Before I post a blog about our past week of MANistry, I want to tell you about the night I had on the streets of Chiang Mai.
Several days ago I walked out of a 7/11 store and a little girl came up to me begging for money. I gave her some of the change I had in my pocket and continued on to our guest house. The next day, as we were praying at a church in Burma, I remembered that girl and felt like I could have done more. I could have gone into the store and bought her food. It was a small thought, but I felt that the next time I came across something like that I would take more of a tangible action.
Skip ahead to tonight and I saw a mother and her young son and daughter begging on the front steps of a Burger King. They are visibly poor and seem to be homeless. Clearly depending on the donations from those passing by. I saw this same woman a little over a week ago when we were in Chiang Mai and I immediately knew that this was my chance to act.
But before I approached her, I witnessed something that was one of the most humbling things I have ever seen. A blind man was shaking his donation cup as he slowly walked down the sidewalk. People walking quickly past him as he sang and waited for the sound of the coins to hit his metal can. Now, the woman that I have described in front of Burger King took some money out of her cup, gave it to her daughter (about age 5) and told her to put the coins in the old man’s cup. Crazy! They took what little they had and blessed that man even if it meant losing money crucial to their daily living.
Well after witnessing that act, I was even more determined to buy food for this family. I approached her and asked her if she would like some food. She said yes and I asked if three hamburgers would be ok for her and her kids. She said yes again and so I went inside and purchased three hamburgers. I came back outside and gave her the bag and told her God Bless. She was so thankful! I have never felt more humbled or joyful than I did in that moment. I love how you can see God in the everyday, mundane times in life. I guess it goes to show that if we take the time to stop and look for God, we WILL see Him.
The woman and her kids (She agreed to the photo)
