That is a BIG bite Shelli...don't choke!

Sometimes, we just bite off more than we can chew. But sometimes, if we ask nicely, our friends will come along side us and bite half so that we don't choke.

One week ago I (Shelli) was sitting at a local coffee shop with my friend Shara. We were talking about how its starting to get cold here in Xining, which of course made us talk about the fact that "if its cold here, its REALLLLLLLLY cold in Y.ushu".

If you think about it long enough, one can start to become overwhelmed with concern, fears and worries for our friends that lost their house in the earthquake. Lost their food. Lost their livestock. Lost their family. Lost their everything...

So, instead of talking about it, Shara and I have jumped into "Do Something" mode. But, we didn't have a clue where to start. How do you provide for a city of approximately 40 to 50 thousand people? Two girls just can't.

But, a bigger city / community sure can!

Then, VOILA! A need fell in our lap. It's a starting point at least.

We heard about a town outside of Yu.shu city affected by the earthquake, that has about 1500 students living in a school that is well below the poverty level. Their semester ends November 8th and these kids are going to be out on the street or back with their families. Many of them are going back to nothing, the rest of them are going back to a cold tent or a really poor family that barely has enough to live on. (PS. Most schools in small towns provide room and board)

JUMP INTO ACTION!

So, we sent out an email to the expat community here in Xining to start a coat drive called "Operation Warm Stuff". We're just asking the community to come and donate stuff. If we all pull together, surely we can meet the need of 1500 students. Right? We'll maybe even get an abundance and be able to bless the larger community.

oooooooh! I'm getting excited!!!!!!!!!

If you would like to help, I would suggest giving $$ to Plateau Perspectives. You can reach them by clicking on the "Yushu Earthquake Relief" banner on the left of the screen.

Jia You! (which technically means "add gas"...but translates as "LETS GO!")