Colorful Support - A Review and Giveaway

After reading of my affection for the people of Guatemala, Heidi approached me about this adorable coloring book and an opportunity to support a ministry in Guatemala City. Casita Benjamin is a daycare ministry to the poor living near the city dump. Many of them are single mothers who must find some kind of work in order to simply feed their children.  Casita Benjamin steps in as a place where the children can stay in a loving, interactive environment. They receive a good lunch, normal preschool type activities and most importantly, the chance to hear about Jesus.

Having spent time over two summers in Guatemala, I know first hand how impoverished parts of Guatemala can be and yet it is full of beautiful people – strong and resilient. Ann from A Holy Experience recently went to Guatemala and actually spent time in an area quite near Casita Benjamin. You can see her photographic journey through the neighborhoods around the city dump here.

Although Casita Benjamin sometimes receives a small fee from parents, they rely mostly on external support. Heidi just returned from her second stint down at Casita Benjamin with a passion to publish a bilingual coloring book drawn by one of the other workers, Patty Gomez. Each of the 24 pages contains a drawing to color that clearly illustrates a specific Bible verse.   

After hearing so much about it, I couldn't wait to explore the coloring books that Heidi graciously sent for us to review.  In preparation, we pulled out our globe and found Guatemala again. 

And their reaction when the coloring books arrived:

...an almost palpable excitement.  They sense something different about this book.  There is a history behind it.    

They each carefully select a page to color. Seeing the picture really helped God’s Word come alive in a fresh way.

In addition to reading them the verse in English, I read it to them in Spanish and we discussed a few of the words.

The boys are super excited to send a copy of this book down to our Peruvian Compassion child, Ittiel. As I mentioned a few months back, the boys have enjoyed writing back and forth with Ittiel. They find it thrilling to think that he will color the same pages as they do…

This coloring book would be perfect for:

• Any young child – giving them an easy to understand picture to represent a verse.
• For any child learning Spanish.
• As a gift to a sponsored child in a Spanish-speaking country.
• As a gift for a friend, grandchild, niece/nephew etc. It would pair well with a set of colored pencils.
• That long road trip this summer.

Heidi is taking care of receiving payment and shipping the coloring books out. You can read her story and find contact/purchase information here. All of the money to cover the printing costs has already been provided, meaning more money from these purchases goes directly to Casita Benjamin. At a requested donation of $5/book, this is an opportunity you can’t pass up! And of course anything above that amount would be a huge blessing to the children at the center.

In celebration of this opportunity and to help spread the word about Casita Benjamin, we’re having a GIVEAWAY!!!!

That’s right, I have two coloring books to giveaway. (Limited to US and Canadian mailing address only.)

The first name I draw will receive both a coloring book and a set of amazing Lyra coloring pencils. I’ve blogged about them before and we use ours ALL THE TIME. Sonya at A Toy Garden has graciously donated a set of 12 Lyra Color Giant pencils ($23 value). The color is vibrant and beautiful. The thick shape makes it easy for young hands to hold and write. They’re easy on big hands too! I snag my kids pencils all the time!

The second name I draw will receive a coloring book.

Winners will be selected on Friday evening, February 5th!

Here’s how to enter:

• Simply leave a comment!  

For extra chances to win:

• Link to this giveaway on facebook – one extra entry. Leave another comment letting us know.
• Link to this giveaway on twitter – one extra entry. Leave another comment letting us know.  Include your twitter name!
• Blog about this giveaway – 2 extra entries – leave two additional comments.

A Huge thanks for Heidi for putting this project together.

And thanks to A Toy Garden.

My boys have loved each item they’ve received from this family-owned business. They have the best prices around on playsilks and sell so many other beautiful imagination inspiring toys. Be sure to stop by and take a look.