New Bags and Skittles

I wrote most of this blog update in my head while trimming the hedge in front of Charis House last Sunday afternoon. It was one of the first days we have had this spring where the sky was blue and the french doors that open in the House living room were wide open. Residents were walking in and out, taking turns making pots of tea for us all and sitting on the bench in the front garden. Little 3 year old resident Abbye, was diligently removing individual toys from the living room, bringing them outside with us, playing for an average of 1-2 minutes and then dragging them back just inside the french doors, where quite the pile was accumulating. Old resident, Trudi, and her daughter, Christina, had called around for a cup of tea and were sharing stories of recent events that invoked big fits of laughter with the some of the other residents. The residents soon dwindled from sitting about in the front garden, and just as I was about to head back inside I found a good crew of them walking out the House doors, each of them proudly displaying a brand new, beautifully colored bag.

The week before I had received a package that filled my heart with complete joy. A women's group at St. Davids Lutheran, my church from home, had taken on the project of bag making. They started this project before I began my time in England, but they very generously incorporated the selling of the bags to raise support for my time here. There were some bags left, and a women from the group, Dina, mailed a HUGE box filled with all sorts of bags right to my house here in Buxton! They came with instructions to give them out at Charis House, but to make sure to share a hug as well : )

I had given the bags out on this particular Sunday right after lunch. The women LOVED them. I brought them in all on my arm, put them on the dinning room table and said these are for you. It was a perfect opportunity to share that they had come from people who didn't know them, people who had spent time and effort and money into creating, but then offered them as a gift to women over the ocean. For many that come to the House, they are forced to leave most possessions in the life they have left behind. I've noticed that gifts, no matter how small they seem, can be really appreciated. The women tried on different bags, admired, and then tried on another. Then came the hug fest. It is funny, because hugging is not something the English do very often, especially at a refuge like Charis House. For most all the women, I asked first, but then was meet with huge smiles and big hugs. It was an opportunity to share, not only the love I have for each of them as people, but also the love sent from women oceans apart for each of them as children of God. I am so blessed to have been the hug deliverer.

I have to dedicate a whole paragraph to the skittles. Inside each bag was a small Bible, a packet of Wild Berry Skittles, and some chewing gum. For some reason the skittles became the topic of conversation for a significant amount of time. We sat around as residents Louise and Carissa discussed the packaging, the flavors, and then read the back of the packages. They were so excited that they had traveled all the way from America! Louise exclaimed, after reading the back, "Aubrey! These were made in New Jersey!!!" The skittles were a success.

That Sunday night we had dinner together. And when I looked around the room, I almost cried. There were bags everywhere. Bags that had been used for a late afternoon picnic with the children. Bags that had been used for shopping trips to the local stores. Bags that had been used to carry baby nappies, bags that hung on the back of pushchairs, and bags that the children had filled with Charis House toys and were carefully dragging around the room. The whole day felt like a beautiful picture being painted by God. It was a Sunday. Although I was unable to attend church, I did spend it praising God and thanking Him for creating both people who need a bag and a hug, and for people who are so willing to make bags and send hugs.

Gods Peace to each you this June. Sending you a hug from me with a smile and encouragement to eat some Wild Berry Skittles and continue your prayers of thanksgiving for bag and skittle moments at Charis House!

Aubrey