March Newsletter — A Volunteer’s experiance

Please enjoy this letter from Abbey who is currently volunteering at Seeds.  Her note is a perfect example of why SIHG exists.  As you read it, please consider donating a little extra to our Volunteer’s Scholarship Fund.  All SIHG volunteers pay their own expenses, but we have been able to help cover a portion for some and would like to have the funds to help when needed in the future.  Just write volunteer on your donation and it will be set aside to assist with expense for volunteers like Abbey.

A Letter from Abbey Idalski, March 15^th: 

I have only been here for 2 months but this opportunity has changed my life. 

I wanted to send you an update on how my time at Seeds in His Garden has been so far. I arrived here on January 12 late at night. By the time my second day came around I confronted Becky with a laundry list of ideas. Coming from the military lifestyle I was used to going 100 mph…. I quickly realized that my time here at Seed’s isn’t measured by the most projects being accomplished but really building impactful relationships with the kids.

March 5th has been the most impactful day in my life. Becky and Linda entrusted me to go to the hospital to pick up a 2 year old female. Her mother had passed away the night prior due to HIV. The next of Kin claimed that they did not know the mother or the child. The county hospital that this child was kept in left me speechless. She was running around between beds full of patients who were deathly ill. The only thing I wanted to do was get her out of there.

Patrick (the driver) and I picked up a birthday hat and a lollipop and we went on our way home to SIHG. I held the little girl the whole way back. I could see the hurt in her eyes. I brought her into Becky’s house so she could closely examine the child. Becky asked what her name was and in 2 seconds I came to the conclusion that she looked like Maia June to me. 

Maia June has been here for about a week now. She is a great dancer and smiles mos

t of the time…I can only imagine the amount of abandonment 

disorder and hurt she is dealing with. However, Maia June knows that she is fully loved and cared for. God will figure out the rest. She may be here at SIHG for a couple weeks or 16 more years. Only God knows, and I have to have full confidence in His plan for this child.

Along with Maia June, there are many other kids who have touched my heart. I have been teaching the younger children every day for a couple hours. There is a young boy here named John who has down syndrome. He expresses himself through dancing and can bring a smile to my face when I am having a weak/frustrated moment. 

A sweet little girl named Bianca and I made a ballet bar together. We painted it purple and gave it to Becky and Linda for their birthdays. The girls also performed a dance we choreographed to a song called ‘Like my Mother Does.’

Becky and Linda have allowed me to do a wide spectrum of tasks. This ranges from administrative work with Linda, teaching, court proceedings with the social worker, to counseling sessions with Becky. I feel that I am learning a broad baseline of the mission and I can only imagine how much more I have to learn. 

Respectfully Sent,

Abbey Idalski