By RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

My little brother means the world to me. Ever since we were very little I’ve always felt like I needed to be there to protect him. I remember once after school we were hunkered down in the living room of our trailer, watching a thunderstorm outside the front window. It was raining so hard that we couldn’t even see past the front porch. It was times like that when I would get paranoid about tornadoes (being as young as I was, living smack dab in Tornado Alley, it was kind of hard not to).

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by Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

Mark 16:15 ~ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. (NIV)

Stepping out of the airport into the hot, muggy air was quite a shock to me. First time I’d ever been out of the country. First time I’d ever ridden on a plane. First time I’d ever been on a missions trip.

Jamaica was just how I had imagined it. Hot, humid, surrounded by beautiful waters, and full of friendly people. Now, being thirteen years old my first instinct was to head to the beach but, thanks to a stern word from my mother, I was reminded why we were there. (more…)

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By RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

Those who have no sense deride their neighbors, but those who have understanding hold their tongues.

Proverbs 11:12

“Did you hear what she did last night?” The whispers were all about the school. I felt my cheeks grow hot as I clutched my books tight to my chest and hurried away from the two girls who were quietly talking over by the lockers. I felt their penetrating stares at my back as I practically ran down the hall.

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by RTF Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

We’ve all seen those heart-wrenching programs where children in third-world countries walk around looking for something to eat. Have you ever noticed that most are barefoot?

Walking is a primary mode of transportation in developing countries and can be harmful unless the feet are protected. Walking over hard-packed roads riddled with stones and sticks can cause cuts and sores which can easily become infected. Sometimes these wounds even lead to amputation or disease caused by soil-transmitted parasites.

How can this be prevented? By simply giving a child a pair of shoes. (more…)