What do you give to someone who has everything they need? Why were we buying for the sake of buying?
Seven years ago our family made the decision to pool our money spent on the adults and give it to a good cause.
The first year, I was living in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and volunteering at the Omoa Girls Home. There were eighteen, some orphans, who lived at this home. At that time, Lifeline Christian Mission had recently taken possession of this home and it was a very sad place.
With our Christmas money, we bought gifts for each girl and threw them a Christmas party. It was one of the most joyous Christmas celebrations I have ever had. My eyes are growing older and have lost the wonder and sparkle of Christmas morning. Yet, the eyes and faces of the girls burned images in my soul to carry me for years to come.
Their faces lit up as they opened dolls, toiletries, clothes and other goodies. One memory was a little three year old who chose an apple before any of the gifts. Apples were special and rarely did one have the money to buy such imported delicacies.
Since then we have supported various people, some of whom we have just written an anonymous check. Yet, the joy is the same, the joy of knowing you have blessed another's life.
This year we gave our Christmas money to Bertha. Bertha was our housekeeper in 1984-1991 in Harare Zimbabwe. Life has been hard: she is now a widow, her daughter has AIDS and she has been unemployed for years. Yet, she has faith that God will care for her and she trusts in an eternal home where there will be no more suffering. The knowledge that our money will be spent to help repair her home and put food on the table brings joy to our hearts. Merry Christmas, Bertha. We love you. (This photo of my sister and Bertha was taken last August in Zimbabwe)
My heart is full because of the joy of blessing another.
