Introduction: The Humanitarian program of the Church began with asking members to provide Quilts for Kosovo. War in that country had thrown refugees into perilous situations. The Relief society asked for a number of quilts to be made. Sisters got to work, and surpassed the number being asked for by huge amounts. Then we were asked to provide hygiene kits, newborn kits, and school kits, following guidelines, and sending the products to the Salt Lake Humanitarian Center, which shipped them all over the world. When I heard of this, I hurried after the meeting to ask Bishop Price if I could be the director for our ward. We did this for several years, accomplishing much good. I will explain these experiences in another letter. This is the talk I would give in different wards
Several years ago, the country of Romania had a president called Nikoli Chowchescue (sp?) He was a dictator and an extremely evil man. His wife was equally evil. Their regime was marked by great suffering of their own people. One of the dictates was that the population had to be forcefully increased. It was demanded that people have children, even though unable to care for them. Every woman of childbearing age was examined to see that she was physically able to give birth. Those families who failed to produce children were fined.. Many families, unable to care for these unwanted children abandoned them.
This dictator and wife were finally overthrown by their own army. I remember watching the televised news, as these two were taken out of their palace, made to stand against a wall and were shot!
Part of their terrible legacy was thousands of children abandoned and put in orphanages, which were little more than warehouses. Often there was no heat, adequate food, bedding or care. If you have seen institutionally-raised children who get little care, you have seen children who silently stare at nothing, silently rocking themselves for comfort.
LDS missionaries were went to these orphanages to provide help. They were unable to purchase any type of formula, and had to have it shipped from other countries. They reported children in cold buildings with broken windows. Babies being fed water and flour from tin cups. No bedding. Diapers, ragged, washed and dried by spreading them on bushes and branches. Caretakers untrained in child development or simple care. Children with flies crawling on them, lying while tied to iron cribs. (The following was from a talk by President Monson. about a family who took aid to Romania)
"In far away Bucharest, Romania, Dr. Lynn Oborn, volunteering at an orphanage, was attempting to teach little Raymond, who had never walked, how to use his legs. Raymond had been born with severe clubfeet and was completely blind. Recent orthopedic surgery performed by Dr. Oboen had corrected the clubfeet, but Raymond was still unable to use his legs. Dr. Oborn knew that a child-sized walker would enable Raymond to get on his feet, but such a walker was not available anywhere in Romania.
Let us turn now to Provo, Utah. The Richard Headlee family, learning of the suffering and pitiful conditions in Romania, joined with others to assemble a 40-foot container willed with 40,000 pounds of needed supplies, including food, clothing, medicine, blankets and toys. The project deadline arrived and the container had to be shipped that day.
No one involved with the project of the particular need for a child-sized walker. However, at the last possible moment, a family brought forth a child's walker and placed it in the container.
When the Anxiously awaited container arrived at the orphanage in Bucharest, Dr. Oborn was present as it was opened. Every item it contained would be put to immediate use at the orphanage. As the Headlee family introduced themselves to Dr. Oborn, he said, "Oh, I hope you brought me a child's walker for Raymond!"
One of the Headlee family responded, "I can vaguely remember something like a walker, but I don't know the size." Another member was dispatched back into the container, crawling among all the bales of clothing and boxes of food, searching for the walker. When he found it, he lifted it upp and cried out, "It's a little one!" Cheers erupted—which turned to tears for they all knew that they had been part of a modern-day miracle.
There may be some who say, "We don't have miracles today." But the doctor whose prayers were answered would respond, "Oh, yes we do, and Raymond is walking!" She who was inspired to give the walker was a wiling vessel and surely would agree.
Who was the angel of mercy touched by the Lord to play a vital role in this human drama? Her name is Kristin. She is the daughter of Kurt and Melodie Bestor. Kristin was born with spina bifida, as was her younger sister, Erika. The two children have spent long days and worrisome nights in the hospital. Modern medicine, lovingly practiced, along with help from Heavenly Father have brought a measure of mobility to each. Neither is downhearted. Both inspire others to carry on. Last month Kristin and Erika entertained guests celebrating the 75th anniversary of Primary Children's Medical Center. They sang with their father and mother, and the girls movingly sand a duet. Each person in the audience had red-rimmed eyes, handkerchiefs were everywhere displayed. These girls, this family, had overcome sorrow and brought joy into the lives of others.
Kristin's father said to me that evening, "Pres. Monson, meet Kristin. She is the one who felt impressed to send her walker to Romania, hoping that some child there would be benefitted.
I spoke to Kristin as she sat in her wheelchair. "Thank you for listening to the Spirit of the Lord. You have been an instrument in the Lord's hands to answer a doctor's prayer, a child's wish."
Later, as I walked out of that celebration held for the benefit of children, I looked upward toward the heavens and offered my orn "Thank you" to God for children, for families, for miracles in our time.
A popular song includes the words, "There are angels among us." These angels are quite frequently the precious little ones God our Father has entrusted to our earthly care. To them may we teach prayer, inspire faith, live truth, and honor God. Then we shall have heavenly homes and forever families. For what higher gift could we wish? For what greater blessing could we pray? None!"
After presenting the above material, I would show the video of the Headlee family helping to improve the orphanage, by painting walls, painting colorful pictures for children to look at. They passed out warm, colorful quilts and bedding for each little crib and bed, and set up playground equipment, having to dig holes almost with bare hands, for the shovels they had packed in the container had been stolen, and none were available to purchase. Little Raymond, about three years of age, blonde and sweet, was shown being hugged and played with, and learning to use the little walker.