I'd help nourish Africa's orphans
To the editor:
At this special time of the year with so many blessings of my own, I often think of those who are not as fortunate as I am. My thoughts turn to the little orphans in Malawi, Africa. My dear friends, Mike and Arlene Shanaberger, travel to Malawi whenever they can.
They minister to those poor, little homeless children and dig wells for their villages so that they can have clean water. I have seen pictures from their trips and it breaks my heart to see the kind of circumstances in which these children live each day of their lives.
Arlene and Mike have faced extreme tragedy in their own lives, but they have continued to serve the Lord and have remained faithful to Him.
Arlene's son died a few years ago at a young age in a motorcycle accident. Then just this past year, her other son, who was a senior in high school, died from a heart condition. Although they have experienced any parent's worst nightmare twice, their hearts still go out to those little ones who have never had the love of a parent.
They are a true inspiration to me and to anyone who knows them. Will $100 make their Christmas better? I believe it will. Because of the people that they are, I know it would bless their hearts tremendously to have $100 to spend on their ministry in Malawi, Africa.
Just last year, the orphans were each given a pair of shoes. Some of them didn't even know how to put them on because they had never had shoes for their feet!
The Shanabergers have a passion for those poverty-stricken children who don't even know where or when they will get their next meal. May God bless the Shanabergers and all the orphans of the world, this Christmas and always.
Tina Grim
Sharpsburg
A gift for mom
To the editor:
My father passed away Oct. 30. If I had a $100, I could make my mother's Christmas better. She always made sure when we grew up we had food on the table and clothes on our back. But she never, ever did anything extra for herself. She would have been married 56 years on Nov. 25.
This would be the first time in her life to have money just for herself. She is never selfish and in fact is worried about the man down the hall, as he only seems to have the clothes on his back and is grateful for a "hello" and anything we give him.
Recently my mom gave him my dad's pocket watch so he would know the time. They live in assisted living in Rose Manor in Waynesboro, Pa., on the third floor. They both are never concerned about themselves and never ask for anything.
My mother is Dorothy Gingrich and Tom is on the third floor, also. They both could have a better Christmas if only you could help make it extra special for two different people who are so kind and always do for others without a thought for themselves. If you knew how it would be to be in their shoes!
Thank you so much for a chance to make a better Christmas for two very deserving people!
Deborah K. Wallech
(Dorothy's daughter)
Help MIHI fund party for patients
To the editor:
If I had $100, I could make someone's Christmas better by handing over $100 to Linn Hendershot!
My name is Mary Besecker and I have been working with Linn for the last seven years. We met through a group called MIHI Inc. Linn actually became a very active officer in MIHI and has made a difference in the lives of so many individuals who cannot do for themselves anymore.
About seven years ago, I resigned from being an active board member for MIHI so I could regroup and concentrate on my career and family, but agreed to stay active in helping to raise funds for special needs. At that point, Linn agreed to take over a lot of my duties, but requested I do one thing especially each year for him.
He wanted to start a "Holiday Gala" at Western Maryland Hospital on Christmas Day. Well, I knew it would be a challenge as there would be little staff around as they too deserve time off to be with their families. And where would God come up with the volunteers to assist me with this party?
So, with God's help and our MIHI team, we attempted to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by hosting a "holiday gala" on Christmas Eve.
