“Would those around our church miss us if we were not here?” Efoui Abotsi, adult Sabbath school leader at Omaha Memorial Church asked. “What can we do to let our community know Jesus?”
It was a thought-provoking challenge that stuck with me for weeks. As I contemplated his questions, an idea began to formulate in my head. I had seen an article in the conference newsletter about a church in Great Bend that had made shower baskets for new mothers. Why couldn’t we do something similar?
The Holy Spirit would not let me rest. Marilyn Caughlin, personal ministries leader, inspired me again when she shared these thoughts one Sabbath: “The Carpenter’s hand, the touch of Jesus. They must have been rough, the hands of a carpenter. But, Oh! What gentle hands! What powerful hands! The hands of Jesus. Our God is a hands-on God. With His hands He formed man from the dust of the earth. The trace of a single finger could restore sight to the blind, heal a leper, and bring life to the dead. Jesus wasn’t afraid to touch others. Leprous skin didn’t repulse Him. He did not hesitate to wash the feet of His disciples or touch the eyes of the blind beggar. And He wants to use our hands to send the same message of love, humility and acceptance.”
I shared my ministry idea with Marilyn, and Agape Blankets was born.
The Holy Spirit reminded me that this is God’s project, not mine. I understood this to mean it will “fly or die” on its own. Even when I journaled the names of the “giants” blocking this project and petitioned God to remove the obstacles if it was according to His will, I really had no idea what a faith building and spiritual exercise I had signed up for.
As the skeleton idea began to flesh out, I began to see doors opening:Church Board approval, a 60 percent off sale on fabric, and growing interest in the church. Just when I thought the giants were falling, an unexpected giant appeared: we needed to find a home for these blankets.
My mind went to the children who are taken to a safe place because something went wrong in their home. They don’t know why they must leave—all they know is they are being taken from the people they love and cannot take their doll, truck or stuffed toy with them. I pleaded with God to find a trusted authority who could distribute the Agape Blankets to the little ones at risk.
God did remove all the obstacles. Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in Omaha became the home for the Agape Blankets for children at risk. Church members showed up to pray over the blankets as they completed them. Coloring books and crayons were volunteered along with funds to purchase the fleece fabric. Since 2015, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has received 185 blankets for children at risk during the year and during the holiday season. During the past two years, we have even repurposed scraps of leftover fabric to make lap blankets for the elderly living at Maple Crest Health Center in Omaha.
I echo Marilyn Caughlin’s comment: “Our God is a hands-on God. And He wants to use our hands to send the same message of love, humility and acceptance.” I praise our Lord for all the willing hands and willing hearts that help this ministry fly!
Pauline Blumenthal is a member of the Omaha Memorial Church in Nebraska.
