Touching Others

For someone whose poetry and gospel songs are widely published, Edna Massimilla is surprisingly modest. "I feel like I have a gift of writing, and I'm going to use it for the Lord," she says. Even at age 86, Mrs. Massimilla pens on.

One of her poems, "Heaven's Very Special Child," honors a daughter born with Down syndrome and has touched a poignant chord with many.

Tassew Negash, Distribution Director of the Bible Society of Ethiopia, gives illustrated Gospels to students in the Roman Catholic Nativity Boys' School in Addis Ababa. Schools in Ethiopia are hoping to soon be able to use the Bible in morals classes. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mrs. Massimilla has had her own encounter with tragedy; she was still a child when her mother died. Her aunt took her in and made sure she regularly attended Sunday school. "It was a part of my life," she says.

Perhaps that is why she is particularly fond of the Bible Society's efforts to connect youth with the Scriptures. "They really need it so much today," she says.

Her own connection with the Bible Society began with her father, who regularly contributed to the Bible cause. "It seems to be a family theme," she says. She carries on that theme by donating through a charitable gift annuity and by providing Bibles at cost to people who ask.

Whether it is through a poem, a song or a Bible placed in someone's hand, Mrs. Massimilla says she will continue to share her poetic gift freely wherever she can.