A mother whose daughter was dying from brain cancer told me she felt like screaming, "My child is sick. Won't somebody help me?" Parents are desperately searching for SOMEONE who cares to help them through the ordeal of watching their helpless child suffer. I decided to BE THAT SOMEONE and do what I could. 

I've found it amazing how much I CAN do, even though I'm disabled. Maybe the very fact that I AM disabled is what has allowed me to do so much. I have the time that most people can't spare. And I have the ability to understand what it's like to be sick, frustrated, and afraid. So actually, my misfortune has become an asset in this situation. 

In 1998, due to complications of an autoimmune disease, I lost my eyesight. Fortunately, I regained some vision, but I could no longer work. Suddenly I had a lot of time on my hands. This could have sent me into depression feeling that my life was empty and without purpose. Instead, it propelled me into a new direction. God had big plans in mind for me! I simply did, each day what God gave me to do, and it gradually grew until the Hugs and Hope Club for Sick Children was born. 

Because I belonged to online prayer chains, I often received e-mails requesting prayer for sick children. I decided to post their stories and pictures on a web page in order to network with others who wanted to help these kids too; and so began my little ministry in the fall of 2000. What started as a small hobby soon mushroomed into a huge organization with over 2,000 volunteers worldwide. HUGS and HOPE is now a 501(c)3 tax-exempt charity.

My disability was a new beginning simply disguised as an end. Since my web site began, I've received hundreds of e-mails from distraught parents begging to post their child's story. Though suffering parents may know in their heads that God cares about them, during their struggles they sometimes need a real live person "with skin on" to show that love to them. That's what the club s volunteer "hug-givers and hope-restorers" do. They mail thousands of packages of "happy mail" to our "club kids" and provide much needed moral support to their parents. We also send children s Bibles to the kids, and family Bibles to their parents.The group also sponsors a chat room where families and volunteers communicate with each other, sharing ideas, encouragement, and support. 

It s true that when a door closes for you, God opens a window. He opened a big window for me, allowing me to be part of so much more than I ever thought imaginable. I thought being disabled meant that I was not able to accomplish anything worthwhile, but I was so wrong! Now, with God s power and guidance, I m doing the MOST worthwhile work of my life. Instead of feeling bad about what I can t do, I concentrate on doing what I can and helping families battling childhood cancer and other diseases. I trust God to use my efforts to accomplish His will in the lives of people who need Him. 

I ve learned many valuable lessons through my work with the Hugs and Hope Club. For instance, everyone has problems; but the best thing we can do is forget our own troubles and focus on someone else's struggle. 

I read somewhere, "pain is inevitable, but misery is optional." Sure we all have pain, but we don't need to wallow in it. We don t have to be miserable, no matter what our situation.

Many of the wonderful Hugs and Hope volunteers suffer with serious illnesses, financial struggles, or family problems. Yet, instead of focusing on their troubles, they encourage others. When you take your mind off your problems and give joy to others, you find contentment! As you focus is uplifting others, you experience peace and happiness yourself. 

God can accomplish tremendous things with our smallest efforts. I ve done little myself, yet the Hugs and Hope Club accomplishes much as a group. We work together with phenomenal results. Musicians contribute music for children and organize benefits. Publishers and authors donate books, sewers and knitters make blankets, dolls, and teddy bears. Youth groups create and send hundreds of cards. Individual efforts may not seem like much, but the cumulative effect of the group is remarkable. 

More lessons learned: One person CAN make a difference in this world. I was shocked to discover God was using me to accomplish something worthwhile, but I shouldn t have been surprised. God has a purpose for every life. Everyone can contribute something meaningful. You don't need to HAVE a lot in order to GIVE a lot. God gives us unique talents to use according to His plan. There are many ways to serve God. And serving Him is a joy, not a burden. You know you are doing God s will when it is such a source of pleasure that you can t NOT do it! I ve tried to cut back on the time I spend working with Hugs and Hope Club families, but when I turn my focus elsewhere, I receive countless requests begging me to continue Hugs and Hope because it s such a blessing to so many. Though I try other endeavors, I m unable to resist the pull from sick children. I feel compelled to invest time in this ministry. I believe it is what I am meant to do. When you re engaged in what you are meant to do, time disappears. You put forth great effort, but there is no struggle. You do it not because you have to, but because you can t tear yourself away. It is a joy to pour your heart into it.

Whether you excel at organizing projects, creating web page graphics, writing encouraging notes, or even if all you can do is mail a Veggie Tales video to a hospitalized child, it ALL makes a difference and it can influence people for good. 

It s my prayer that through the Hugs and Hope Club, hurting people will know the awesome love, peace, and joy available to those who seek and serve God. Our message is that no one must face struggles alone. God cares about our pain and desires to be intimately involved in our lives. He is able and desires to help help us through trials. 

The joy that God bestows when you share His love is more rewarding than anything else in this world! I love this quote from Bernie Siegel, "If you say that you don't get back as much as you give, then you are not really loving. LOVE DOESN' T MEASURE. IT JUST GIVES." 

God is good. No matter how much you give of yourself, He always gives you back more. Love and happiness are like peanut butter. When you spread them around, you can't help but end up getting some on yourself!

By Marsha Jordan