Sep. 3, 2009 - Do we even understand contentment and thankfulness in America?
Our family had a great lesson this week on Monday when we received 5 letters all in one day from people overseas thanking us for various things.
4 of the letters were from 2 families in Ecuador that we sponsor through Compassion International. One from each child and one from each parent. Along with the sweet, thankful letters, we received pictures of the families with items Compassion had bought them with our sponsorship money. They included basic needs like rice and wheat and watermelon and shoes.
The other letter we received was from 2 missionary sisters in Bolivia who are native missionaries to their own people. They are dear friends of mine whom I have never met. (Do you have friends like that? I have quite a few!) They minister and share the Love of God to fellow Bolivians and help meet the needs of the poor, though they themselves are also poor. I recently asked them if there was anything that I could send them from the US that they couldn't buy there that would be a blessing to them. They said they could really use "bags of sleeping and backpacks" for when they are gone overnight to minister. They usually just take a blanket which means they are very cool in the chilly Bolivian nights. We were happy to choose some nice sleeping bags and backpacks from the store and send them to Bolivia to Sara and Eva.
The box arrived on Monday, and they sent the sweetest email that turned out to be a great way to start a discussion during our family time that night on being happy when other people are blessed and what true contentment means.
I wanted to share this letter with you. It is not only convicting for the children but also for me!
Dear friends,
Today we receive the blessing box that you sent, the beautiful backpacks and sleeping bags, thank you. In all our trips to the rural areas we used to always take a blanket in a bag and our backpacks were already a little old for so many trips that we made. Now we have very good tools for our trips, and we will always be hot in the cold nights of Bolivia . Today is our sister's birthday María Elena (14 years old), and she had the privilege of opening the box and later we pray with the whole family giving thanks to God and to all your family, The box arrived to the 10 am and we had to wait until 1 pm so that the whole family meeting was. When somebody in our family receives a gift, the happiness it is for all, because we consider that gift for all, thank you Misti, and a big hug for the whole your family.
Your servants in Christ
Eva and Sara
Can you imagine a child raised in America being happy on her birthday to open a box intended for your big sisters and rejoice with them? Can you imagine a box in the mail being so special and exciting that you wait so the whole family can witness the opening? Me neither. Can you imagine a prayer meeting breaking out in thankfulness to God because of a new back pack and sleeping bag?
Some say that we are so blessed to live in America...but the longer I live, the more I wonder if we are truly un-blessed to have so many things. I wonder if the truly blessed people are the Sara and Eva's....the Ecuadorians or Mexicans who are so thankful for anything and who truly know what it means to rely and trust in God for their next meal or clothing to wear.
If you don't already, may I encourage you to sign up with Compassion International....you will regularly get photos and letters from your child. It has been such a great tool to show my children how incredibly different our lives are from most of the world. They also have opportunities to actually meet the children eventually on trips they arrange throughout the year. It costs only slightly more than $1/day.
Another ministry we support that also gives wonderful feedback on where your money goes with pictures and emails is called Hearts of Hope. They don't have a website yet, but I can send you the email address if you are interested in getting their free monthly newsletter so see what it's all about.
While we're on the subject...now is a great time to get a book on how to de-clutter and DO IT! Simplify....life with less THINGS is so much nicer!!
Comments
Sep. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
What a wonderful post! We are in the process of decluttering even more. Yes, I ofen wonder if we are blessed to live in America (from the "stuff" stand point". I love that letter and the idea that every shares in the blessings. Hmmm. Something to think about.
Blessings,
Dawn
Sep. 4, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Eunice
We just returned from a camping trip to beautiful St. Augustine Misti. We camped out and visited the beach and roughed it just a little. We had to set up during the rain and it rained almost the entire time we were there, BUT we had so much fun. The night gave us critters visiting our camp and a VERY uncomfortable bed BUT we had so much fun. We were together and the children declare (rain and all!) that this was one of the best vacations they've ever had. Some declared it to be their favrite...... some listed it at the top. Camping in the rain! Truly it is the simple things.......
I'm rambling :O)
