Dress, a Doll, a Pair af Shoes, and a Bag of Coins

I have known Rob and Arlene Koenig for many years, even when they were both single. It seem like a short time but it has been over ten years. Cathy, Caleb, and I went up to their home to spend some time together before I went back to Indonesia on this next trip. Little did I know that when we were greeted by Emily Rose in the driveway how much she would impact us that night. Braided hair and long dress she greeted us with her little sister Hanna in her arms. She looked like she could have stepped off the set of "Little House On the Prairie". Emily Rose is the big sister of five other brothers and sisters. She is only eight years old but holds the top spot as "leader of the Koenig pack". Rob and Arlene have four children of their own and two who were adopted from an orphanage in the Ukraine. Jonathan, Daniel, Benjamin, Evan, and Hanna are not yet aware of how blessed they are to have a big sister like Emily Rose.

We enjoyed the pre-dinner chat with Rob and Arlene. This evening was in the 80's and the view from their home on the hill was spectacular. Then all the food was ready and we sat down to eat. Rob was in charge of one end of the table and Arlene the other end. We have two children--Christina and Caleb. We have never had to feed six children eight years old or under. All the children knew the routine. Eat what is on your plate--or someone else will eat it. Mom and Dad never raised their voices or lost focus on the lines of communication happening all around them. I thought they are like conductors of an orchestra. Aware of every member of the band--they served baked chicken instead of Beethoven. The meal was wonderful and as much fun to watch as to eat. I had juice spilled on me when a dropped glass landed on my side of the table and when whipped cream aimed at the gingerbread missed and spattered me. I considered it as an initiation into a lesson on big business. This was the major leagues of organization. I will never took at Rob and Arlene the same—they are both CEO’s.

After dinner--we talked about this coming trip to Indonesia. I answered a number of questions and shared about some of the issues facing the refugees. We talked about the food program and the T.B. Project. Emily Rose went upstairs for a few minutes and came down to stand next to me. She stood there with a plastic bag in her hand. She got my attention and began to take out the contents one at a time. First a dress--she said this is for one of the refugee children. She had heard me talk about some of the refugee families selling their clothes to feed their children. Then she handed me a doll and a pair of shoes. She said she thought they could use them.

The last item was a zip lock bag with all the coins she had been saving. She handed it to me and said she wanted to help feed some of the hungry people. I had her find 20 cents. She found two dines and set them on the table. I told her this will feed one person for one day. She then counted all of her coins. She had $ 5.19 in assorted coins. She began to divide the money she had by 20 cents. She stood rolling her eyes and cheerfully stated--I have enough to feed someone for 25 days and almost 26 days. I wish you all could have seen the joy expressed in her eyes. She was giving all she had and it was going to make a difference. I believe she was being cheered on by the hosts in heaven. This was something special.

This was a 21st Century "widows mite". It was uncontaminated childlike faith. If the Lord were there like He was on the day the widow dropped her two coins into the treasury--He would nudge one of His disciples and say, "Take notice she put in all she had." This is a tribute to Emily Rose who finished the evening with the reading of a poem and a worshipful dance before the Lord. She twirled and raised her hands before the Lord--even the crash to the floor was a move of beauty--because it was abandonment--nothing was held back. What an evening. Emily Rose you have found the secret to the Kingdom of God.