Page 57 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2022 - Online Magazine

EXCEPTIONAL SENIORS

tradition on to my kids one day.” Puppeteer Brenda
adds, “Working with puppets gives me a calming start
to my week.”

Helen’s son, Robbie, noted, “I have looked up to my
mom as the mainstay for my Christian walk since day
one, and sixty years later, I am still relying on and
looking up to her.”

At the age of 87, Helen is continuing this ministry. Why?
Helen explained, “Because I enjoy doing it. It is a joy
to work with the puppets, and as long as I can, I will
keep doing it. Someday, when I can’t lift the puppets
anymore, I will still direct the rest of them and help
behind the scenes.”

Even after 34 years of puppet ministry, Helen is still
Wilson, and at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Lubbock going strong and doesn’t plan to quit any time soon. The
on Christmas Eve. passion of the Puppet Master has not faded. She is as
energetic today as she was when she started.
Helen believes in the wonder of puppets to bring
the stories and concepts of the Bible to life for
children, young and old. She has a passion for
teaching children about how God loves them so
much that He sent Jesus.

“It is my way of witnessing to people,” Helen
said. She doesn’t feel that she is a good public
speaker. “But” she said, “I can do puppets
because I am behind a curtain, and the puppet
speaks for me.” Helen explained, “I get very
nervous when I see peoples’ faces, but this way, I
don’t have to see people, but I can still witness to
them. And,” she added, “it keeps me young.”
Helen’s granddaughter, Jenna, said this about
being a puppeteer: “I love being able to minister
in this way as a family.” Jenna also said,
“Grandmommy is always creative with how she
makes the backdrops and other props. She is also
creative at teaching us what we are supposed
to be doing with our puppet and how we are
supposed to move it. I love getting to work with
her and see her passion for teaching kids about
God.”

Another of Helen’s granddaughters, Amber,
said, “I like the joy and happiness working with
puppets brings. I have memories of working with
puppets with Grandmommy and Papa Jack that
I will always treasure. And now I get to keep
adding to those memories and hope to pass the

Lubbock Senior Link 57