by Rev. Toby Mueller, for the team (Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church, Franklin, Tenn.)
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘tis the gift to come down, where you ought to be; and when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘twill be in the valley of love and delight! -“Simple Gifts,” an Amish song
Each one of the American women came bearing gifts. We each contributed ten pink lipsticks, ten pink nail polishes, and ten packs of 24-count colored pencils. The pencils, plus small bags of (what else!) pink candy, stickers, and faith-themed coloring books were piled into gift bags (over 100!) to give to the Syrian and Lebanese women who came. But the gifts did not end there. Each day more pink gifts were handed out: pink leis, pink Mardi Gras beads, pink post-it note pads, pink pens, and even pink cotton candy were all brought over by the Americans. And that is just what has been handed out so far!! Gifts upon gifts upon gifts, given and received. It has been a bit like Christmas here!
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