Stuffers and Puffers

It certainly has been an interesting week. A friend and I attended a workshop on Friday in which we learned how to make the plastic bag mattresses that I spoke about in prior blogs We arrived at Mission Bell on time, expecting a few ladies stuffing mattresses. What a surprise was in store for us. The folks there usually have 2 workshops a year - so the room was full of men and women with all sorts of activity going on.  We were assigned to be stuffers - stuffing approximately 900+ plastic bags into tube sewn into single size mattress made from  upholstery fabric. So - we took about 3 bags, pushed them into tube section of the fabric, and used a stick to push them to the end. The idea was to pack them in very tightly, creating a firm but comfortable mattress. No problem - yeah right. Halfway through I thought my arm was going to be permanently injured from pushing the bags. Then of course, you have to pound the tube every so often to make sure all of the lumps are out. While this is going on (it took me a bit, then I worked like a pro), the fluffers were busy keeping up with us, fluffing plastic bags ,making sure they were clean and empty. Everyone worked quickly and but not quietly. Sounds of fluffing, shouts of "we need fluffers ), the pounding of the sticks as we flattened out the lumps - whew, what an experience. After we completed a mattress (3 of us worked on one together), we were invited to take a break - snacks and beverages. All this time, pounding, fluffling, and shouts were going on! As each  mattress was completed, a sewer was at work sewing the ends shut - wala - a completed mattress. The group  usually makes about 25 to 25 mattress at a workshop, so no need to try to count how many folks were there. - lots of them.These are the same mattresses that we received from them for the bunk beds in the colonia that Fred made for the shed/bedroom addition. What a fun time - we must have done OK as we were invited back in March for another workshop, provided they have enough bags saved up again.So you see, another way to serve a mission - save your plastic bags, or as we call them "Arkansas windsocks".


                                       

fluffers at work

 getting our assignment

looks like a pro

husband and wife team

 my stuffer teammates

Zoe pounding (with force)

 first one stuffed and almost done

break time with completed mattresses

our first one done

Out next door neighbor Marian is a cousin of Fred's - somewhere down the line. As young marrieds, we used to pal around together, our daughters played together (3 for her, 4 for us) got together for parties, played cards, etc. Then lost track for awhile and brought back together through the efforts of Marians's husband Ed, now gone on to the Lord. Marian still comes to the Valley every year through the efforts of her daughters.This year the "girls" of the family, daughters, granddaughters, sister and aunt,  ( even one grandson) decided to come to the Valley for a visit. We got a chance to interact with them, catch up on their lives so far, etc. What a wonderful time - especially for Marian and her crew. All the arrangements to fly, drive, etc were taken care of, although the storms in the North delayed some of the visitors. Marian took them to all of the points of interest, flea market, Old McAllen with it's junk shops,S Padre Island. etc. as well as all of the great eating places. Quite an accomplishment to get the group together for all of this. One night they went to the hall for a country dance band, and made a hit with everyone with all of their energy. So much fun to be around. All of them except the sister left this morning for Wisconsin, Minnesota, San Antonio, and California. Poor Marian must be totally exhausted, but a fulfilling type of exhaustion. 

The church we attend here in the Valley is having a Capital Campaign to raise the money to pay off the building of the new sanctuary and all that was needed for it. The idea is to raise enough money to pay off the mortgage in 3 not 15 years. As a result,the last few sermons have been on giving and the joy of giving. I must admit that even though the focus was the heart of a joyful giver, the sermon did have wonderful points for us to know. What has God created since the beginning of creation? The answer is nothing. God has chosen to work for creation through us. He certainly does not need us, but we need Him. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God  asked them to do two things: give offerings and build Him a temple. God does not need money - He needs our willingness to use what He has given us for His glory. Where did the poor Israelites get the money, gold, jewels, and everything that was needed to build a temple? They went to the Egyptians and asked for it when they left Egypt. God provided for them , although at the time they did not know why they needed all these riches. We marvel at that often when we are donated some items or items to Caring Hearts Ministry and wonder wha tin the world are we going to do with that? Within a day  or two the need arises for exactly the items we received - as when we were donated four single mattresses - what do we do with them?. The next day Ida called and said she located a family who were sleeping on the dirt floor - a family of four!! God chooses to work through people in order for them to build a relationship with Hum as well as giving them an invitation to trust Him and His provision. Trust in Him always and do not lean on your own understanding.

As well as being a great day in the house of the Lord, we were treated to a breakfast at church -bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, orange juice, and coffee, as well as sharing this meal in fellowship with others.