Donating Blood Because

We tried to be regular blood donors back home going to the local Red Cross or giving blood when they came to our church houses.  It feels good to give something so precious.  When I saw fliers asking for patrons to give blood here, we went.  The first time was in Ft. Madison to the Methodist Church where the Red Cross selected.  It was for an opportunity to meet people and see inside the different church buildings.  Meeting the folks of these communities and have them see missionaries give blood is important. 

Red Cross doesn't let a new patron sit idle.  We received letters thanking us and requesting us to give again in the allotted time allowed.  On May 2nd we visited another church in Keokuk giving more.  Several of the workers had been at the previous church.  The Red Cross offices are located in Quincy. This was a big and busy church, with a daycare in one part of the building.  Mothers came and went passing the donating area.

There was a colorful stain glass window on the north side of the chapel that was open to our view.  We met gentlemen from Carthage and Keokuk.  One fellow was the local cemetery maintenance worker.  The ladies of the church prepared sandwiches and drinks for us to enjoy.  I should have talked to them more.

Soon we received in the mail our own Red Cross Blood Donor Cards for the Illinois region.