Handmade blankets were made for the homeless children and adults of Knoxville. Many of these friends live under the bridges in downtown Knoxville. This project was birthed because a young pregnant couple living under the bridge needed blankets and the only two Water Angels had on hand that day were a U-Haul moving blanket and a tattered, torn, stained quilt. These were blankets few of us would choose to sleep under, yet, it was what this baby would probably be wrapped in upon entering this world. Doesn't this remind you of the entrance of our King in Bethlehem? Because of the disgusting condition of the blankets given to this young couple, my heart was burdened to show the love of God by providing warmth for our friends throughout the cold winter months. What if God's people made blankets and prayed over each one?
Well, we serve an amazing God because He always provides! Through the generosity of God's people, last year we handed out over 300 blankets to the homeless! Two hundred were distributed at the Water Angels service and Shinging Stars. Our family stood under the bridge on Christmas Eve last year handing out the remaining blankets to those outside. There were many standing under the bridge that day in 25 degree weather. One man who received a blanket spent Christmas day with us and has shared many days with our family since then. You never know how God will use a simple act of love!
So, this year, we are hoping for even more blankets for the homeless. We will be heading up this project in Knoxville, but we would love to see this ministry expand to other parts of the country. Would you want to head it up for your town? E-mail me, and I'll send you info. Wouldn't it be incredible if the warmth of God's love spread across our nation?
This is a great service project / ministry opportunity for your family. It would be a great Fall Break family project! Your children will enjoy making these blankets, and last year, even our five year old, Braden, was tying the knots! My 94 year old grandmother made a blanket, and friends at my other grandmother's nursing home tied knots on pre-cut strips. This is something anyone can do to help their neighbors in the community.
Won't it be a gift to give them a new warm blanket for the winter? The average cost per blanket is only $10, and even one blanket will bless one person! Last year one blanket was mis-cut and it was given to a family living at the KARM Mission with their newborn baby. Tears flowed as we placed the blanket on the child.
Here are instructions, so you can see if it's something you would like to do...there is no pressure!
Our desire is that the fleece blankets be 2 yards long x the width of the fleece. Therefore, they will be rectangular - not square as in the photo.
Simply follow the steps. It is very simple. You can use scissors instead of a seam ripper for the holes to pull through or you may simply tie knots at the end of each strip. There is no sewing and the directions are easy enough for a child to follow.
No Sew Fleece Blanket Pattern
If you are planning to make a blanket(s), would you mind e-mailing me the number you plan to make so I can include it in the total? EVEN ONE WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY! These blankets will be distributed on November 7th at the Water Angels worship service at 2:00 pm. We would really like to hand them out on these dates because the cold weather is setting in.
If you would like to help distribute the blankets, I will send you the information. We would love for you to come and help give them to the homeless, but I will need the blankets in hand before then in order to be assured we can provide for everyone in attendance.
Choose any style of fleece you like! Solid or patterned!
Blankets are due by Wednesday, October 27th. You may bring them to the house, or I'll try to pick them up from you. If you can deliver them to me, it will help a lot! I'm running feverishly these days. :-)
Our prayer for this project is:
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Cor. 6-14
Again, if I can count on you, please e-mail the number of blankets you are planning to complete so I will know the total to anticipate. We would also like to hear from you if you might be willing to head this up for your community. If you are unable to help right now, we understand! Please help with your prayers. That's the most important thing anyway! I know God will provide what is needed - He always does! Thank you for your consideration.
1 comment:
This is amazing! I will pray that you receive many blankets. You have such a great heart.
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