Perhaps the crowning activity that can be engaged in to mend heartaches and disappointments is to visit those who are less fortunate. Such was our privilege as we drove through poverty-stricken townships and entered the trash-strewn area by the gates leading into the welcoming arms of our little orphan friends. As hungry for food as they must be, they first reach out their tiny, black arms for loving hugs. Their sticky hands and dusty heads nuzzle against us and remind us that unconditional love is one of the greatest anecdotes for human suffering on both sides. Tears cannot be restrained as we hug these rag-tag little ones with their dim, fearful eyes seeking reassurance that they are loved and that help is on the way. I placed some caps on chilly heads and gave generously from a store of embraces.
Thank you Heather and Melia and other kind hearts and willing hands who send hats, socks, gloves and other gifts to help these deserving little ones endure the onset of winter days and nights. I loved kissing their sweet faces even though they are usually stained with tears, sticky with slobbers, yesterday’s food rations and other stuff I don’t think I want to know about. We were proudly shown their clever little indoor plumbing facilitator – a small bucket to fit a tiny tush.
A female prisoner’s son was among those little ones clinging to us. Other troubled faces belonged to two little ones who had been abandoned for nine days. One baby at the orphanage was rescued after being found in a box. Another one was found intentionally enclosed in a refrigerator. Two small siblings holding hands were wandering aimlessly down the center of the street in the middle of the night when they were scooped up by police and brought to “Mama” to love after the pattern of Mother Teresa and the Savior. Some of the children have AIDS. All need food, shelter . . . and love. According to some statistics, a child in Africa loses a parent every 14 seconds. How sad! My problems seem so insignificant now.
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“The fruit of faith is love, and the fruit of love is service.” ~ Mother Teresa |
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for filling me with joy! My cup runneth over … with love.
Chuck and I imagine that the couple walking along the road is a faithful duo of Senior Missionaries.
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