The children with their laminated pictures of Jesus with children of all races.

Ways Will Open Several years ago we read about the orphans in Liberia. We were concerned that they had so little when most of us in America have so much. We found that Joy Muir was the contact person in Independence, and so began our “Orphan Project.” With ideas from Joy we started to try to make some small differences for the children. We never imagined that participation would eventually involve saints not only in Ohio, but in Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri and West Virginia. We also received donations from friends of other denominations. Even more surprising than the number of people wishing to help, were the ways that opened up for us at nearly every turn. We would like to share some events.   We were told that the children had few toys, so we wanted to send some dolls for the girls and some balls for the boys.  We wanted dolls with skin colors the same as the children.  It was difficult to find 40+ dolls at any one store.  We happened to go into a store on an errand and found 12 dolls that were exactly what we wanted. But there were only 12.  When we explained the project, the store manager opened a shipment that had just arrived.  We were so happy to see exactly enough dolls and we were charged only $1.00 for each doll. One of our local stores featured small rubber play balls, 12 for $1.00, and so the children could have new toys.  Many kindnesses were shown to us as we worked for the children.  One lady gave us 2 large bags at her garage sale and told us we could have all the good clothes we could fit in the bags for $3.00.  The clerks at the local material store gave us the leftover material at the end of the bolts. The clerk at the Christian Bookstore remembered pictures of Jesus with children of all races and offered to order enough for each child for a good price.  Sales girls gave us discounts instead of marked prices. When we went to buy underwear for the children, we found packages that included extra pairs for the original price.

As the project continued more ways opened up and more people responded.  A dentist offered toothbrushes and small tubes of toothpaste.  A hairdresser donated $100.00.  Wal-Mart sold us shirts for the girls at $2.00 each, instead of the marked price of $5.00.  A principal of a nearby school donated a large box of pencils for the orphanage school.  We were able to find maps of Africa and the United States that could be laminated and sent for the school.  Each of the ways that opened for us was a testimony of God’s interest and help with what some would call everyday events.  We know that God was with us in this endeavor, especially because of one special happening. The phone rang one day and the voice on the other end informed us that an envelope had been found floating in a puddle.  The child who found it, took it home and he and his family took the time to return it to the sender.  It contained a check for a significant amount of money for the orphans.  It was re-sent to us.  There were so many things that could have kept the check from coming to us, but with God’s help, it arrived safely. We haven’t shared these events for any personal praise, but rather to encourage others to find a project and try to do your best. You will find that ways will open for you, too.  The personal joy we have received is not able to be measured. We have made new friends, drawn closer to saints in other branches and have caught a small glimpse of what Zion might be like when we can all work together to accomplish goals.   May God bless you as you find ways to serve.   Norma Wilson Georgia Taylor      and many others

Reprinted from The Beacon, February 2009