She's Been Praying For Toothpaste

Today I delivered 6 boxes of clothing to Anderson and Anita Huggins (Prosperity, SC) - The clothing was from a lady in Newberry named Dorothy.

I saw an article in the Newberry Observer in late March about a lady named Dorothy and her mission to collect clothing for Haiti. I contacted her and offered to take some of the clothing for the orphanage where our son came from in Haiti. I met with Dorothy a couple of months ago and got 8 boxes of children's summer clothing and I put it in our mini-warehouse. I didn't have a set date on when I could get the clothing to Haiti, but knew that it would go someday (hopefully soon) in some way...

Today I went to the bank and the teller (who knew of my involvement in Haiti) told me that her church was collecting items for Haiti and they were giving them to Anita and Anderson Higgins for their August trip.

I had met Anita in Walmart one day and she gave me her business card for MISSIONS OF LOVE. Several people had mentioned that I needed to meet her and one day we were both in the pharmacy...she knew who I was because of Clifford.

I dug out the business card and gave her a call. I offered her any of what we had in the warehouse. I hesitantly asked her if she could use toothpaste and toothbrushes, doubting that anyone could use that much toothpaste. I could almost see her smiling through the phone...she said, "those are the two things that I haven't been able to get". We made plans for me to take the toothpaste, toothbrushes, and children's clothing to her house today (Monday June 21).

They are packing barrels this week and next and they will take them to Delray Beach, FL where they will be put on a cargo ship, with Haitian American eyes watching over them all the way to Haiti. They will be delivered to the island and will be ready to go when Anderson and Anita arrive in Haiti in August. The items will be taken to the 4 orphanages that they serve and the toothpaste and toothbrushes will be placed in ziplock bags with other personal hygiene items and they will be passed out until the team runs out of bags!

The Higgins' have been missionaries to Haiti for 11 years. While we were sharing Haiti stories, I passed a box of toothpaste to Anderson and he stopped with his hands on the box and he quietly (almost reverently) shook his head and said..."She's been praying for toothpaste."!!!

We had so much toothpaste because that was one of the supplies that we asked for in Feb...4 dentist offices donated toothpaste and toothbrushes in addition to the brushes and paste that were donated from individuals. We packed as much of it as we could and just stored the rest for future trips.

Some of the toothpaste was sent to WV to Michael's brother's mission and it will be given to the homeless of Huntington. We still had 5 boxes of toothpaste and brushes that had to be stored...I wondered how in the world we would get it all down there

Above you will see a picture of Anderson and Anita Higgins holding the toothbrushes and paste and a box of children's clothing that Dorothy collected.

As an aside, Dorothy is still getting donations and is considering starting a clothing closet for the needy of Newberry. She was interested in hearing from anyone who could get her in contact with someone who has a place where she can store the clothing in boxes. The boxes have overtaken the sanctuary of her church.

Even though we can't be in Haiti, it is so wonderful to be a huge part of helping others go!