Giving Gardens

Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to announce its newest Hearts for Jesus Project, “Giving Gardens!” This new program, in partnership with Hope Seeds, Inc., will make a difference in the lives of children in Third World countries where most of the world’s hungry live. The participation of your school, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School in this project will share the love of Jesus Christ by purchasing seeds, planting gardens and feeding families while also providing a sustainable food source for the future.  Materials for "Giving Gardens" will be available in August 2008.

Bethlehem, We Care!

Bethlehem, We Care! will support the Dar al-Kalima Academy in Bethlehem, Palestine.  Gifts will help make a difference in the lives of our friends in Bethlehem as they are shared in the areas of Children, Adults, Resources and Environment – CARE!

Care of Widows: Cows for Kids

Care of Widows: Cows for Kids identifies widows with young children in highly poverty-stricken situations in India and provides a cow for the purpose of producing income for the family.

Hearts for Jesus: Hope for China!

Hearts for Jesus: Hope for China! is making a difference in the lives of Chinese children and adults living with physical disabilities.

Looking for Ideas on How to Give to Wheat Ridge Ministries' Hearts for Jesus Projects?
Take a look at what one girl did to make a difference in the lives of many...

Caring for Widows Makes Turning 16 Sweet
What makes a "Sweet 16" birthday party special?  Is it the cake?  Is it the family and friends?  Is it the cows?  For Kirstin Sandblom of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx, it was all of the above when she decided to request donations for Wheat Ridge Ministries' Care of Widows, Cows for Kids project in lieu of gifts for her 16th birthday party.

"I really didn't need all of the presents I thought I would get from family and friends.  I've received so much from so many people, I wanted to give something back," Sandblom remarked.  That's when her friend and ours, Col. Melvin Butts, President of Redeemer and former Wheat Ridge Ministries Area Representative, suggested the Cows project -- a project that helps widows and their children in India. It was a project that Sandblom had always wanted to support.  Her birthday party was the perfect chance.

The tropical themed party was a gathering of family and friends.  This group partied 'til the cows came home…three of them to be exact.  "I thought we would only be able to raise enough money for one cow," said Sandblom, "but in the end we were able to get three!"

When asked what she would like to tell others who are thinking about giving to a special project, Sandblom said, "It was a very nice feeling to raise that much money.  We have so much, we should really share it with people who are not as fortunate as we are."

Thanks, Kirstin, for a great idea and thanks to all those who gave to the project.  Your gifts are greatly appreciated!

Wheat Ridge Ministries' Hearts for Jesus Projects -- Care of Widows, Cows for Kids;  Hope for China; and Bethlehem, We CARE! -- are great projects for day schools, Sunday schools, Bible study groups and any other groups…like birthday party-ers!