for $2,000, you will be a part of the blessings shared out of our love for Jesus to care for those in need.

You can also help us in getting this information out to as many people as possible by sharing the link to the fund raising page with your family and friends on all of your social media platforms.

Thank you, in advance!

Sincerely,

Rev. Mark B. Parkinson

Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Franklin, Indiana 46131