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We all have a reason for why we are drawn to service, to mission, to action.
Over the years, volunteers have walked through the doors of Midwest Mission with all kinds of “whys” — why they chose to walk in, why they serve, why they have a smile on their face. When we are blessed to hear their stories, we are overcome with gratitude that God can use all of us, in all walks of life, in everything we’ve gone through, and turn it for His good.
We all have a reason why we started serving.
Maybe we are moved by the good work we see being done in the world and want to join in, or maybe our hearts break for what breaks God’s heart and want to help be the solution. For some of us, we ourselves have received help in desperate times, and want to return the favor. For others of us, we have experienced the pain and trauma of loss or hardship, and want to prevent it for others.
This was the case for Carolyn (pictured left).
Carolyn comes to Midwest Mission with Monticello UMC in Monticello, Illinois. They are a regular group, serving with us almost every month. Beyond that, Carolyn is always knitting sweaters and other handmade items for Midwest Mission. Intrigued by the close proximity to her home, and the lack of a need to mail the items herself, she began serving with Midwest Mission — “No more postage expense. More money for yarn,” she noted with a bright smile and an excitement in her voice.
When Carolyn comes in, she is always dressed in handmade clothes she’s knitted or sewn herself. Her love for making creations was evident, and her love for serving people around the world is brightly shown in her smile and heart. But, we didn’t know the reason “why” she started it all, until she sent us a letter.
The following is an excerpt (with her permission):
“My son was going on a tour to Kenya. I begged him to take me with him. Much to my delight, he let me join the tour. It was a wonderful trip. I saw elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, lions, leopards, and a village for women who had been abused. The women were there with their children. All were making a new life for themselves. They were very proud! They had a school! It was the only school in the area.
“We got to visit the school. Even though the school was a simple structure with few resources, the students were happy and glad to see us. Their voices were music to our ears as they joyfully sang for us. I was especially drawn to an elementary boy whose eyes sparkled as he sang…
“Even though Kenya is on the equator it gets cold there. When I was in Kenya, early in the morning, I would put on two pairs of pants, a long sleeved shirt, and a jacket. During the day, I would peel off layers. Because of my experience, I could see some of the children were suffering with the extra stress of being cold.
“So, I knit sweaters for children, I always knit size 8 sweaters. That was the size my son was when he died.
“I know the heartbreak of having your child die. If knitting a sweater for a child will reduce the stress in a child's life so he lives and his mother doesn’t experience this traumatic event, I will knit size 8 sweaters.”
This is Carolyn’s “why.”
What’s yours?
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