Earlier this week, my camera and I stopped by The Quilt Corner here at Pilot Knob RV Resort; it is a very colorful place!
It was a day set aside to "use up the small pieces". Quilt makers please don't panic when you see what is used for "insides" on some of the quilts the workers in this corner produce.
The white pieces and off white pieces are laid out with care.
The multitude of colored pieces, ready to be sewed together, are not in the foreground today.
All the "scraps" (and you can see how small they really are when compared to the clothes pins) are saved each time a quilt is made.
This colorful chart tells you exactly how many quilts have been made in this corner and distributed to those in need. As of that day, 180 full size quilts had been sent out so far this winter season. (click on the picture to enlarge it and view the impressive numbers from other years) Note also the number of "Shoe Boxes" that have been distributed to children in Mexico. The winter outreach, when these bags full of needed school and hygiene items are distributed, will be January 18th - come along if you are in the area.
but people are always welcome to come and help cut, sew, assemble and tie quilts.
On this particular day, Glee was busy sewing the precious little leftover pieces together
while Marylou pieced together the puzzle that would one day keep someone warm.
The blue points on this colorful map of the world shows some of the locations where quilts have been sent.
On January 7th, there were 13 of us who piled into the white vehicles headed for Algodones. Prior to our departure, we joined hands in prayer; each hand a different shade of white or brown, and all wanting to help.
Suzanne is from Fargo, North Dakota and enjoyed the warmth of the day, as well as the colors of the children's artwork.
The mix of colors, the patience with which the children worked, the concentration and pride - what a joy for all of us involved.
I love the plaid of Jack's flannel shirts and colors the other men choose to wear.
What color is fun and happiness do you think?
The outside courtyard is always filled with color!
Here Jack comes to rescue the red and white cooler that was quickly taken from its spot by the gate and even more quickly became a toy.
The clothes, the big eyes,
the balding head, the book to be read,
the role of tickets, the toys...
Ahh, the colors of our day at The House in Mexico.
Father Duane and Suzanne were my special guests for a couple of days and I know that while the colors may have been enjoyed by their eyes, it was the children that touched their hearts.
The day after our visit to Algodones, we visited the produce fields around Yuma. As we watched men and women harvesting healthy foods for the whole nation, each of us was struck, not only by the colors of what we were seeing, but by the difficulty of the work. When the workers board the bus in Mexico and head for these fields in the early morning hours, I doubt they are thinking of the many shades of green they will see in the field that day.
So today, as you eat that healthy salad, I ask you to think about the men and women who helped bring that produce to your table. Pray always for the children, and the adults, just across the border in the small Mexican town of Los Algodones.
And don't forget to listen when God whispers and respond when He nudges.
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