Shorewood Christian School

Second Grade Children Make an Impact Around the World

Who would think that popcorn could make a difference in the lives of people in Asia? Some second grade children at Shorewood Christian School, a ministry of Shorewood Foursquare Church, in West Seattle thought so.  Mrs. Beth Gatlin, second grade teacher at Shorewood Christian, shared with her class last year about how they could make a difference; they could have an impact on lives.  Last year, her class chose to help support a non-profit organization, Gospel for Asia. They had learned that the missionaries in India had to walk many miles from village to village and that they were requesting bicycles. This second grade class began selling popcorn after school for $.50/bag to raise the funds for these missionaries.  Their goal was to provide 5 bicycles for these missionaries, at $105/bike.  They met this goal by Christmas last year. 

Now this year, this second grade class is selling popcorn again for missionaries in India, and also to help an orphanage, Homes of Life, in Costa Rica buy Spanish books. The missionaries in India need help to put in wells by their churches.  These wells will provide water for the villages.  Each well cost $1000 to put in.  Mrs. Gatlin explained their enthusiasm, “After last year’s success of meeting our goal by Christmas, this year’s second grade class decided to sell popcorn throughout the entire school year to help the missionaries in India put in wells, but then we learned that the Homes of Life Orphanage in Costa Rica was in need of Spanish books. So our kids decided to raise funds for both projects. The kids love selling the popcorn and are excited that it is their way of giving back and having impact on lives.”

Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian School, stated, “These are lessons that hopefully these children will take with them the rest of their lives.  I believe these children are learning to be world changers, and it starts with caring about others first and giving back.”