A Day Without Shoes

TOMS SHOES is an amazing company with a simple idea: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good.

This Thursday TOMS SHOES is encouraging you to raise awareness by going barefoot on the way to the water cooler, walking to the mailbox, in an afternoon meeting or on your lunch break; go barefoot for the entire day or long enough to raise awareness. For more information on this great business visit: http://www.tomsshoes.com/

Why shoes?
Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.
Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.
Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.
Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
There is one simple solution...SHOES.
Four of the planet's six billion people live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.

Fact #1: In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to food, clean water and to seek medical help.
Fact #2: Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
Fact #3: Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
Fact #4: In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
Fact #5: Podoconiosis is 100% preventable by wearing

More Prayer Requests

We've got some family needs to lay before our heavenly Father this week.....

- Please continue to remember Kyle Whiting in your prayers. He's out of ICU but is still in the hospital at Loma Linda. He's having trouble keeping food down, is fighting nausea, and has a blockage somewhere in his bowels. There's a possiblity that he might have another surgery because of these problems. Pray for healing...

- Please pray for Flint Myers and the Myers family. Flint will have surgery tomorrow at Redlands Community Hospital for colon cancer. Pray for a successful surgery and quick healing. Pray for strength for his family and for Davina...

- Please pray for Cora Stowe who suffered a stroke last week and is also in Loma Linda University Medical Center. Cora is one of those people who beautifully lives the gospel - let's pray she recovers and heals and can continue to be an amazing example for all of us.

Prayers for Kyle

Kyle Whiting was in a very bad dirt bike accident yesterday (Wednesday, March 25th). He's currently in ICU in Loma Linda and needs our prayers. He was on life support last night but is showing progress today and is currently breathing on his own. Kyle has some fairly severe injuries and will need surgery tomorrow with possibly more to follow. Pray for his healthy recovery, for the doctors who are attending to him, for his mom and dad, his sister Kimberly, and his grandmother Ranel.

APU Night of Champions

We took some of the youth group to Azusa Pacific University's Night of Champtions. Thanks to Brittany Kay for helping to chaperone and drive!

The giant inflatable slide was a hit with all the kids (but especially Jack and Sophie).

This was another crazy inflatable game - the person first to the top was the winner and then everybody else tried to make the other people fall down....I don't know - it was a good excuse to bounce and try and knock people over. Oh, and for the record, Sam Kay was the first to the top.

Did we mention that there were 6 In-N-Out trucks helping to provide dinner to everyone?

Day of Fire performed and the lead singer, Josh Brown, also gave a moving testimony.....

Men Without Shirts - quite entertaining, especially for the ladies. The pictures definitely don't provide enough explanation here, but they are hilarious!

Doing a scene from Titanic.....can you see it?

2008 American Gold medal winner Bryan Clay being interviewed and providing his testimony. Bryan is currently the holder of the title World's Greatest Athlete by winning the gold medal in the decathalon. Thanks to everyone who came out - this event is always inspirational and entertaining.

Revealed Lesson #1 This Sunday!

This Sunday after church we will head over to the Kay house for lunch followed by our first lesson in a Bible study called Revealed. These lessons are similar to the Bible lessons we have on our retreats. This is a 4-part lesson and we will have one lesson every month. And here's an extra bonus - teens who attend all 4 lessons will be rewarded. So check your calendar, clear your schedule and get ready for Revealed!

Birthday Thanks

Well, today was my 34th birthday (as much as I tried to avoid it) and I was pleasantly surprised today at school. Balloons were delivered to the main office and I scratched my head as to who would have delivered something to my school. Michelle, Sophie and Jack had already dropped off balloons at lunch - so this wasn't from them. But when I received my special delivery I realized they came from my youth group! What an awesome surprise! I thank every one of you. This is my first birthday since my father died and I wasn't really looking forward to it to be honest, but you guys made my day much brighter and much more memorable. I am blessed to be your youth minister! Here are some pictures from my day - thanks again and God bless!

Samantha's Sting

Sam is a part of the Junior Explorers that worked a sting to test underage sales of tobacco in the area! Here is the article on the Redlands Daily Facts. What a great example for our youth, Samantha! We're proud of you!

Police note compliance during tobacco sales decoy
Staff Writer
Posted: 03/02/2009 11:05:15 PM PST


REDLANDS - Redlands Police used underage decoys to conduct a compliance check Friday of local businesses licensed to sell tobacco.
Four teams of officers and Police Explorers conducted checks at 69 businesses throughout the city beginning Friday afternoon.

The Explorers, each under 18, were paired with police officers. The minors would enter the business and ask to buy cigarettes. If they were asked for identification, the Explorers would say they did not have it or left it in the car. If asked their age, the Explorers were required to reply truthfully to the merchants.

None of the businesses sold cigarettes to the minors. A similar compliance check last summer resulted in nine citations for tobacco sales to minors. Officer Natasha Crawford, who organized the decoy operation, credited the goal of obtaining compliance through education for the improved compliance.

Businesses that refused to sell tobacco to the minors were commended and also given educational material.

During the operation, Crawford was approached by a man trying to sell bootleg videos outside the Ranch Market, 800 E. Lugonia Ave.

Approximately 200 bootleg videos were confiscated. A report will be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for possible charges.