“Growing up within the Buckner family and watching as Shoes for Orphan Souls has grown since that first collection in 1999 has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I look forward to watching as the Lord’s plans for it continue to unfold in the years to come.” – Ashley Williamson


During these past four years, I have


watched the Lord use the gifts of shoes and socks to work powerfully in the lives of children in need. I am constantly in awe of how he uses the ministry to transform their lives as well as the lives of volunteers, shoe drive hosts, mission trip participants, translators, orphanage caregivers and Buckner employees in beautiful and unexpected ways. Shoes are by no means a solution to the complex problems faced by the children and teenagers we serve, but they are a simple need that we are able to meet. Beyond meeting a physical need, the Lord uses the shoes to open doors around the world for Buckner staff and volunteers


to build


relationships with the kids who receive them. Those of us who deliver the shoes are able to kneel at the feet of boys and girls in orphanages, schools and poverty-stricken communities. As we wash their feet, we tell them how greatly they are loved. One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing the joy in the eyes of the children receiving their new shoes and watching as they jump up to run around, testing them out. I pray each child who receives shoes and messages of hope through this ministry will know they are loved by a God who will not leave them or forsake


them as others in this world have. Earlier this year, our team celebrated the collection of our 3 millionth pair of shoes. It is a milestone that testifies to the Lord’s grace and provision and is a reminder to our team of the names and faces of children whose lives have been impacted by this


ministry in the past 16 years. Growing up within the Buckner family and watching as Shoes for Orphan Souls has grown since that first collection in 1999 has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I look forward to watching as the Lord’s plans for it continue to unfold in the years to come. n


20 Buckner Today • SPRING 2015 ISSUE


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