I was reading more of the book Red Letters this morning on the lightrail. Oh my. It touched the deepest parts of my heart. It took everything I had to not bust out into tears right then. I did not want the people on the lightrail with me to think I was completely insane.
So with this book, I am still not a fan-- weird huh. It is like Davis is wanting everyone's passion to be the AIDS/HIV orphans in Africa, but that is simply not the case for everyone, me included. God gave everyone different passions and it really annoys me that Davis wants everyone to help with the pandemic in Africa. If we all helped, we could make a difference, but God calls us to different things and places on the planet.
Anyway, what touched my heart this time was a story Davis shared. He was proving the point that ordinary people, like you and me, can make a difference. the story was about some American teenagers serving in an orphanage in India. There are 370 orphans that live off of 7 cents a day. They all have scabies. They all have lice. They share beds with no mattresses. They have no soap so they eat with dirty hands. They have no water in the heat of the summer. They huddle together in the winter to stay warm. Can you imagine this? I surely can't.
The American teenagers said that what mattered more to the kids than food or cleanliness or warmth was that the Americans would remember them. Wow.
This is when the tears wanted to come.
All the American teenagers have to do is remember those kid's names for them to make a difference. Such an easy task. Yeah they can and will do more, but the smallest thing makes a difference in a little orphan's life.
After I stopped reading, the passion for orphans came spurring out of my heart. My heart breaks for each one of them. It pains me so much to know I am so blessed with a family, a house, money, food, and many other amenities--when they have none of it.
But to know I can make a difference in their lives brings me so much joy.. peace... and hope. I can do that. I can change a life. I only have to be willing to serve where and how God wants me to.
I def feel the same way about the book. I'm not a big fan of the book and I don't feel called to do much in Africa. However, I do feel called to do things for the ppl here in my town who are homeless. The ones who have no food, clothes, shelter, or family are the ones that touch my heart. I def felt God talking to me in this book telling me that I can do something and it doesn't matter my age. There are soo many people in the world far and near that need to see his love and that is where my heart is. I'm glad you read the book.
ReplyDeleteOrphans!!!!! My heart breaks for them too! They are so special and dear to my heart and I wish I could help them all. Some stories just tear me to pieces!
ReplyDeleteI was reading a book when I was on my Mission's trip to Australia, right? And I was with my 9 team members on the subway reading, to waste time while we were sitting. And I am balling my eyes out. ha ha.
My team laughed at me.
I couldn't help it..