A gift from the Heart

Missionaries, Members Give Blankets to Warm Cold Delhi Nights

By Elder and Sister Black

India, New Delhi Mission

Missionaries of the India, New Delhi Mission and New Delhi 3^rd Branch members braved cold early morning temperatures to distribute one thousand hygiene kits and warm blankets to residents of several local slum areas. With arms loaded high of blankets, and hygiene kits, missionaries and members greeted smiling faces and tearful eyes as they walked the narrow streets distributed these articles to each home they passed. Some recipients ventured out into the cold to express their thanks and gratitude for such timely gifts and offered blessings on those that brought them. Quite often handshakes or hugs of appreciation were given and one thankful mother said, “You are an answer to my prayers for my children.”

The one thousand hygiene kits were assembled on Christmas day by over fifty missionaries while singing Christmas carols and reveling in the spirit of giving. Soap, dental items, shampoo, hand sanitizer, towels, nail clippers and many other items were put into custom made bags in assembly line fashion.  The ten foot high pile of hygiene kits and blankets were then transported by cargo van, in multiple trips, to the slums. There the teams of missionaries and members presented them to the wonderful poor people of New Delhi. Elder Michael from Bangalore remarked, “This service project has brought the true spirit of Christmas to me. It is the giving to others in need that the Savior would have us do.”

While the blankets brought warmth in these cold winter months, it is the giving that warmed the hearts and will last far longer. The mission and members of New Delhi look forward to perhaps repeating this project next year.