Miss Hipley’s 5th grade class partnered with 2nd grade to create a small bake sale and, in her words, “just let God take over.” The end result was nearly $1,500 collected for their class missionary. Here’s the story of how that happened…
What began as a simple plan to raise about $70 quickly grew when the class noticed momentum—$400 came in almost immediately. While teaching science and discussing the physical and chemical changes that occur in baking, Miss Hipley decided to offer students extra credit for baking goodies to sell for missions. And that’s when things really took off!
Other classes soon joined in, leading to students praying together and selling on both campuses—creating a unified cause for missions. At lunch, middle and high school students noticed the sweet treats and wanted to purchase some too, so the bake sale expanded to include them. Then a student suggested advertising during morning drop-off, prompting a collaboration to create posters. Filled with joy at making a difference, students even chose—without extra credit—to bake more goodies to further support the missions organization in Uganda.
In total, the elementary bake sales raised $1,475 and here is how those funds were used:
$625 - used to buy 18 solar lanterns and Bible baskets for children in a rural African village. The Bible and a solar lantern offers families the chance to read God’s Word even after the sun sets.
$730 - towards the secondary school in the village run by the missionary. This money ended up being "doubled" on Giving Tuesday ( a total of $1460) and the students were introduced to the topic of "God Math" as He can take a little and make it much, much more.
$120 - given to the missionary in the village as a Christmas gift to her. Obviously, with the exchange rate, it will end up being much more in Ugandan currency.
This projected will conclude the least week of school before Christmas. The students are having a "Christmas Around the World" series and they will Zoom with the school in Uganda to sing those students Christmas carols! This meeting happens on Wednesday, December 17.
One student, when asked about their favorite part of the experience, said, “Helping my friends do the bake sale and knowing that people will get a Bible.” Miss Hipsley summarized the experience this way - " I believe God will use this experience in their lives for years to come so thank you to everyone who supported this endeavor."
Praise the Lord for His work through our students in Graham, NC, to help share the Gospel with children on another continent. This is Christian education in action—linking the present with the future for the glory of God!