I keep uncovering how God works in such mysterious ways. For example, during the first collection when I was "buried" under 4,000 pairs of shoes from my church and school, I grew concerned about how Flip Flop Fleet would be able to store the MANY shoes that I had acquired, and how they were going to get the shoes to the people around the world in need. As the shoes kept coming in, I received a random email from Soles4Souls, asking for people to donate shoes and where you could drop them. Before this email, I had never heard of Soles4Souls! That opened many different doors for me and I knew that God had answered my prayers.
The next experience that I had was when I shipped off the first load of about 5,000 pairs of shoes. I felt a sense of relief, but felt that I could do even more. I was grateful for the sacrifice and giving of Mr Tim Holtan and On Time Delivery Service for transporting the load to the nearest Soles4Souls drop point in Sheldon, Iowa. The very next day I received a call from my orthodontist asking me to come in to the office, because they had something that they wanted to give me. When I got there I found out that I had won a contest, and received an awesome prize. If you know the Baker Family, we never "win" anything at all. :) I told my mom that I had won and she said that it was God saying "Good job my servant."
The most recent time was just this afternoon after school. At the end of the school day there are announcements that are said before we are dismissed. Well today was a "special" announcement, Mr. Ferguson came on and said "Freshman Claire Baker was interviewed this morning by channel 45 about a shoe collection project that she does. Her segment will be aired tonight on channel 45 at 4 o'clock. Be sure to tune in!" I had absolutely no idea that anyone would say anything about it, especially on the announcements! I honestly thought that my mom had said something to the main office about it. When I got in the car to ask her, she had no idea what I was talking about, and promised that she did not call the school. I still have absolutely no idea who told the office about the interview, but I think that it was really cool and many people were very intrigued. Several people asked me what the project was about, and how they could help.
"To the world you may just be one small person, but to one small person, you may just be the world." Today, I still feel like one small person, but I AM changing the world, one pair at a time!
Here is a link to the news clip and a photo of me with the journalist and videographer. I hope you are inspired to find some shoes to donate!
http://www.twelve.tv/news/newsitem.aspx?newsid=318&newsitemid=17772
