Sometimes the smallest gesture makes the biggest difference.
Recently I spoke at a Church Women United gathering in Eugene. I noticed that much of the conversation around the tables and from the speakers focused on changing homelessness, global warming and other ills through voting, marching at the courthouse, and speaking up at city council meetings.
It’s a universal urge, I think, to want to change the world from how it is to how we think it ought to be.
When we were in Kenya 15 years ago to set up a school at a home for street boys, the country’s rampant corruption was a frequent topic of conversation. You couldn’t buy property, get a driver’s license or get a package at the post office without paying a bribe, we were told.
One day my husband, Paul, was driving me and two of the Kenyan teachers, George and Benard, to school. Once again, the teachers were discussing how hard it was to get anything done in that country.
“In order for Kenya to change,” I asked them, “does it need to begin at the top, with the government or at the bottom, with ordinary people?”
--to continue reading the article, go here--
It's good to hear from you Dorcas. I enjoyed your post very much. Those small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact on one's life. Our family has sort of "adopted" an lady from church. It all started with me blurting out an invitation to Christmas dinner after finding out she was going to be alone. I'd only met her once when I was new to the church and new to helping in the church nursery. Now as a result we have her over every holiday for dinner and we have become such good friends.
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall your Dad's birthday being this month but I can't remember the date. How is he doing?
Bless you for instigating that friendship!
DeleteDad will be 102 years old on Nov. 26. He is doing well!
Would he appreciate a birthday card from a complete stranger? I just think that the Lord giving him all these years is special. I could send a card to your address and you could forward it to him.
DeleteHe would love to hear from you! Pretty sure it's ok if I post the address publicly in case anyone else wants to do the same--
DeleteAmos Yoder
c/o Marcus Yoder
53248 365th St.
Grove City, MN 56243
Thank you Dorcas! I will mail it today but it will arrive late.
DeleteI am glad you posted too! I think your newspaper picture is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteDorcas, can't read the article. I tried to click on the "here" and it takes me to some newspaper site that is covered with popups ads and continually reloading, has an ad banner right across the middle of the article. My computer is too old for all that and the site closed on me three times because it has all these constantly moving graphics. It would have been nice to have actually been able to read the post.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that.
DeleteMy contract with the newspaper has changed and my article is no longer "mine" to use and redistribute as I wish, unfortunately.
Our world has taken a very definite wrong turn, and it seems a monumental, complex task to get it going in the right direction again. It is good to be reminded that every person can contribute by spreading joy, help and understanding to the people within arms' reach.
ReplyDeleteDorcas, I really loved this article. I think one of the reasons I sometimes feel so overwhelmed sometime is that I think I have to fix it all, when I only need to take the next step. I love the quote by Edward Everett Hale, "I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything. But still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do." Also, I can totally understand that little Amish girl feeling....:)
ReplyDeleteHi Lori--Love the quote, and I find it comforting to know you also know that little Amish girl feeling!
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