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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Project Christina: Grief turned into joy for others

    November 14, 2014 / By Beth DiCocco / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

    When Sarah Bieling and her husband met 5-and-a-half-year-old Christina in March 2013, it was "love at first sight." Christina, a foster child, was being cared for by the Bielings' daughter in Florida.

    Though they were separated by distance, the Bielings became very close to their foster granddaughter.

    Like many foster children, Christina suffered emotional trauma. She often experienced night terrors, but foster parents are forbidden from sleeping in the same room with foster children. It became evident that Christina would have to be moved. She was placed with a family that had five daughters.

    "Our minds knew it was the best solution, but our hearts found it hard," said Bieling, who is a member of the Liverpool First UMC.

    She recalls the "overwhelming sadness" she felt, and remembers sobbing as she was mowing the lawn the summer Christina left.

    That's when "God spoke to me," she said, "handing me this project."

    The project is Project Christina, a mission of the Liverpool First UMC that collects toys to be given to children who are entering foster care.

    "There's so much that can be done," said Bieling, who recalled that Christina treated the gift of a new book "like a piece of gold."

    "I am so glad God spoke to me," she said. "I miss her, but that sorrow can be joyful to someone else."

    Toys for Project Christina can be purchased from anywhere; but a program at Kohl's department store makes stuffed toys available for $5, the proceeds from which go to a children's charity; in Onondaga County, that's Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital.

    Project Christina sends the toys to the Onondaga County Social Services Foster Care Division to be given to children who are being placed in foster care. At this writing, more than 55 stuffed toys had been provided to children.

    Bieling said that children who are being removed from their homes typically have to be moved quickly, and are often not able to keep toys or other belongings.

    For the sake of expediency, the items the children do take are placed in garbage bags. "They deserve something with more dignity," Bieling said.

    So Bieling has also begun collecting tote bags that can be used for that purpose. (Toys R Us sells tote bags that generate a donation to Save the Children’s Domestic Emergency Fund).

    This mission project has not only helped her cope with her own grief, Bieling said, but also taught her that "anyone can find something to do to make a difference. One person can do a lot."

    Still, that doesn't mean that she did this alone. When we face something that seems like too much of a challenge, Bieling said, that's when we should listen for God's voice.

    "God spoke to me; He touched me," she said.

    Meanwhile, the Bielings have become "grandparents" to all of the girls in Christina's new family, keeping up on their progress and sending small gifts to all of them.

    For more information about Project Christina, contact Bieling at sbieling@hotmail.com


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."