Last night I worked the graveyard shift with my team from 11:00ish pm till 7:30ish am. The rain finally stopped but the wind persisted. About 20 refugees didn’t make it on the bus yesterday and stayed the night at the camp. Its 50 degrees outside with about 20mph winds. I go inside the tent to check on everyone and hear a baby crying. He is only wearing a dirty diaper and the mom is cradling over him. Quickly I find a new diaper and some wipes then find new clothes for the baby and get him warmed up. Next I realize that none of the adults have socks on. They were all either drenched and hanging up or simply left on the beach.
Now I hate shoes, with a passion. If my feet could handle it and it was culturally acceptable I would probably never wear shoes. But… have you ever tried falling asleep with cold feet? It is the worst! It is almost impossible to get a good nights sleep when your feet are freezing.
These refugees have abandoned everything. They are huddled under their blankets craving sleep knowing they have to push on harder tomorrow and that the fight is nowhere near finished.
Now to me… I have not thought much about socks… I hate shoes and I only packed 4 pairs of socks for the World Race. But to these people a simple pair of socks meant a better nights sleep, and a better nights sleep means that they can push onward tomorrow. They are nowhere close to the better life they are searching for and the road ahead is long and weary.
Sometimes all I have to give is a smile, a hug, a pair of socks… its easy to crave to give to those suffering in front of you but never forget you have so much to give to those around you, reach out give a smile, a hug, a laugh… sometimes the road is rough but a simple pair of socks can be all someone needs in that moment.
Tonight I head back out for another graveyard shift. Because the weather was clear today we expect the camp to be packed tonight and there will be much more suffering than we have seen the last few days… And I may even run out of pairs of socks… but I will not run out of smiles, hugs, laughs, and compassion.
I love each and every one of you and I plead with you… find a “pair of socks” to give to someone around you.
