What would America be like if kids offered to help adults
without being asked? For our first two days at the Canaan Orphanage in Haiti, it has felt
as though the boys have served us more than we have served them. They showed us
to our beds, got us towels, ironed Phil’s (my teammate) pants, and helped us
wash and hang all of our clothes by hand, teaching us how to do it the best
way, all with joy and gladness to help, never being told help. They have chores
and responsibilities every day, and this has obviously made helping others with
such things a natural part of their lifestyle. One of the older boys,
Stevenson, even suggested tonight that I read the young boys a story from the
Bible before bed. He’s 14 by the way, and Im assuming he reads to them some
nights himself. Do you know 14 year-old American children who read to their
younger siblings from the Bible without being told to by their parents? God has
shown Phil and I so vividly already how tremendous of a difference it can make
in the shaping of someone’s character to give them responsibilities to care for
their property and space at a young age. Take notes parents and future-parents.
Loving our kids doesn’t mean doing everything for them. Loving them means
wanting them to grow into full men and women, which requires us to provide room
for them to mature on their own. I am honored to be living with these children
for a month, and it would honor God if you please pray for their development as
people during the time we have with them and beyond.
Thank you and I hope to hear more from everyone on comments
back to me! Holla back! God bless and love always,
Tommy
