LWML Women: A History of Open & Caring Hearts Marlys Taege Moberg, author of Women in League with the Lord—a comprehensive history of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League and also Lutheran women in world history—relates that ever since its founding in 1942, LWML has responded in Christ's Name to the needs of people in crisis situations. She spoke with Quarterly News Editor Shari Miller to answer some questions about the caring efforts of Lutheran women throughout the years. Has the LWML been involved in relief efforts since its beginnings? Yes! With World War II underway, delegates to the LWML organizational meeting adopted postwar relief as one of the League's first two projects. They wanted to meet "the physical destitution and spiritual needs of Europe's orphaned and dislocated children." As a result, societies shipped tons of food, clothing, medical kits, patterns, bedding (and raw cotton for making bed linens), laundry equipment and a carload of grain. In addition, they contributed $88,262 to cover religious literature, other equipment and special needs. Have any of the LWML mission grants through the years been designated to meet emergency needs? Numerous LWML mission grants in subsequent years have also helped meet emergencies. Here are just a few examples: In 1951, Bethesda Hospital, Ambur, India, needed more space to deal with plague and cholera epidemics. The LWML funded the expansion with $70,000. Grants in 1961 improved hospitals in Wandoor, India, and Yahe, Nigeria. Learning of the lonely, miserable lives of lepers in many countries, the League allocated $85,000 for overseas leprosy treatment in 1963. With thousands dead and millions suffering as a result of a civil war in Nigeria, the LWML supplied $75,000 for Nigerian rehabilitation in 1969. The League has also funded health programs for American Indians, a community health program in Guatemala after the 1976 earthquake, Asian refugee resettlement in Georgia and ministry to impoverished families in Guatemala cities. A portion ($100,000) of the LWML 50th Anniversary Thankoffering helped LCMS World Relief assist some of the three million homeless in the United States. When our nation experienced the tragedy of 9/11, how did the LWML respond? Following the tragic events of 9/11, LWML quilts told New Yorkers that Leaguers care. Recipients included a sorrowful little boy, an FBI chaplain at the Pentagon, those who had lost a loved one in the attack, and others who knew of a child longing for a gift of warmth and comfort. In addition, the gift of 10,000 LWML bears conveyed that caring message to New York children. Pastors and Christian schools distributed the bears to youngsters healing from the trauma of the attacks. What other ways do Lutheran women show their care for those in crisis situations? LWML members who like to knit and sew have provided tiny warm caps for preemies, as well as "Cathy caps" for cancer victims who lose their hair while undergoing chemotherapy. Prayer scarves were created for persons who are ill or frail and need to know that someone cares. Millions of quilts made by LWMLers have brought warmth and the message of God's love to refugees, orphans, widows, and victims of war, poverty and natural disasters around the globe. Individual societies and districts have also shown their care in numerous ways—hosting dinners for hungry people, taking meals to shut-ins, helping at pregnancy centers, "adopting" orphans and handicapped children, and even establishing homes for unwed mothers and group homes for children in need of temporary shelter. How else have Lutheran women shown their support? Above all, Lutheran Women in Mission have always prayed about needs through phone chains and now e-mail prayer networks, at meetings and at home ... unceasingly. And God has answered! Women in League with the Lord by Marlys Taege Moberg is available through the LWML Catalog at 1-800-252-LWML(5965) or on the Web at https://www.lwml.org/lwml_secure/index_catalog.html.