Judy's Journal

A Godly Heritage - SCRAP-BOOKING -  A Tool!

     Four years ago, a good friend of mine (Missionary Coleen Franks) came down from northern Ukraine to teach our ladies how to make a Heritage of Faith Album.  I was able to purchase some simple notebooks which we decorated.  The first album told a story of their Christian life and then each month we focused on a different theme.  The first month was their salvation and baptism.  They each wrote a testimony of how they were saved and what it meant to them.  The following months the themes centered around blessings, prayer request, missionaries our church supports, special church events in their lives, etc.   I started collecting scrapbook papers, punches and stickers via the internet and through trips abroad - as these items were not available here in Ukraine. 

     The ladies had so much fun, that they asked to continue scrap-booking the next year and then again another year.  So now we meet monthly.  We have so much fun bonding, laughing, fellow-shipping, crafting, sharing, and even eating.    The last two years, I have been able to order large plastic binders from a local printer using a heavier stock of paper.   Some churches have donated special paper and stickers.  A special thanks to Cheyenne Baptist Temple - where one lady that used to own a scrap-booking store donated literally 1000's of stickers - all neatly wrapped in rolls.  

   These scrap-books are a tremendous tool in witnessing.  One aspect of Russian culture that I would like to share is that when you enter a home, people love to get out their old photo albums and show you their heritage. Now these ladies are showing these scrap-books to family, friends, and beyond.  Some of the ladies take their scrap-books to work on at lunchtime and they have given reports of how people have oooohhh-ed and ahhhhh-ed around their books.  

     Last week I went with one of the ladies to the nursing home.  In the first room we visited, Tamara dug into her bag and brought out the scrap-book that she is working on this year.  She sat with each elderly lady and showed them page by page her book.  The old people would touch the pages and caress the flowers, ribbons and photos.  I sat back and watched their faces.  The picture below is one that I took - I have to admit I was so touched by each lady, that I forgot to take photos.  

     This past Tuesday, two young ladies came over to work on their scrap-books (as they were gone on a mission's trip during our normal scrap-booking time).   I believe these scrap-books do more than just tell a story - they builds character, creativity, and a heritage!

Tamara sharing her scrap-book.

Mrs. Coleen Franks teaching how to make cards.