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As we prepare for the arrival of our newest grandchild, I asked Harry to find the teddy bear quilt. It was a quilt that my aunt gave me when I was going to have my first child. I’ve had it packed away all these years quite carefully. What could a quilt possibly mean to a child?
Before I went to the orphanage in Kaliningrad, Russia the ladies at Wolf Lake UMC decided that they wanted to make blankets for all of the children at the orphanage so that they could have something that belonged to them. We made 40 quilts, afghans or fleece blankets of varying sizes and colors and shipped them to arrive before we got there.
We distributed 33 quilts to the kids. Some of them liked them, others gave them to another relative as a gift. They were very well received. The day after the quilt distribution a small boy about 6 years old and his sister about 9 arrived at the orphanage for the very first time. The little boy was so scared that he wouldn’t let go of the social worker’s hand. Our group wondered how we could communicate to him to ease his fears. Then I remembered the blankets. I dug through them until I found a Finding Nemo blanket and gave it to the boy and we explained that was made just for him. He hugged the blanket and said, “Spasiba! Spasiba! —- Thank you! Thank you!” His smile said it all. He let go of the social worker’s hand and even started to play with the other kids.
One gift, made with love can truly make a difference. This Easter as we celebrate the gift of life that we received through our living savior, Jesus Christ, take a moment to tell him thank you. Give a gift of love to someone without expectations or strings attached and see how God blesses you both through it.
Happy Easter! He is Risen!
Pastor Bev Williams
Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay in love with God
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