presents and balloons.
guitars and singing.
crafts and glitter.
smiles and laughter.
this is what my day was filled with. surrounded by a room full of children running around with smiles on their faces. as if they had just received the most amazing gift...the best gift in the world.
probably because they quite possibly could have. at least what they thought to be the best.
i've learned so much just through this day.
i've learned so much just by embracing people for who they are.
through reaching out to those who have nothing.
through looking into the eyes of homeless children.
through walking in the poverty stricken streets and seeing the despair.
i have been called.
we all have been called.
to reach out your hand to those who are fearful.
to spread hope to those who have long lost their hope.
[let me share a bit of my day with you...]
i woke up at 6:30am and headed downtown Detroit to an empty gym on Military Ave. people were already lining up at the church steps. a tiny old church on a destructed street corner.
i went inside to the gym to find a place of warmth. i walked into an empty room being decorated into a Christmas celebration. nothing fancy. just a group of volunteers bustling around. they were in a rush to transform the empty room into a place of joy.
it was no longer just a gym, it was a refuge.
a countless number of families came flooding through the doors at approximately 9am. and headed straight for my table.
i stood at a table complete with doughnuts, coffee, and juice. children came rushing up to me looking for a treat. quite possibly one of the only treats they would have all week long.
after the children had gotten their treats they were taken by a volunteer while their parents went across the street to a church service. across the street the parents were handed boxes of holidays chickens and food. as well as food, they were given the true message of Jesus Christ. they were given the Christmas story. for many, the first time.
people were transformed. hearts were changed within this one hour.
now back to my side of the street...
where there are children being embraced in the arms of strangers.
taken in by loving arms.
there are children running around to craft tables.
there is a man handing out twisted balloons.
there is a pastor giving a children's sermon.
and a man singing songs with them.
there are gifts being graciously handed to each child as they walk through the doors.
and then there is my heart breaking a million times over. to see these children. these beautiful children. and to know they have been living their lives in poverty. and may never get out.
then i meet them. i finally meet them. the three children i have heard so much about.
Ricardo (6), Beredya (8), and Lewis (10).
they are living in a house with broken hinges and sheets for doors. they all sleep in the same room. and under the same two sheets. they have no mattresses to lay down on and they have no pillows for their heads.
their room looks like more of a storage space than a living space. they have no toys except the gifts they had recieved this day.
they have nothing except a few sleeping bags that we had brought over for them.
they are living in a house with 4 adults. 5 at times when their uncle needs a place to crash.
their mother is carrying around a 1 week old boy. ...while their father still sleeps in the room next door.
i wonder how they live day to day.
i can see through their mothers eyes all the years of struggles.
i hear her words, praying for a safe place for a her children.
praying that they can one day be happy.
i want to make a difference. i want to be their hope.
i long for a way to change their lives.
Ricardo.
such a precious child. such a happy face behind all his trials.
now for the difference i long to make...
i would love to send him to camp. just one week of peace and joy among other children. i know this may be a good chunk of money out of my pocket, but what else will i use it on?
more books? more coffee? more shoes?
so this is my mission...send Ricardo to camp. and if i can save up enough money, i would like to send his brother and sister as well.
(i know this is a long lost cry that may never be heard, but if YOU would like to help send Ricardo to camp. or if YOU would like to help this family in any other way, then please, please, please let me know. I would love to make this happen. )
most of all, i ask for your prayers for this family.
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