Josie Young Translates

A few times a year Josie Young hops a bus to New York City, bags packed. Not packed for a stay in an amazing hotel. Not packed for her at all. Her brother, a cab driver in the city, picks up her.The bags, full of clothing and supplies, get placed in a box and mailed to Dominican Republic. She checked it out, this system. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to do it, and she knows the bags will get to their destination – her mother.When Dr. Lisbet Hanson told her about the Haiti coloring book, and that we were looking for someone to help with the Spanish translation, she stepped up. Last Friday, she came over. We sat on my deck and chatted while she wrote the correct words in Spanish on each of the 12 pages. It seemed so simple but the effects will be far reaching. That’s how God works.Now kids in Dominican Republic can have a big, 8 1/2 x 11 book to color.  They can learn from the books – from the illustrations and the words – how to take good care of themselves so they can have the energy to play, and not live with parasites sapping their health and energy. No kid should live like that.Next time, Josie will have some books to put in that mailer box.

Corpus Christi, Holland, MI

The kids at Corpus Christi school in Holland, MI, were great when I went to visit for a reading last Friday, March 12.  This is the school associated with my Mom’s church. Mom, Toni Mackay, drove me there, sat in the back and listened. She was the best part of this school visit; it was so special to go there with her since we live at such a distance. I hope this honored her.The Pre-K through 3rd grade sat so nicely while I read Little Tucker Two Sticks and Rockin’ Roly Poly. I’d say nearly 90% of them knew what a roly poly bus was, knew where to find one AND knew they don’t pinch, bite or sting.The 6th -8th graders listened graciously to Rockin’ Roly Poly after I acknowledged the reading level was far beneath them and that I’d get to the philosphy behind it all after I’d read. I hope I was able to get across to them how God creates a gift in each one of us and it is our challenge to discover and use that gift for His good purposes. They really seemed to be interested in learning about the coloring books for Dominican Republic and Haiti. One of the teachers really got it when I told the story of seeing the same Genesis verse from Little Tucker Two Sticks on the wall of the church in Guerra, Dominican Republic, where we first distributed the coloring books.If any of you students are reading this blog, remember what your English teacher said about the importance of learning to write. She’s point on. Listen to her! Thanks for being such great listeners that day!

Louis and Sharon Jones

As Steve and I walked around Towne Pointe the other night, we wandered into Jones Art Gallery. What stunning work! We got to talking and we stayed a long time. At one point, I shared with Louis the challenges of self-publishing: how self-published works are looked down upon by those in the industry, how I’ve been repeatedly told that a “real publishing house” would pick up my books if I’d just take God out of them. I told him how I couldn’t do that; it was selling out at many levels. He had a simple, powerful response: “If you take God out of your books, it’s like taking God out of you.” That won’t happen. Thanks, Louis, for the insight and conversation about God. Conversations with God, anyone? http://www.jonesart.com/conversations.html

Take it to the MACS makes plush roly polies

Natalie Grayson and her team of workers with special needs at Take it to the MACS in Chesapeake made 100 plush roly polies a few months ago, to sell with Rockin’ Roly Poly.I delivered the fabric and the instruction sheet, after having made a prototype on my sewing machine. The fabric is gray flannel so it’s soft. The faces is embroidered and each one is filled with pillow stuffing – so they are safe!Stephen put them in the bag and placed them gently in my car. They really did a great job and each one, since it’s hand-made, looks a little different; explaining this to a child when he or she receives this book, is a great way to teach children how we are all made with love and each one of us looks just a little different.People have loved the polies as a companion to Rockin’ Roly Poly  so much I only have about 15 left! Gotta get some more business for Natalie and the gang, so need to sell more books!! Please check them out at www.ToTheMACS.org and consider sending them some work from your business!

Buy one, send one

We  are going on another medical mission trip to Dominican Republic June 19-26.  We’ll  join our team from Galilee Epsicopal, under the leadership and direction of Dr. Ben Carey and minister to the village of Guerra.It is our goal, like last year, to bring 400 coloring books along with at least 2 coloring pencils per child. This time, since our team and its backers do provide anti-parasite medication, the group voted to bring a Spanish version of Janbatis ak Jozyann Refe since the book is about the hygiene measures kids need to learn to ward off re-infection of parasites after they’ve received the medication . A local woman who grew up in DR will assist with the translation, and Dawn Stephens will be in the wings with her artist’s tools, waiting to make any illustration tweaks.One part of our journey to Guerra is flying  into Santo Domingo. A Physicians for Peace doctor who runs a clinic there, Dr. Lopez, read the Creole version when Dr. Hanson showed it to him the week of the earthquake, as she left Haiti through DR. He liked the book and saw it as a strong educational tool for the families who go to his clinic. So, when I print the books for our team, I’d like to print more for Dr. Lopez.There are a few challenges.In order for me to print, say 1,000 books, I need to raise about $1,000-$1,500. One way I thought of doing this is to donate from Little Tucker Two Sticks sales, one book for each one sold;  anyone who buys a book sends one to a child in Dominican Republic. Not to sound too commercial or advertising-esque, but it’s a BUY ONE SEND ONE deal.The other challenge is transportation/delivery. When we take our books on our mission, we’ll have just enough room to pack our books. We each take one suitcase of personal items for the week and another packed with 50 lbs. of medications. That leaves no room for Dr. Lopez’s books. Well, you might say, “Just ship them.” Sounds logical and easy, but it is not at all. Not for a third world country.  We cannot be assured through what we consider the typical mail/shipping process that these books would arrive. Even if they did arrive, it would be a longshot that they’d reach their destination.Today Dawn and I met with Monika at Physicians for Peace. They are very open to looking for ways to help out.Meantime, the clock is ticking. So far I’ve sold 2 books. $1,498 to go!

Little Weed Flower to publish in September

Little Weed Flower, illustrated by Pamela Barcita, written by Vicky Whipple will be printed by Raven Tree Press in September. Over the years, I’ve helped Vicky with the writing and editing. She’s my first JAMSBooks consulting client and it’s a smash hit! Award-winning illustrator Pamela Barcita is an award-winning soul – talented and kind. Jose Barcita, has a keen, experienced eye for design. What a dynamic team! Check out the Barcita’s website for a sneak preview of the illustrations: http://barcitaandbarcita.squarespace.com/portfolio/childrens-book-illustration/