Thy Word Have I Hid in My Purse!

I was given an incredible, life changing, totally unexpected gift in Montgomery, Alabama several weeks ago. After finishing my first message of the conference, a lovely woman named Carol introduced herself to me. After our introductions, she grasped my hand and placed within it a small piece of equipment wrapped with dangling ear phones.

Before I could even ask, Carol began to explain. She told me that she, like me, lost the majority of her vision as a teen-age girl. She quickly skipped through her inspiring story and then instructed me to place the earphones in my ears. As I did, she then reviewed the key pad on the face of the tiny unit with me and told me to push one of the buttons. I followed her instruction and then, as I began to listen, I forgot I was standing with a new friend named Carol, I had no idea I was in Alabama, and if you had asked me at that very moment to introduce myself, I would have forgotten my own name!!

Why? Because I was transported to a place of pure pleasure. I was enraptured by a voice belonging to someone named “Precise Pete.” What I was listening to awakened a tender impulse and a cherished desire within me.

Pete read from the book of John in a digital voice, but, to me, it was music! It was the lyric of my life and the melody of my heart and it was small enough to hold in my hand so it would be easier to hide in my heart! It was called the “Bible Courier.” It was the size of a deck of cards, and it contained the whole Bible! I took out the earphone, bragging about how wonderful and handy the Courier was and reluctantly handed it back to Carol. “No,” she protested “it’s for you...God led me to give it to you, it’s a gift.”

I tried to refuse even though I wanted that little Bible with all my heart. “You can’t give me this, you need it. I will buy my own when I get home!” I tried to convince her, but, to no avail. I knew I was contending with a determined blind woman, and since I am one too, I graciously accepted her generosity.

By the second leg of my flight home, I had listened to several books of the Old Testament, ignored my traveling companion, and mastered the new little Bible that was small enough to hide in my purse.

I wish I could put into words how much I love this new digital Bible. I wish I could explain how grateful I am to God and Carol for opening up my world with His Word.

The Courier gave my thoughts wings and a reason to fly.

You see, I am grateful I can listen to the Word on my computer, but, it's way too heavy to travel with. I love having the Bible on CD and cassette, but, those formats are much harder to navigate and impossible to use to find specific verses.

This format, though, gives me instant access, easy navigation, and it eliminates any excuse I could have ever had for neglecting the Word! Besides, since I received it, I listen to the Word all the time. I sit in church with an earphone in my ear and the Courier in my purse! I wash dishes while listening to Hosea with the Courier clipped to my pocket. I fold laundry, walk the tread mill and fall asleep listening to the Word. How could I ever ask for more?

John Adams once told his son, John Quincy that he would never be alone with a “poet in his pocket”. Well, I say, I will never be alone with the Word in my purse, or better yet, in my heart! It has quenched a thirst deep within my spirit which I never realized was so intense. Oh, my friend, don’t willingly allow yourself to be in the dark, no matter how well your eyes may see. You need the light of God’s Word. Carry it with you. Hide it in your purse; hide it in your heart. It will give your thoughts wings and a reason to fly!!

My deepest thanks go to my sister, Carol, and the wonderful folks at Lutheran Braille Evangelism Association who produce and make available the Bible Courier. The entrance of His Word really does bring Light.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130 KJV

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark,
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
http://www.jenniferrothschild.com
JR@jenniferrothschild.com

Praise, Edification, Activities, Relaxation and Laughter with Sisters

Based On: Malachi 3:16-17

Materials: Imagination and a love to share the gifts God gave you.

Description: All women 21 years and older are invited to join us for a monthly ladies meeting.

Each woman will have the opportunity to volunteer to host an activity in her home or at church. We encouraged the women to share something they knew how to do well. We suggested ideas such as crafts, cooking demonstrations, how to sew, spa- time or a book share, efficient housecleaning tips, etc...

The first night was hosted in my home, and we made pearl necklaces. The next month we made scrapbooking wall hangings.

WM.NET Note: This is a great way to share ownership of Women's Ministry in your church. If your women are not sure about how to host the event in their home, consider having a coordinator who will help the hostess plan the evening or you could provide a hostess checklist with instructions.

Submitted by: Lora Dutilly
Email: lala_67@charter.net
Church: Benton Bible Chapel Benton,NH
Church Size: Below 250

7 STEPS TO ACHIEVE EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
from Issue #26 Wednesday, December 1, 1999

Here are seven essential steps to help make your women's ministry volunteer program a long-term success.

1. Define why you need volunteers.
Every volunteer program must begin with an understanding of why your organization wants or needs volunteer support. At the preliminary stage, it is essential to establish desired outcomes for volunteer involvement. Establishing these outcome objectives early in the process will help to guide the types of volunteers that you recruit, and the way that you manage them once they have come on board.

2. Design valuable volunteer opportunities.
By designing valuable assignments you provide volunteers with challenge and motivation for continued success. Lay out the responsibilities of each job. Plan training and support programs to facilitate volunteer learning and development, and ensure that volunteers are aware of goals and outcome objectives for their involvement.

3. Recruit carefully.
When you've designed your volunteer opportunities, target the appropriate audiences to recruit those who are truly interested in the project. Be honest about the workload and time commitment involved in the project. Above all, ask for help but don't plead-you want volunteers who want to be there.

4. Screen, interview and place cautiously.
Screening and interviewing potential volunteers facilitates their commitment to the organization or to the project at hand. It shows potential volunteers that you take both the project and their time seriously. Screening also gives you an opportunity to match qualifications and skills with your needs of your volunteers. An interview is also the best time to define availability and schedule activities that fit both the organization and the volunteers.

5. Bring them on board with training.
Comprehensive orientation and volunteer training programs give volunteers a feeling of belonging and status. It shows that your organization values them enough to make an investment in them and, again, helps to reinforce their commitment to the cause.

6. Recognize. Recognize. Recognize.
Recognition programs show that your organization values volunteer support. They also provide a motivation for continuing commitment from your volunteers. Don't forget to recognize volunteers publicly when newspaper or other media opportunities arise or when it's time to write the annual report again.

7. Follow-up effectively
Effective follow-up provides feedback to volunteers and staff and opportunities to improve service to both. With a careful plan, and continual volunteer communication and training, it should be easy to evaluate your success and improve your program with time.

Based on a presentation at the 1997 Annual CCAE Conference by Diane Morrison, Vice President of Patient Programs at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, NB.

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