August 18, 2009 – Church officials say a break-in at the Presbyterian Church of Coventry turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

More than $200 raised by children at Vacation Bible School was stolen from the church last Sunday. The funds were raised to help an orphan named Ruth living in a village in India.

After news outlets, including Channel 3, reported on the theft, residents from across the state and from as far away as Florida, volunteered to help.

The church has received letters and checks to help replace the stolen funds.

As of Monday, the church had received nearly $1,100, more than double what they had originally planned to send to India.

“On Saturday I had a call from a man in Florida, he had seen our story, was touched, and said, ‘I want to send you a check,” said Amy Hauser, who runs the Bible school. Hauser said that the children will be able to help other orphans in Manupur, India as well as Ruth.

“We couldn’t have planned this,” said Pastor Brad Evans. “It’s absolutely a blessing in disguise. God makes good out of evil, and this definitely good.”

source: wfsb.com