Connecting Hearts in LA & Iowa

Connecting Hearts in LA and IA,

Sunday, each team went to worship at the churches where they will be leading VBS this week. Then they spent the rest of Sunday resting, reading, swimming and just relaxing. Monday, the first team was off to their VBS at 6:45. There are two churches with morning VBS and three, have an evening VBS.

Last night, July 13, I joined the team at St. Phillips Lutheran Church. I have been going there for eight years and it feels like home to me. It was a warm fuzzy last night when an 88 year old woman gave me a hug and said, “I’m so happy to see you this year. You are now like our family.” An 88 year old at VBS? Yes. St. Phillips has a unique situation. It is in Compton, CA near the Watts area. It is next to a large retirement home. Some of the residents come to VBS each year. They enjoy the children’s stories and each makes the craft-of-the-day. They love it.

One lady said, “I was never able to go to VBS as a child.” St. Phillips is a warm, loving congregation. You feel the love and caring as you walk through the heavy gate that surrounds their church. Everyone is welcomed with hugs. I have often said that I leave part of my heart with each mission trip.

That also happens to many of the youth who go on this trip. When people from our group return to the same church a second or third year, they are welcomed with running hugs from the kids and “They are here!! They are here!!”

One example was last week when Mac, Jessi and Angela were part of a group canvassing in the neighborhood of the church where they helped last year. They saw two children looking out of a window of their home and said, “Is it them? Do you think they are back?”

The Iowans recognized their LA friends and Mac yelled, “Yes, it is us!” When I arrived at St. Phillips, I was told that Anthony cannot be with us tonight. Many of you reading this know the story of Anthony, 50, who is autistic. He is not able to read or write but God has given him the amazing gift of memorizing scripture and applying it to the right circumstances. He quotes Bible verses along with where they are in the Bible.

How can he do this? He listens to audio tapes or his Mom reads the Bible to him. Mrs. Laurant, St. Phillips retired Pastor’s wife shared an amazing story with us. Anthony started to go to St Phillips in 1972. He was given the responsibility of being the acolyte. He NEVER missed a Sunday until last week.

My understanding was that each Sunday and each year the Iowans were there for VBS, Anthony’s mother dropped him off at church but never stayed, until last summer’s VBS. After that she also stayed for church. Anthony’s Mom called Mrs. Laurant last Wednesday saying that she was going to the hospital and may not be able to bring Anthony to church on Sunday.

After church, Pastor and his wife went to visit her at the hospital and were told she was not there. Someone phoned them and shared that Anthony’s Mom had died on Saturday morning.

Mrs. Laurant said she phoned Anthony and as soon as he heard her voice, he was so excited and said, “ Mrs. Laurant, Mrs. Laurant, I have good news for you. My Momma is with Jesus!!! She died yesterday.”

How many of us shared the news of a loved one’s death with excitement that you have good news to share? Anthony is now in a home for people with special needs and is not able to attend St. Phillips. He is an amazing person. We are making all the crafts for him and are going to send them to him.

Please pray for Anthony.

Ellie Menz