Written by Carly Kester
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7).
This is the Bible verse for Saving Soles, a service project that donates shoes and Bibles to Christians in the Philippines.
The project was created to raise people’s awareness of Christians in the Philippines and to drive people to help those in need.
Saving Soles was submitted to the Student Association by Harding students Nick Dean, Chandler Growns, Nick Smelser and Ben Stafford.
The project reaches out to Filipinos who desire to go to church but have to walk miles without shoes. Many also do not have Bibles but long to read God’s word.
According to Smelser, service projects focused on the Philippines are rare because of the country’s large population.
“That is why I want to be a part of starting Saving Soles,” Smelser said. “The group has a two-pronged goal: to educate people about the Philippines and the needs of people over there, and to send shoes and Bibles to people in desperate need of both.”
Growns admits that Saving Soles has made him realize how blessed his life has been.
“We never really know how truly fortunate we are until we lose everything or share in the struggles of those who get by on very little,” Growns said. “This project means a lot to me because it feels like I am helping family that’s much less fortunate.”
Stafford and Dean said they hope the project will raise awareness for people in the Philippines.
“Sending Bibles and materials opens up so many doors to eventually send people there to teach more about the word of God,” Stafford said.
Their goal for bringing the project to Harding is to encourage students and church members to donate old shoes that they no longer need or want.
The project will be going on for a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas break.
Dean hopes Saving Soles will not only benefit Christians in the Philippines, but also the ones at Harding.
“I want to create awareness for our brothers and sister in the Philippines so that we can go beyond a humanitarian aid mindset and develop one of global community and more importantly, one of Christ,” Dean said.
