The couple, who attend First Covenant Church here, have sent more than 40 semi-truck loads of clothing, bedding, school supplies and sewing machines to orphanages in Eastern Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and Africa. The first recipient of clothing was an orphanage in Romania run by the woman who authored the Guideposts devotional.
Throughout the year, the Williams and other volunteers collect, sort, and pack banana boxes with primarily children’s clothing as well as bedding. They work with Orphan’s Promise, a ministry of the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Four times a year, with help from friends and church members, they load a semi-trailer that is sent to the ultimate destination. At times, the church has been able to respond quickly to a crisis. In 2008, a shipment of cold weather children’s clothing was sent to an orphanage in Peru in response to severe winter weather.
Recently, 37 non-electric sewing machines, along with the clothing, were sent to Moldova, a small country located between Ukraine and Romania.
Two years ago, the Williams teamed with a group of women from First Covenant called the Sew and Sews. Women – and even a few men – sew about 15 blankets a week for twin size beds. Some volunteers work on blankets at home. Click here to see additional photos.
Blankets are lightweight for warmer climates and heavyweight for colder climates. The materials come from donations, rummage sales, resale shops, and even local motels. More than 500 blankets have been produced in the past two years.
One pastor from a Christian church in Moldova wanted to know if the Williams were rich. He was told, “They are just ordinary Americans who love children and are simply trying to live out their faith.”
Richard Williams said, “It’s not about us. It’s about them (children) and helping others.”
