is LOVE, HOPE, SURVIVAL…
Today I read a beautiful testimony of love from Ericka Bennett, who has given her voice, her heart, and all that is within her to speak for, stand up for, and completely love orphans. She wrote the following several months ago and it brought me to tears…
“We arrived at the Speel Clinic (which means play clinic in Afrikans) around 1:00pm. I was not prepared for what I found there. 200 children and just our team! They fought – literally FOUGHT each other for our attention. They clung to us – begged to be held – hugged us and wouldn’t let go. So starved for attention! I wondered, when was the last time these children were hugged? Held? Kissed? Told “I love you”?
It was freezing outside – the wind was so strong it made it hard to stand. The team was bundled in layers and big winter coats; the children were in short sleeves, skirts, and shorts – many of them barefoot – shivering i
n the cold. I braced against the wind and cuddled 3 year old Ily closer, trying desperately to keep her warm. Three more children clung to my legs shivering. As I stood there with them in the street, more children surrounded me- singing to me, asking my name, and reaching for my hand. Feeling overwhelmed, I looked around…
n the cold. I braced against the wind and cuddled 3 year old Ily closer, trying desperately to keep her warm. Three more children clung to my legs shivering. As I stood there with them in the street, more children surrounded me- singing to me, asking my name, and reaching for my hand. Feeling overwhelmed, I looked around…Every team member looked the same. From five to twenty children surrounding them, shivering in the cold, begging for attention. I felt the tears begin to fall. “There are too many Lord!” I cried. “There are too many that need to be hugged, held, loved! I want to call them by name – to look them all in the eye and tell them they’re loved and valued. To teach them, to listen to them, to care for them. But how, Lord? There are too many desperate children… and only one of me…”
I fought back tears as little Ily wrapped her arms tighter around my neck and kissed my cheek.
I pulled it together for a while, until meal time came. For the kids it’s usually just half an apple and milk. For most, that’s their only meal all day. Today, because of the cold, they had a little chicken soup and bread. After everyone in the classroom (which would only hold around 50) had been served a cup, Eunice asked who wanted more…
Fifty hungry hands shot out fighting to get to the front, begging for more. It broke me. No child should ever go hungry! But for these children, hunger is a part of everyday. I stood there holding Ily, asleep in my arms, as the room full of children scrambled for food, and the tears began to fall…
“One child at a time.” That’s the voice of God I always hear when I’m with the children… one child at a time.
I was reminded tonight of the story of the starfish…”it made a difference to that one”…
Today was Ily’s day. We cuddled in the cold until she fell asleep on my chest. I prayed for her, whispered “I love you” in her ear, and gave her kisses and hugs all day. I fed her lunch when she woke up and held her tight when she wrapped her arms around my neck and snuggled close again. Today, she was loved.
One child at a time.
It made a difference to that one.”
So what can you do?
Take Action
Show Love
Give Hope
I encourage you all to take action, to show love and give hope to those who are without. Go out and move within the World and show God’s love. One way is through actions and another way is through a simple gift. It is that time of year where we rush to the stores to find that “perfect” gift…that gift that shows the ones we love that they are loved, that they are cared for, that they are seen. We watch in such anticipation as they tear open the shiney packages that once were piled under the beautifully decorated tree. Well, now you have an amazing opportunity to give and help support others around the world.
“As you’re Christmas shopping, why not buy something that makes a real difference in the world? Check out these three options that take your buying power up from more than just getting a great product. With each purchase you bring hope to orphans, widows, and women being rescued from the sex trade. You’re also impacting their families and their communities! Who knew a t-shirt, scarf, or purse could have that much power?
The proceeds from just one t-shirt is enough to feed an orphan in Swaziland one meal a day for over a month! The Sound of Hope is a music-driven campaign that raises money and awareness for orphans in Swaziland, Kenya, and India. Find out more by finding our fan page and group on Facebook, or add us as a friend on myspace!
Corridor of Hope – click here to buy handmade jewelry and beautiful silk scarves from Thailand and India!
At Corridor Of Hope we are devoted to connecting orphans, poverty stricken communities and YOU. We are the corridor, a passageway to help people who can’t help themselves. We help bring them hope by bringing you quality and affordable products from these countries. In turn, Corridor Of Hope will donate these resources back into their communities by supporting orphans, thereby empowering YOU to help in a multifaceted way. We will bring you updates and newsletters regarding the orphans and how your purchase made a difference in their lives.
TIMBALI CRAFTS are created by women who work as volunteer cooks at feeding centers for orphans in Swaziland, Africa, where over 40% of the population is HIV positive.
Many of the women have been widowed or abandoned, are single mothers, or grandmothers raising grandchildren that have been orphaned. Craft sales help provide an income for these hard working women and their families who would otherwise have little or none.”
Please consider giving the gift of LOVE, HOPE, SURVIVAL
