“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
One day a dear friend of mine was collecting things from people at church in big bags. Being my usual curious (nosy) self, I asked her what she was collecting. Now, the collecting part is not unusual. We collect plastic grocery bags to be made into mats for homeless, empty water bottles to redeem for a nickel each, the lids for the bottles to re-cycle into playground equipment, hygiene products for prisoners, and on and on. You get the idea. But, this was a bag full of clothes for something I had not been introduced to before…the Dominican Republic. I wanted in!
I have not ever really had an interest in the Caribbean. Oh, I know people who have come from there, and I really like them. I do enjoy looking at the beaches and looking at items that come from there, even trying their foods. I just was not ever interested in going there. Until…
My good friend told me of families in the Dominican Republic that live below the poverty level in virtual shacks, while the government lives at a much higher standard. There is no help from the government there like the stimulus money we received. This child in the photo, Zayda, was chomping chomping on a bone in the last photo I received! In this photo she is smiling wearing a dress my Mom made and we sent to her family along with clothes and food items.
When I see this type of image, and hear the story, I am moved with compassion. ‘What can I do to help alleviate someone’s suffering’, I asked my friend. The Lord has blessed be beyond measure, I want to give back.
Here are some ways we can help;
Pray! God has not forgotten them, but, they may be so engrossed in just surviving, that prayer may not be on their radar, so we must pray!
Give; If you have summer clothes that are still in good condition and you want to give them away, please reply to me. We can arrange a way to get them. My friend says they are in need of everything!
Sew: If you can sew, there are simple dress patterns from pillow cases. Now that mask sewing is kind of worn down, you may want to switch to dresses. My Mom did, she is enjoying it. You can reply to me for a pattern, or go to Pinterest. You can buy new cases, or use old ones that still have wear in them. Funny and sweet story we received in response to one of the shipments to the Dominican Republic; When Zayda wears one of the dresses we sent to her, she tells people she got the dress from her ‘friend’ I really enjoy being a friend to a child! How about you?
Give $ for food items. My friend takes any donations she gets and sends 50 pound bags of rice, oil, hygiene products, canned goods and other items to help sustain them until they can work again. Remember, they are in lock-down too. Their government does not have ‘safety nets’ to help them. They often come here to work (that is how my friend met Zayda’s great-grandmother. But, corona virus has stopped workers, so there is no money to send back. The items we send get distributed among a small group of people that help each other. Again, contact me in reply, I will respond!
While thinking of Zayda, I began to think of my own heritage. My grandfather escaped Austria-Hungary when he began to see the signs of Communist Russia’s plan to take over. If he had not been courageous enough to pick up himself and his wife and leave all that he knew behind, my life would have been a world away, and so different! I am so thankful to my courageous ancestors, an so many others that come to the USA to make a better life for their families. Yet, I cannot help but think of Zayda, and ‘but for the Grace of God, there go I!’
If the Lord has blessed you, if you are grateful for your brave immigrant grand or great-grand parents, why not show it in a tangible way. Maybe you can be Zayda’s Hope? Or maybe the hope and outstretched hand of Christ to someone you know?
I know there are many ways you can give to those in need. In fact on this day that we celebrate the ‘love of Mother’s ‘, show some love to those less blessed than you are. This is a hard month for the homeless. Maybe donate to Keystone Rescue on Olive St. in Scranton. They are always in need of coats, hats and scarves, and cash! Also, NEW socks and hygiene items in hotel sized packages. Let us know what you decide to do with your ‘thankful heart.’
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