I went to my monthly RA infuaion appointment this morning. I was tired and just planned to relax and read and think. Another lady, Melinda, came in to get her treatment and sat in the nearby chair. We started to chat..
Both of us were in wheelcahirs this summer. She had a flareup of RA and couldn't walk. We both talked about the effect of fatigue on us and how it has limited us, keeping us from working full time. She has been a single mother of three for many years so it has been tougher on her.
She did mention that she enjoys volunteering..and that began a very inspiring discussion. Melinda coordinates an outreach in Appleton, helping Hispanics. which is her ethnic background,and other minorities. It is fascinating! Her program helps kids with coats, hats and mittens for the winter as well as providing shoe boxes for Christmas. Different corporations are cooperating and they have helped arrange childcare at the Y while the parents can get some needed health checkups, something often forfeited because of limited funds. Interpretation and classes to help learn English are also provided. In the summer, the volunteers come in and do vacation Bible schools in the trailer parks. Fortunately, Melinda has several trained workers who can help when her health is compromised as it has been these past few months.
I told her how my grandmother used to go out and help migrant workers, bringing them clean, ironed clothes and telling the residents there, at that time living in little metal shacks, that God loved them. My grandmother didn't know Spanish but she worked with a lawyer in one instance to help him get right treatment. I have always beeen proud of that legacy. Melinda said she herself was helped greatly while living in a migrant workers' camp in the 1960's. Her family came up regularly in the summers from Texas I believe.
Then, as our discussion was closing, she mentioned a dear friend of mine Doris Steinberg, who has opened her building in Menasha for Melinda to train and pray with her fellow workers.
I want to be part of this significant work somehow.. Not sure how yet..possibly helping to teach or train teachers for their summer program. She asked me if I ever have written curriculum..
I left energized - not just from my treatment! Such a full circle of something so special. It seems to incorparate so many of the values that are important to me.
Chance encounter? I THINK NOT!
