Books, Bikes and Belief

 We just discovered this book store in the heart of the bazaar! We are still a little shocked by how huge it is and how many books there are!

 They even have a children's section. We are hoping to sell our books here. 

 They even have a little cafe inside. It's clean and neatly organized and even beautifully displayed.

 I loved seeing all these people industriously reading and studying!

 These are the girls who showed me this place even existed.

 They call themselves the Sophie Club. They have organized themselves and are taking bikes into the city and trying to sell books and promote reading.

 I was able to join them one day and include our children's books as well. 

 I am just getting to know them, but I am hoping that this develops into some sweet relationships. I am thrilled that these girls want to promote reading. I am amazed that they are riding bikes in the city. I asked the girls what their families thought of this and most of them said they were a little hesitant to see them out in public, but they are still able to go out. These girls are brave and courageous. I am honored to know them. I hope to bring fuel to their fire and encourage them to keep pedaling uphill. 

 They even set up these book shelves and are hoping to start a trade/borrow system. This is revolutionary for this society. This will be an uphill battle as most of the books keep "disappearing." We are hoping that it's because they are being read, but it's hard to know. The girls have been faithful to re-fill the shelves and they are hoping that people will catch on to the vision and help promote it and keep the books safe.

We will be donating a set of our books for every shelf they set up in the city. The girls have big hopes to reach all the neighborhoods and even go into the villages. This has the potential to be a catalyst for real change in this city. I am believing for great things to come out of this!