Some time ago, while speaking at a senior’s convention in Australia, I met some extraordinary women who call themselves the ‘Care to Quilt’ ladies.

 

An increasing number of children in the state of Queensland, Australia, snuggle up each night under a quilt lovingly stitched by this group of dedicated women from Caloundra Church of Christ, located on Queensland’s picturesque Sunshine Coast.

 

These beautiful quilts, worked with skill and much love, go to children who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Confused, lost and alone, these children are given a quilt. Better still, they choose one for themselves. It is a unique and precious gift, for no two quilts are ever alike, and it is their quilt to keep no matter where they go.

 

Incorporated within each quilt are the comforting words of Psalm 4:8 (NCV), “I go to bed and sleep in peace, because Lord, only you keep me safe.” reminding every child that God loves them dearly and has not abandoned them.

 

This lovely idea came about through the vision of one woman, Rhyll McNicol, and the timely and gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. Early in 2006, Rhyll read an article in a women’s magazine, about a quilting group who donated eight quilts to foster children in their town. She was inspired.

 

Rhyll loved to quilt, but was on the brink of giving up and looking for another hobby. As she says, “One can only use so many patchwork items.” Almost every room in her home had patchwork of some description adorning it.

 

She made items for friends and family, and none of them could accommodate more. It seemed a waste of both effort and money to make them, then hide them on the top shelf of a closet, unused and unappreciated.

 

With the stimulation of that article fresh in her heart, she realized she didn’t need another hobby, just a different focus. God challenged her to open her eyes to the possibilities of how this much-loved hobby could be used to bless those most vulnerable in our society; neglected and abandoned children.

 

Not knowing quite where to start, Rhyll contacted the Churches of Christ in Queensland. She discovered that their agency, PATHWAYS was responsible for providing foster care for over 2500 children, from babies to seventeen-year-olds.

 

A question was put to the department staff: did they think any of the children would like a patchwork quilt? Their response was overwhelming. She promised to make one or two and deliver them in due course.

 

Filled with excitement, she shared her vision at a women’s breakfast. Might others be interested? Several were and agreed to join with her. And so ‘Care to Quilt’ ministry came into being.

 

A new service had started in Mount Isa, a mining town in the outback of Queensland, with five boys in a residence, plus two babies of young, single moms, and a new office which needed brightening up. Could things be made for them? Yes! When the first nine items were delivered to head office, the group felt they had accomplished an enormous feat!

 

Eventually stories filtered back about what the gifts meant to the troubled children and their caregivers, inspiring these women to keep going.

 

The group increased in numbers of motivated, skilled women, mostly seniors. Some excelled in design, others enjoyed hand appliqué and embroidery; some spent many hours on their sewing machines, and all became living proof that retirees can still contribute to society, bridge the generations, and remain ‘useful’ no matter what their age.

 

Within the group, great friendships were formed, while women new to church and community found a safe and accepting haven. Some were introduced to Jesus Christ for the first time, while others experienced a deeper personal relationship with Him.

 

A palpable sense of anticipation greets every ‘Care to Quilt’ meeting as the women wait to find out what has been produced from the scraps of material taken home the previous week.

 

A complete photographic record is kept of every quilt made, along with the names of those involved in their creation. During morning tea break, the children who will receive the quilts are prayed for.

 

These women produced 650 quilts for needy children in a little over four and a half years. But that was only the beginning. In 2016 the ‘Care to Quilt’ set an overall goal of 2016 quilts made for the children.

 

The goal was achieved and beyond. By the year’s end they had produced 2040 quilts since their commencement in 2006!

 

For privacy reasons, the ‘Care to Quilt’ ladies do not know the names of the foster children who receive the quilts, but God knows who they all are.

 

A tiny seed of inspiration, a mighty work of an enabling God!

 

What ordinary idea inspires you to do something extraordinary with it?

 

 

 

 

 

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