Joy! Salt! Light! by Linda Bailey As Christians we are to live joyfully as salt and light, letting those around us know the reason for our joy is sharing the love of our Lord. The following items illustrate how ordinary people season and illuminate the lives of those they touch. Joy-filled Kits for Kids Iraqi children were the recipients of 311 health kits prepared by the members of Zion, Norridge, IL (SELC). Under the direction of Nona Schipul items were collected, packed and sent to Chaplain Norman Cox in Iraq. These items included socks, underwear, a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap that were packed in individual plastic bags. Nona writes, Please pray for the speedy delivery of these kits; pray for the children and their families; pray for Chaplain Cox that he may share the love of Christ as he distributes these health supplies. This is a Lutheran Hour Ministries project, "Iraqi Children-Precious in His Sight." More than 2,000 health kits have been mailed. If your group is interested in this project or other LHM projects, go to www.lhm.org. A Pinch of Salt! Add a pinch of salt to the recipe for a successful annual retreat. The LWML at Christ in Seaford, DE sponsors annual retreats providing a wonderful atmosphere of sharing and love that encourages spiritual growth. Carol Harris explains, Our retreats begin Friday evening with a potluck supper. After some type of warm-up activity, we plunge right into our chosen topic. Our session closes with a short devotion. A simple breakfast prepares us for our Saturday sessions. By 3:00 pm we're ready for our closing devotion. Plan to have a retreat in your area. Here is the Recipe for Renewal: 7-25 Christian women, all ages 7-25 Bibles 3 or 4 sessions on a thought-provoking topic 1 or 2 community building activities 3 or 4 devotional servings of inspiration and music 1 project to generate creativity and sharing Generous amounts of food DIRECTIONS: Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, mix all ingredients in a large beach house. Add liberal amounts of humor and caring. Season generously with God's love-both His love for us and our resulting love for one another. Bags of Hope Seeds Not just any bag but a specially designed T-top tote bag. Women of the LWML of Pilgrim, Ontario, OR gathered together for a sewing session to make 22 of these unique bags for Hope Seeds, Inc. in Bradenton, FL. Lois Koyston shares, The bags will be filled with seeds and sent on to Haiti for distribution. After emptying the bag, a drawstring can be removed from the bottom and the bag becomes a simple pullover dress for a young girl to wear. The women had a great time with this project. What a creative way to reach out to people of another culture with the love of Jesus. Your group may want to check out the Web site www.hopeseeds.org. Mission Excitement-Bella Vista Style Bella Vista, AK, that is. The members of the LWML sponsored a Mission Fair featuring a journey where participants visited mission fields locally and around the world via hands-on displays, films, testimonies and music. Thelma Sauer notes, A passport was issued to all in attendance. As people visited each display, they would receive a sticker on their passport entitling them to register for a fantastic door prize. People were encouraged to linger at each display exploring and understanding by using the senses: touching, seeing, hearing, and sometimes even tasting. The guest speaker was Rev. Don Johnson, a member of the Makah Indian tribe and Director of the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (U S. LAMP), a cross-culture ministry sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in partnership with individuals and communities in remote Canada and Alaska. This ministry provides Christian education to children and gives volunteers opportunities to personally participate in mission work. Host a mission fair or have a mission emphasis day to educate and encourage support and involvement in missions. Home Health Help Immanuel LWML Ely, NV selected the local branch of Home Health Services of Nevada, Inc. as recipients of their ingathering project. Mary Swetich writes, Boxes of lotion, shampoo, razors, soap, personal hygiene products, toothbrushes, walker and wheelchair bags were donations made by members. Staff members will deliver the products to their patients who need them. Is there an agency in your community that your group could help with small items? Check with them for a "wish list" of needed items. One suggestion is to ask members to bring an item each time they meet. Bertha Bohren, 85 years young, and long time LWML member from Christ Lutheran Church in Creighton, NE is still serving her Lord with gladness. She resides in Creighton Care Centre, a long-term care facility in Creighton, NE, but still manages to quilt and sew-every day. Her sewing machine just "hums" as the day goes on. She still ties quilts and manages her own little cottage industry from her care center room. The women of the Dorcas Guild in Cypress, TX sent 2,443 pounds (144 boxes) of clothing, quilts, kits and soap to Lutheran World Relief.   NEWS REQUEST SPRING 2006 "Open Heart" Deadline: October 1, 2005 An open heart is a caring heart that often has to deal with feelings of hurt, sadness and pain. But consider the joy, comfort and compassion that an open heart shares with fellow believers in Christ and even non-believers. We would like you, the readers, to give us some samples of an open heart. Here are some points to ponder: How do you respond when people are kind to you? How does your group show support for those grieving the loss of a loved one, especially from suicide? How does your group support the poor and hungry in your community? Share ideas of how your group/congregation shows appreciation to those who serve. Send your ideas/photos to: Linda Bailey 1214 Broadway Ave. SW Cullman, AL 35055-4930