We wanted to share with you what happens the very first day we receive a child at the Methodist Home. The children come to a strange place, full of people whom they do not know. It can be a trying experience for a child. To help ease the tension, we give each child several gifts. Gifts convey messages. Every child receives 5 different gifts:
· A teddy bear – each child gets to select a teddy bear. They have several from which to choose. We ask them to tell us why they chose that bear, and to name the bear. This opens up several conversations with the child, helping us get to know them. At bed time, a new teddy bear to cuddle can be very comforting.
· A beautiful handmade quilt – all their own. Mr. Rumford tells every child that "Every quilt is different and special, just as you are. There is no other quilt like this one – and no other person is like you. This quilt is your keepsake to cherish and take care of, just as you are to cherish and take care of yourself. This is our way of saying we care."
· A Bible – our chaplain visits with each child, and again assures them of their worth to God and to us. We invite them to join us for chapel services and other spiritual growth activities.
· A clothes basket with new linens and pillow – each child receives brand new, still in the package, sheets and pillow. Giving them brand new (not used) linens reinforces their worth to us.
· A new school bag with school supplies – we want our children to succeed in school. The bag communicates that we will supply whatever they need to do well – not just items to use, but also the individual tutoring and support the child needs to overcome obstacles and do well in class.
You know how much children love to receive gifts. What makes these initial gifts so truly special is the fact that many of these children have never received a gift–or anything, for that matter, that they can call their own.
If you could just see the looks on their faces–the wonderment in their eyes–when we hand them their very own quilt, and bear. The child goes back to their cottage, sometimes with more possession than they arrived with!
So, as Day One comes to a close... a child is holding a special quilt and bear, tucked into a safe bed with clean linens. A good omen of things to come...
Thank you to all who help us by donating a teddy bear. A warm and heartfelt thank you also goes out to all of you who make or gather quilts for our kids. Bless the confirmation classes who provide the clothes baskets and linens. How grateful we are to the children’s Sunday School class that brings the school bags, and to all who donate school supplies. You are truly a blessing!
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