By Marilyn Tinnin
Five Delta ladies with diverse backgrounds would probably never have crossed paths had they not been brought together by a common hobby and a common desire to serve the Lord by serving His children.
Elizabeth Thacker explains how the “Knit, Purl, Love” ministry got its start. “My sister, Anna Katherine and her husband Ron did a short term mission to Moldova in 2007 with New Hope International. They had planned to return there and work with orphans. I wanted to be able to participate in the mission. Since I was a new knitter I decided to knit some scarves and asked some friends to join me in knitting for orphans.”
That first batch of 37 scarves were so well received that Elizabeth says it was clear from the start they had met a need. New Hope International contacted the orphanages again last Christmas to let them know they had scarves for the children and would like to come to deliver them. They were able to take their drama teams and programs and present the Gospel to the children. “Truly,” she says, “The scarves opened the door for the gospel.”
Each scarf has a special label something like this: Handmade especially for you with love in the name of Jesus by Mattie Green from Indianola, Mississippi USA. “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” (John 14:18). The ladies use many different bible verses and translators say the children have a lot of fun hearing their personal verses.
Although word of Knit, Purl, Love has spread and there are now over fifty women in four states who are part of the effort, the five original Delta ladies each have unique “knitting testimonies” to share! Elizabeth, whose husband is a Presbyterian minister, received hand knitted gifts for her premature triplets seven years ago. She had always wanted to “pay it forward” and bless others as she was blessed. Realizing how bitter the winters are in Moldava, the scarf ministry made sense to her.
Mattie Green was adopted as a child, so the orphan ministry was very appealing to her. As a mother of five, she had been looking for a way to give back to children who were orphans.
Natalie Peeler had been knitting for years, but when she was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, she decided to knit a scarf every time she went for chemo treatments. Each chemo treatment was about seven hours long and knitting made the time pass more quickly. She knitted scarves for all who cared for her during her illness. She is now cancer-free and loves the new venue of knitting for orphans.
Eloise Smith has been knitting for over thirty years. A widow with many hobbies, she basically became a full time knitter for the scarf ministry last year.
Ellen Clayton, a retired librarian, is left-handed, which made learning to knit a challenge in the beginning since there were few left-handed knitters to teach her. This grandmother of five who spent a long career as a children’s librarian likes being connected to children. It seems like a personal mission for her as well.
The ladies will be sending another shipment to Moldova in December. Although they have already sent several hundred this year, they are hoping to have 8000 ready by the December date. “We are open to God’s plan,” says Elizabeth. ..”to see where He opens new doors. God has used this ministry to bless the knitters and the children who are in need of love. A handmade gift from America is of significant value to these children. They also help keep them warm in the cold Moldovan winters.”
Knitters are always needed! For more information click here.