"Pray for comfort, grace, and healing for those whose lives have been torn apart by HIV/AIDS." That's today's prayer request on our prayer calendar. And there is a beautiful picture of a group of people at Orchard Hill Church who have been praying for and acting in such a way that provides comfort, grace, and healing to children who are impacted by AIDS.
Two years ago, Kara VanderWiel, began to knit and discovered a way that her knitting could bless AIDS orphans. She came across http://www.motherbearproject.org/, a movement that has provided hand-knit teddy bears to over 32,000 AIDS orphans. Kara shared this vision with a group of people at church who have now been knitting teddy bears over the past two years on Sunday mornings during the 9:45 a.m. community group time. It's a beautiful, God-blessed, intergenerational community that has become friends in their hours of knitting...they even trekked to Minneapolis to the Mother Bear Project headquarters to help box up some teddy bears to be sent.
I'm hoping Kara will provide a comment below to let us know how many teddy bears they've made and how God has grown the hearts of the givers. And if anyone wants more information on how to join in this effort, contact Kara at karav@cfu.net.
2 comments:
We have over 20 people that meet each week to knit and crochet to support and love people around the world who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Many of us sponsor a child in one of these countries which is a beautiful thing. This feels like another level. It's incredible to realize that the teddy bears that we make, are actually being cuddled by children in Africa. We are told that these bears are often the only possessions many of the children have. WOW. What a powerful way that people of all ages can directly touch the lives of children so far away. The Orchard Hill group has made over 100 bears.
We often close our gatherings with a prayer that World Vision has put on a bookmark many of us keep handy. Please join us in this prayer:
Dear Lord, Please comfort the hearts of the millions of boys and girls who are orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS and HIV. Bless those who are caring for sick parents. Provide for their daily needs. Give strength to those who care for them. Use us as vessels of Your love to touch the lives of these children who are so precious in Your eyes. Amen
it has definitely been fun to watch your group grow and change in the past few years. this is a great way for people to make a difference in a hands on way.
thanks kara for providing this opportunity!!!
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