Some people think the miracle of "healing lepers" exists only in biblical times. But I am here to tell you otherwise. Our Stake's Young Women (along with the Relief Society) have banded together to knit/crochet leprosy bandages to be taken to Nepal, where this disease still inflicts many people. We have been told that when the bandages arrive in the field, the first thing the wounded do is put them to their noses. They love the scent of the hand cream, soap, and even perfume that the handiworkers leave on the bandages. This has proven more healing than the wrap itself; proof that healing happens best when there's a human touch.
When I was first given the assignment to coordinate this service project, I was super excited. I love to crochet and I love teaching other people how. However, after seeing the thin thread and the tiny hook needed to make the bandage, my level of excitement dropped a bit. Discouragement and a feeling of hopelessness quickly set in after I measured my bandage after working on it for one hour. Four inches! It was only four inches long! Basic arithmetic told me that one forty-eight inch long bandage would take me twelve hours. Yikes! How long would it take a new learner? Sixteen hours? Twenty?
I quickly devised a plan to hold a weekly knitting/crocheting party at my house. Meeting together as a group for the sole purpose of service has been a spiritual experience. None of us want the evenings to end. Our hands keep busy while we bond with stories and laughter. The ages range from 11-84, yet we all share a common bond. The desire to touch the untouchables has knit us all together in love.
June has been amazing! She bought a bunch of thread and hooks and crocheted the first four rows of them all for the young women. (Earlier on, we learned that the first four rows are the hardest and most frustrating). Emma is the only young woman that is consistently involved.
James and Steven even learned how to crochet the bandages. I am so proud of them. Just proves that anybody can do this.
Lisa and Sascha
Jessica teaching Emma how to knit. Jessica is super fast knitter. She's already completed three bandages and has taught me how to knit as well. The hands belong to Laura (who refuses to have her picture taken).
Michele and Steven have been crocheting buddies. Julie was a quick learner. Her bandage is proof that the wraps don't have to be perfect.
Kirsten and her friend, Jessica, didn't want to be left out of the group. So, Sascha taught them how to finger knit (it's very addicting).
