Not another day!!

As I heard her speaking, my heart sank. The room started spinning as I held back the tears. I sat in shock and nodded as Gail Johnson explained to me about women in South Africa. We left the police station and went back to the village. I had a blank gaze and watery eyes as I came into the meeting. Tiny began to tell a story of a woman who had been diagnosed HIV positive and overcame all obstacles. She began inspiring many women, running marathons, and becoming successful. Soon after, she was raped and murdered. My heart couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed the keys and walked swiftly back to our cottage. I busted through the door and fell on the ground. The tears didn’t stop for hours. I lay on the ground. I was so angry.

So angry that the women here have no rights. So angry that they are told they don’t have value. They don’t have any say. They can’t protect their sexuality. They cannot protect themselves from their own husbands. They are used and abused. Their husbands or boyfriends sleep around and they cannot question or protect themselves. They contract HIV. Then, they are thrown out on the streets with their children. They have no means to take care of themselves, let alone their children. They must steal, kill, or sell themselves in order to survive. Soon, they die and leave their kids to live this same life.

This is the most heart-breaking thing. Why don’t I have this life?

Why must they live this miserable hopeless life and not me?

Why was I not the one who was rejected and left for dead by my own family?

What did they do to deserve this?

When will this stop?

My heart was in a million pieces on the floor I lie on. I cried out to God. He answered. He surrounded me with HIS LOVE. I wept even more for the women of South Africa. As Craig walked in, He reminded me that I have God’s Love. I am weeping because God loves them so much and He is heartbroken…and He is letting me experience that. I am reminded of God’s grace. I am reminded to be thankful that I wasn’t born into that and to DO SOMETHING about it. I have been greatly blessed. We all have been greatly blessed, and because of that we must do something with that blessing.

Each of us was created with something that grabs our hearts. Some injustice that hits us to the core, some dream that is on our heart. We cannot just pretend like it isn’t there, we cannot let fear or doubt stop us from doing it. We must dream. We must act now. Don’t waste another moment. People are getting raped and murdered. Children are starving. People are dying.

YOU CAN DO SOMETHING!!!

Maybe you have artistic abilities…start selling your artwork and donate the money to an orphanage or organization.

Maybe you are an athlete…donate your old jerseys, start a sports camp in a needy neighbourhood.

Maybe you have money…go to a third world country and help or send someone to help.

Maybe you have time…search the internet and find out needs and let your neighbourhood or church know.