WAVES OF SOLIDARITY (Janurary)
(I thought I would put all the Newsletters that I have sent so far this year on this blog.)
For many nations and people the year 2005 began very differently, the catastrophe that occurred in Asia shook the world as they saw a tragedy without precedent.
Confronted with calamities of these dimensions it is human to seek explanations. Some people stop to think and reflect over the true meaning of life, others look for hope in the midst of pain and others act with gestures of solidarity. We can see that the world response to this earthquake has been extraordinary. Governments, institutions and people creating genuine waves of solidarity have given millions of dollars.
I keep thinking that it would be good if these waves of solidarity were created not only immediately after catastrophes but that it would be a constant gesture in each one of the rich nations and in each one of us.
In the Valley of Blessing, we witnessed one of these waves for the children and families especially over Christmas and New Year. Many people opened their homes and took our children to spend Christmas with them; others came to donate clothes and food.
Many churches mobilized their members to “adopt” our children and those that attend the Day Care Centre giving them some clothes and toys. Some families put so much in the bags that the children could not carry them on their own. Some bags donated for the children who are taken care of in the Day Care Centre contained the basic necessities of rice, beans sugar etc. all of this makes a needy family happy and gives them the hope that as a new year commences there is, at that moment, someone who remembers and is concerned about them. What we witness many times, on their part, is the best in the human spirit, the motivation to help and to share with those who have less.
This raises the following question: Is it human to have the desire to help, to distribute, to share? The answer is YES.
Moreover, is there a commandment from God that we should help others? In Gods word, it says, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (Timothy 6:18)
For us one more year has begun, as we return from holiday, whether to school or to work, everything will return to normal. The rush from day to day will bring more goals to be achieved, more obstacles to overcome and challenges to be met. In the Valley of Blessing, it is not any different; the children will return to their school activities, some will return to their families others will be adopted. Others will come to be cared for by us and we will keep close contact with and support many families.
We continue to need your help and your support, we care for more than 600 (six hundred) children and adolescents monthly and more than 500 (five hundred) families. Representing a number in excess of 1100 (one thousand one hundred) people.
My prayer at the beginning of this year is that you too have the blessing to “ DO GOOD, TO BE RICH IN GOOD DEEDS, TO BE GENEROUS, AND WILLING TO SHARE” That you can be part of these WAVES OF SOLIDARITY that are able to help mankind and bring joy to the heart of God.
God bless you
posted by gary @ 10:22 pm
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