Curse the beggars! It was impossible to go anywhere without seeing someone with his hand out.Ted refused to look into their faces. He despised people who were always looking for a handout. He worked hard for what he got; why couldn't they? It made him so mad. He rounded the corner and abruptly stopped in front of a young boy cradling the head of his mother in his lap. The woman was obviously very ill. The boy looked up into Ted's face and sobbed one word. "Please?"All the excuses, all the anger, all the contempt melted away. Ted's eyes were opened for the first time. These people really needed help, and he had the power to make a difference. Perhaps he couldn't solve the whole problem, or even a big part, but he could help the boy and his mother. With new resolve, Ted swore to open his eyes to the less fortunate and give as much as he could.
This is the second devotional I have read today about giving to the poor. It is interesting that both meditations are from different sources. They counter something else I read this morning...
The writer's opinion stated that people go to Haiti because they can, it's relatively close by for being a foreign mission field and it makes them feel good when they leave. He pointed out that they simply "feel good, feel like they did something".
I go to Haiti WHEN I can and it's not for ME! And I have never left "feeling good". I've always felt inadequate - wishing I could have done more.
The children at the orphanage are so valuable. Just to be Mama Karin to them and for them to know that they are loved by everyone who visits them. It took going to Haiti to see "the simple life". Not "simple" in terms of easy, free, unburdened or cheap...but simple,
I SIMPLY don't need all that I have.
I was never content until I went to Haiti. By that I mean, CONTENT with what I have. I always looked at the other mom in the preschool line and wished for electric doors on my van or for some cute clothes! I was wishing for what I didn't need and Haiti taught me that.
I was never content until I went to Haiti. By that I mean, CONTENT with what I have. I always looked at the other mom in the preschool line and wished for electric doors on my van or for some cute clothes! I was wishing for what I didn't need and Haiti taught me that.
When I returned home from trip One, I was nauseated by WalMart! Too much stuff. I can't look at the vegetable isle at BiLo and not think - How many Haitians could we feed???
Michael and I surprised each other when we wondered at the same time "How many Haitians could we fit into our big two story dream house?" Anyone who has been to Haiti understands there is "Always room for one more." We have yet to build that two story dream house, but in reality wonder if we ever really will - since we could live in and on less!
I'm not preaching to you! We have been INCREDIBLY blessed with gifts from friends and people we don't even know. After the earthquake, so many people dropped cash off in our mailbox and walked away. There wasn't even a note as to who it was from so that we could thank them! The fuel for the second leg of the trip was $9000.00. The doctor's on the trip helped pay for half of that and the remaining portion was from the money that was donated for the trip (AFTER meds and supplies were bought, and translators were paid). Talk about fish and bread left over!!!!
Michael tells the story of the little boy who was throwing starfish back into the ocean when his grandfather asked him why??? There are so many... The response of the grandson as he throws another one "IT MATTERED TO THAT ONE!!!"
When Michael flew away to Haiti, I was so sad inside b/c I wasn't going too! I had my work cut out for me taking care of the kids. Clifford could not handle both parents being gone at the same time. But an opportunity arose for me to "throw some starfish into the ocean" if you will.
The "Tent Story" is incredible. I don't remember if I posted it or not, but here's a synopsis. At their Thursday clinic, Dr. Ansio asked Michael if he could get 20 tents for some of his workers. The message was posted that evening and by Friday night I had 20 tents in hand and was headed to Atlanta, GA - 3 hrs. from our home. My friend drove Clifford and me to the pilot's house where we would leave the tents. They were delivered to the team on Sunday morning and were taken to the families on Tuesday afternoon. THIS WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THESE FAMILIES. If I could I would go help build them houses, but my role that day was to use my resources to give shelter and "something" to people who didn't have it and didn't have a way to get it. It was like throwing 20 starfish back into the water. It mattered to them on Tuesday night when they slept under the thin protection of a tent.
Father, am I doing all I can? In my times of need, I cry out for someone to help me. Make me sensitive to others as they cry out. Amen.
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