As a child, Marlene Manning feared that God would call her to be a missionary in a far-off country. Today she embraces the idea.
Manning, a resident of Galva, is preparing to make her third international mission trip with the Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry. In 2006 and 2007, she traveled to Guatemala to deliver shoes, socks and other humanitarian items to children in private and state-run orphanages. This June she will leave for Lima, Peru to visit several different orphanages there.
Manning originally heard of Shoes for Orphan Souls through shoe drives held at her church, First Baptist Church in Galva. When a fellow parishioner went on a mission trip with the organization, Manning sensed that God was talking to her about going, as well. She ultimately felt led to travel to Guatemala in 2006, even though she had only flown once in her life before that.
“It was a step of faith,” she remembers.
A typical day for the mission team members will begin with breakfast and devotions, followed by a bus ride to one of the orphanages. After greeting the children, small toys and other fun items will be distributed.
Next the visitors, assisted by local interpreters, will break into small groups to teach the children a Bible lesson, do a craft, and play games. Following this is the distribution of new shoes and socks which the orphans are thrilled to receive.
Although many have been rescued from the streets or other unsafe situations, a large number of the children still live under harsh conditions in the orphanages.
As a result, the joy of seeing smiles on the children’s faces is one of the main highlights of the mission trips for Manning.
“They are so hungry for love,” she said. “They grab onto you for hugs and don’t want to let go.”
For more of this story, see the April 23 Galva News.
