But instead I feel a little sad. Why do adults ruin everything? A wise person once pointed me to Romans 12:15 which says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn..." at a time when I definitely had trouble rejoicing with others. Why is it that when someone is down we can be right there with them, but when someone is happy so many of us have trouble being happy for them??
Today, we gave children who have nothing...something. And at least one of the adults that works there, was upset that he was not thought of. As it turned out, he was thought of, but not in the way he felt he should be thought of. We did not give the "right" gift. It left me speechless. During our visit to Virginia, our lessons were all about being a servant. Anyone can be a servant whether you are rich, poor, black, white, male, female, adult, child, etc. The children "got" it. The adults...not so much. We were told by the teachers that they were mistreated, abused when they tried to receive food, and underpayed (or not payed at all actually...which we knew, but they eat the food we provide as their pay I suppose). We tried to help them by giving them food containers (to get an additional meal each day) but that was apparently not the "right" gift as they wanted something else, namely money. All along, we have felt that by ACO taking on the cost of the food, it would free up any other monies the Director might have so that he could pay the electricity, the teachers, etc. Apparently that is not what has happened and the teachers are looking to us to also cover their salaries. It is frustrating to say the least, but I won't give up. I won't pay their salaries, but I won't give up.
So, instead of rejoicing for the children receiving new uniforms which give them a new outlook and a new hope...the adults are feeling victimized and angry. Hopefully a wise person can point them in the direction of Romans 12:15.
Enough of my venting! Today was a really good day! Here is a snapshot of how it all came together:
Before~
During~
After~
Whenever I feel like giving up, I will just look back at these faces. It's not about anything other than the children. When we first started this whole thing it was about the children. The children who were unable to care for themselves and weren't eating every day. They now eat every day, thanks to donations (if you are interested in donating, one month of food is $1500). They are healthier, happier, more focused, etc. etc. Giving them new uniforms even furthers those things, and I really believe that they are starting to believe in themselves.
I do believe the food program has brought in some good caring teachers. As Walt told them, they are serving and doing the right thing and although for now their only reward is food, someday if they are good and faithful servants there may be more. I feel like they are receiving more than where they were before, if not than they would never have left! We want to support the Kenyan people in helping themselves, not just support the Kenyan people period. We are hopeful that the children of Virginia will grow up to see the importance of serving by our example and will give back to their own people. Maybe it's not too late for that man (or those men), and I will pray for them, as I know times are hard, but anyone can serve and to serve, you will be blessed (it may not be in the way YOU think it should be, but you will be blessed nonetheless).
So let's rejoice today, shall we?
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