The Fatherless
It’s Father’s Day eve. As Jesse prepares for an early morning round of golf and I wrap relatively frivolous gifts, my heart is far away in Ethopia with the fatherless.
I saw this photo on the Children’s HopeChest Facebook page, and it changed something inside of me. I emailed a friend at the HopeChest office to find out what this photo was all about, and I learned that this is a glimpse into the everyday lives of these 5-year-old boys and girls.
This is their classroom.
170 kindergarteners in one sweltering room with one teacher and no books. All they have is a deep desire for more. More food, more education, more hope. 170 of them. Together.
I love this quote from Tom Davis’s book Fields of the Fatherless:
To look into the face of a suffering child is to see the depth of humanity and the heart of God.
This is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night. It’s the kind of thing that makes me wish I had a magic wand that would instantly feed 170 bellies, produce 170 text books or shoes or clean clothes, and make 170 tiny hopes and dreams come true. I wish I had a magic wand that would instantly make the world a better place.
But I don’t. So I pray.
Tonight I pray for the fatherless.
Treat those around us as Jesus would if he were in their presence, or heard of their great need.
“I am one person. I can't do everything, but I can do something. I will not let what I CAN'T do interfere with what I CAN do.”
I am Going to Haiti on July 4th in this sweltering heat to touch a life or two. I think being there- where I CAN'T look away, or turn the page, or change the channel will have a profound and lasting impact on my life.
I'm pursuing that goal every day. Learning to trust God more and to live out of who He says I am. I'm recognizing that although I can't do everything, I can do something–as I listen to Him, as I follow His leading to be involved where He leads me. Otherwise, I get completely overwhelmed with all the pain and suffering in the world and I tend to bury my head in the sand and do nothing.
Be more like Jesus. I look at pictures like this and think that there's got to be something we can do to eradicate hunger, homelessness, etc. It breaks my heart, and I know it breaks God's heart more than mine.
I'll be praying for your trip!
That should be everyone's prayer.
Me too. I totally agree.
Recycle.
Not plastic, paper, and glass but all of the truly important things such as love, conversation, and clothing.
The love that I have been given by others, I can recycle and give to others who are hard to love.
I can recycle good conversation that I've had with others (fun or interesting stories) and share them with an older neighbor who hardly speaks to anyone but his dog.
Clothes that I barely wear, I can share with some of those other woman/girls in my community who would love to own nicer clothing but cannot afford them.
Luke 12:48 – “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required” – and since much has been given me, I will give to others.