Good Intentions

It all started as a tiny seed of an idea. Why not give 72 young scholars from the poor sector of my parish a Christmas party. At first, concerns were raised: this action would set a precedent that the volunteer mentors may not be able to sustain; this action could be expensive; and, because of the busy season, many of the volunteers would not be available to help out on the date set for the event.

But each opposition seemed too flimsy when held up against the good effect the action would generate. And so, the seed took root. Garage sales were conducted to generate funds to add to the limited budget allocated by the parish; kind parishioners and supportive friends, upon hearing about the event came forward with the exact items needed. There was even a donation of lechon to add to the pack lunch to be distributed. Things were turning up roses.

And as fate would have it, the date of the event was changed. This proved to be significant as all the mentors found themselves available to help out.

While pondering how to come up with funds to buy drinks, a text message is soon received about a donation of 8o packs of juice; and, while another mentor, on her morning walk, mull over how to come up with a simple breakfast snack, her attention was called by a vendor selling P1 pandesal. If each scholar got 2 pieces, the cost would be under P200. What a deal!

Then there was the challenge to come up with gift bags that the mentors could distribute to the scholars. The budget set was P30 per bag. Plus the bag should be environmentally acceptable—no plastics. The mentor assigned this task soon found out that it was close to impossible to come up with something worthwhile at P30. The bag alone cost more than the budget! As a last resort, this mentor decided to check out whether her favorite seamstress could help. Lo and behold, after some talk, the seamstress goes to her stockroom and comes out with a huge bag containing cloth bags at exactly the shape and size needed.



These bags were ordered last year but the client never came back to get them. With some bargaining, a sale was made with the seamstress agreeing to donate part of the cost. How cool is that?

Through solicitations, the much needed contents to fill up the gift bags poured in.



So much so that the bags were close to overflowing with goodies: chips, nuts, crayons, an orange, candies, hankie and even a tiny bar of soap!



Yesterday, everything finally came together. With the further blessing of a sunny weather, the party was underway. Not even the initial problem with the sound system could dampen the mood of the children. The nativity scene was recreated complete with angels and a stuffed lamb donated as a garage sale item. The scholars offered their Advent intentions all rolled up and secured with a pretty red ribbon.



Games were played and some scholars showcased their talents. Everything went like clockwork and in an orderly manner, each scholar got their lunch pack and gift bag.

The last words that stuck to my mind as I and the mentors packed up and headed for home were the words uttered in unison by the children, “We love you mentors.”

How good is that?

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Nothing stands in the way of good intentions. And that’s exactly what happened yesterday. A tiny seed of an idea, helped along the way with good intentions, grew into a beautiful tree.

And so it is with the following recipe. Just a tiny bit of yeast when added to flour can be the start of a delicious treat.



Cinnamon Rolls
(adaptation from “The Bread Machine Cookbook” by Donna Rathmell German)

Bread:
1 cup milk
2 Tbs butter
1 egg
2 Tbs Sugar
½ tsp Salt
3 – 3 ½ cups flour
1 ½ tsp yeast

Filling:
¼ cup brown sugar
1 ½ tsp cinnamon powder
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts



For brushing:
2 Tbs melted butter

Glaze:
½ c powdered sugar
2 Tbs milk

Add all the bread ingredients into the bread machine. Set the machine on the “dough cycle setting”. Once completed, remove the dough from the machine.

Roll dough into a rectangle,



brush with melted butter



and spread the cinnamon mixture over butter. Roll dough as a jelly roll



and cut into slices of about 1 ½ inches wide. Place each slice in a muffin cup, cover and let rise for 35 to 40 minutes.



Brush tops lightly with melted butter if desired.



Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

When bread has somewhat cooled down, drizzle each roll with the powdered sugar-milk mixture.