Lake Region—Three years ago Judy Key dreamed about a group of children. In her dream, she saw children of all ages and nationalities. Key and the children were “running from some unseen danger.” She remembers one very behaviorally challenged little girl who fell down in her dream. Key said she hesitated to pick her up in the dream, but remembers being compelled to do so, and then she continued running with her.

Key recalls, “It seemed that danger was closing in on every side, so we continued running until we came to a large building where we finally found safety. Once inside, we discovered beautiful quilts hanging from the ceiling and covering every wall.” It was at that moment in the dream that Key awoke.

Key prayed about the dream and its meaning. She believes that two weeks later the Holy Spirit impressed her with its meaning. Key said, “The quilts represented prayers of protection for children.” The little girl in her dream, Key is sure, represented children who are not covered by prayer.

Excited about understanding the dream, Key was inspired to plan a prayer convocation for the children of Genesee County in Michigan where she lives. She said, “God directed this effort every step—the finances, the site, and the volunteers—to the successful culmination on Apr. 5, 2003. There were roadblocks, such as an ice storm on the day of the convocation that knocked power out county wide. In spite of that, 120 dedicated individuals from [many] denominations came out for prayer and praise. Nothing is impossible with God!”

A special ministry project was born at that special convocation. Key believes the project is phase two of her dream. She said, “Do you remember being afraid and pulling your blanket over your head, or being cold and snuggling under a warm, comforting quilt? There are countless children who are cold and frightened, and they don’t have the comfort of a personal covering.” That’s where Key’s project, From a Mother’s Heart, comes in.

The goal of From a Mother’s Heart is to provide blankets or quilts to children worldwide. In addition to providing warmth and security to the children, Key’s plan is for the quilts to cover them with the Word of God. Each blanket or quilt will have a verse from Scripture sewn onto it.

Key is a member of the Eternal Life Ministries Seventh-day Adventist Church in Flint, Mich. The congregation, led by their pastor, Paul Musson, is just three years old, yet Key says its members are behind the project 100 percent.

Distribution of blankets and quilts began in January, and Key’s goal is to distribute 7,000 blankets or quilts during 2007. Key said, “Distribution sites will include local shelters, crisis centers, national emergency relief centers, orphanages, and schools in the United States of America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Recently, the Department of Children’s Ministries at the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters in North America adopted Key’s project as a mission opportunity for children in Adventist churches. Key says, “More individuals across denominational lines are joining with us, too, and this project seems to have captured the hearts of many people.” She believes “that with God all things are possible!”

You are invited to juncture with Key to touch the lives of children worldwide. She would be thrilled if each Lake Union church would submit at least one quilt or blanket. Here’s how you can help:

1. Pray for the children and the project.

2. Make a blanket or quilt or purchase one. Stitch a Scripture verse onto it. Key will provide Scripture labels and blanket gift tags.

3. Send a cash donation of $15 to cover the cost of fabric and expenses for a new blanket or quilt. You may request a receipt for each contribution for your tax records.

Send blankets, quilts, or donations to: NAD Department of Children’s Ministries, Attn: Blanket Project, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Springs, MD 20904. Blankets and quilts may also be sent to: Judy Key, 1297 W. Stanley Road, Mt. Morris, MI 48458.

For additional information, call 810-686-4823, or send e-mail to Judy0750@aol.com. Visit www.fromamothersheart.org for an update on this project.

Diane Thurber, Lake Union Herald managing editor, with Judy Key, From a Mother's Heart project coordinator