life lesson while brushing teeth

Andrew was brushing his teeth while leaving the water on. It was bugging me.  I couldn't help but think about the sweet children in Ghana, West Africa that walked to the nearest river on their lunch break to bring back a pail of water.

** The Africa pictures are poor quality because I took a picture of the picture in my scrapbook

Here are the children just getting back to the school after going to the river

Do you see the boys coming down the road? Look to the right

This is the school. Open window, dirt floor, poor supplies if any- but JOY overflowing

I said, "Andrew do you know there are little boys and girls who don't get to brush their teeth, who don't have water at their house, who don't even have a house?" He looked at me and said , "Come on Mommy!" (that little stinker!). I proceeded to tell him about my trip to Africa and how blessed he is. - Yes, I know he is three. I know all he understands is the world right in front of him, but I pray that my kids can see past themselves and the materialistic culture we live in- After he finished brushing his teeth I showed him my Africa scrapbook and he loved it. He asked to look at it over and over. He wanted me to tell him all about the pictures. I thought to myself.... maybe he will remember this when he is brushing his teeth or washing his hands. The next day came around and the lesson clearly did not stick but I reminded him and I pray that God would use our conversation to help him think past himself. I do pray that  my kiddos have a heart for the nations!

I went to Ghana after my freshmen year of college. I went with Stephanie, who discipled me in college and is still an encouragement to me, and Renee who has such a fun loving personality. The picture below was taken as we got off the plane from Africa landing in Atlanta. The dresses we are wearing were given to us as gifts from the locals.

Stephanie, Renee, Me

Life changing does not even begin to describe our experience. I will never forget the month I spent there. I did not want to come when I did and my feelings still remain the same: I hope to go back. When Mark and I first got married it was our dream to move overseas to be missionaries. Actually, when I interviewed for my first job, as an elementary school teacher, one of the questions was "where do you see yourself in 10 years?". I told them in Africa! I really would love to live in Africa one day.

 

I remember driving on dirt roads until there were no more roads. Then we would detour and drive on a dried up riverbed. In the picture the below the people you see helped us get out of the mud. Yes, our van got stuck in a muddy river bed. They pushed and pushed...

.... and then ran alongside our can with excitement... we were coming to their village!

I loved the day we went 'up north'. We were the first white people that some of these children had ever seen. I remember the look on this little girls face- she was probably 2 or 3- she ran to hid behind a tree when she saw us. She was so scared she began crying and her mother had to go get her from behind the tree. They lived in mud huts and were so thankful for what they did have.

Yes, you see extentions in my hair! The missionaries house help wanted to put blond extentions in my hair... so I let them. Never again. Talk about painful!

Do you have any ideas on how to help your children see past themselves? Understand the world? Have a heart for the nations? Build compassion?

One family has a rice night once a month. I love that idea! She says:

We explain to the boys that the money we would have spent on our dinner we are now putting in the jar instead. Once we have the jar full I divide the money up among the boys and take them to the grocery store. There they get to buy healthy food, pay for it and deliver it to our church’s food pantry (where they know people who are hungry come to get food). For dinner the only option is rice. However, later in the night if they are hungry I let them snack – I want it to be a positive experience. It has been cool to see how the older two boys now frequently ask “Is it Rice Night yet?”…and they don’t really like rice.

What are some things your family did growing up or that you do now that have impacted your character?