Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Energizer Betty: She Keeps Going and Going and Going....


Betty Miller has done it again. We can’t keep her down and she won’t slow down. Betty has outdone herself by hand-making more quilts for children in Africa. Children from the area of Mayenjane in Swaziland were the most recently blessed with the beautiful quilts. Mayenjane is like many of the villages and communities in Swaziland; poverty is the norm, HIV/AIDS is common, and many children are left to fend for themselves. The good news? Love prevails. And in October love arrived in 2 large boxes.

The children most in need in this area visit the Mayenjane Care Point for a meal each day and 20 children attend grade 1 at the care point. (Grade 2 will be added in 2010.) On the day the quilts were delivered it was cold and raining. The grade 1 students were inside, staying warm and dry as long as they could while they anxiously awaited their special surprise. The children could not stand still as 2 large boxes were carried through the door. They wiggled and squirmed, giggled and squealed as they moved closer, wanting a better look at the boxes that held unknown treasures inside.


As the boxes were opened and the quilts removed, the children’s eyes lit up. And when they were told they would each receive their own blanket to keep they began to scream with excitement and joy.


The children prayed and sang songs to thank “Grandma Betty” for their priceless gifts.


Betty has made hundreds of quilts for children in need around the world. Her hands have touched every piece of material, every inch of thread. When the children are wrapped in their quilts it’s as if Betty’s loving hands are wrapped around them, holding them close, comforting them, keeping them warm. Betty’s quilt may be a child’s first time to know love.


Thank you, Betty, for ensuring love prevails. Thank you, Betty, for choosing to Live in Love.