Neah Bay, WA
Learning to be Salt and Light
by Rosemary Sternbeck, Ministry Staff
Spring comes early in the Pacific Northwest. So it is during the dark, wet months of winter that Morning Star Girls Club plans for events and projects are made.
Following the school year, we take only a short break for summer. It gives the girls time to practice their native dances that they perform at various tribal celebrations.
This year we started by putting our gardens to bed. We planted some spring bulbs in the beds and put some in pots that are taking up space in the refrigerator. Always thinking ahead, we hope to be able to use them this spring to decorate tables for a mother-daughter gathering. The girls gathered remaining blooms to press for stationary later in the year.
We are always trying new recipes and the ones the girls like are collected into their own recipe books. Some of the keepers were Three Sisters Soup, Jello Salad, and Snickerdoodle Cookies. The fresh corn muffins were out. We also came up with a recipe made out of things we might keep on hand if the power is out, (which happens often and can last two to five days). It was a cream soup made with potatoes, carrots, onion and canned milk. That was a keeper too! We continue to struggle with learning measurements: which is the teaspoon, what does 1/3 look like and how to set the oven temperature. But “always washing hands first” seems to have caught on.
We started out with two sewing machines this year and borrowed two others. The girls participated in making pillows, aprons, sewing appliqués on tee shirts, making pillowcases, baby caps, placemats, and other things to sell at the Christmas Bizarre this year. The aprons were a big hit and we had requests for more “boy” aprons if we participate next year. Our next challenge will be to make and tie a quilt. Neah Bay has lost its Home Ec. Teacher, but there are quilters in the community who have donated fabric and we hope to get some good advice from them also.
The Girls Club is always on the lookout for ways to be a blessing to others. Last year they made valentine cards for the elders, as well as fall flower arrangements to decorate tables at the Senior Center. This year we have been asked to participate in clearing an overgrown cemetery in the middle of the village. It has grieved the elders to see it fall in disarray. It will be our first outside project besides our own gardens. Last year the girls sold frozen cookie dough to buy three goats for a needy family in another country. This year their goal is to buy a heifer. They have reached half of their goal through the Christmas Bizarre sales.
During our two-hour meetings once a week, we always take time for Bible study and prayer. This year we have concentrated on the “big picture” of Scripture. We have tried to better understand the culture and particular challenges the people of the Old Testament had. The girls discussed how they might have felt eating manna every day even if it DID fall from heaven. When studying the Passover one of the girls stopped me and said, “So that’s why Jesus is called ‘The Lamb of God!’” We read prophecies of Jesus’ birth from Genesis to Malachi and discussed the fear and humiliation Mary might have felt being pregnant, unmarried, and misunderstood. We talked about how her “own soul” might have been pierced also. Suddenly, one of the girls asked, “Do you mean if Jesus hadn’t been born and died for our sins we couldn’t go to heaven?” These are electric times when the Spirit of God moves upon His Word in such a powerful way that I want to jump up and yell YES! YES! YES! You’ve got it! It is so rewarding to see them grow in wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures.
Certainly, one of the most exciting things to report this year is the dedication of four wonderful faithful women at Makah Lutheran who donated their time and talent to help every week with the girls. Without them, it would be impossible to have a Girls Club. Also, we have received a gently used sewing machine and money toward buying a quilting frame from ladies at the church in Oak Harbor. We hope to make a trip with some of the girls this summer to visit them. We appreciate all the prayers and hands extended that make the Morning Star Girls Club a success. “You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matt. 5:13-16