STAR HOUSE STORIES

Madelene’s Story

Thursdays are prayer days at Star House. This spring as we gathered together to pray for the new program, we heard a car pull up the driveway. It was a mother with two small children. Sure that she had mistaken Star House for the preschool next door we were surprised to find that she was looking for Star House.

Johanna told us her story. She read about our mission online and was touched. She searched for us in vain but that day she just happened to see the mailman at the bottom of the hill and he pointed the way. She brought donations and talked about wanting to teach her children how to give back. Her three year old daughter, Madeline wanted to donate one of her dolls to the children at Star House. Even though we did not have any children at the time, Johanna insisted that we keep their donations as she heard our plans to start up.

That day Madeline was dressed in her very best pink princess attire complete with ruffles and patent leather shoes. From the minute she walked into the house to visit, we were aware that heaven had sent us an angel to give us hope.

It was as if Madeline could read our hearts and in her sweet way her presence assured us that God was close. Madeline and her brother Gary played in the therapy room and brought joy back to the empty house. Johanna and the children came back each week to pray with us, work in our garden and make us aware that the child spirit lives in all of us.

Sowing seeds of hope at Star House

Our little gardener, Gary

Dear God, Gracious Gardner,

How wondrously you care for my soil. You send your waters of refreshment. You fertilize me with your wisdom. You warm me with your enduring kindness.

New growth continually sprouts from the soil of my spiritual garden. Flowers of creativity bloom. You keep drawing me towards your light.

- Joyce Rupp