The Rollerskate

Poverty is sort of an ambiguous thing here in Benin. By stastics clearly Benin is one of the poorest countries
in Africa. But it doesn't get much coverage world wide as such since there aren't really any famines, wars, pestilences,
and other such unfortunate happenings. There are poor people all around, but there are rich too. Many people simply
just do not know how to plan their lives. They may have millions of francs at the bank, but are afraid to use it lest
it be wasted, and meanwhile they suffer. A friend of mine told me that you ask for all the poor in a quarter to come to
recieve some handout be it food or clothes, the prefecture or government official will be the first on their, though he is
one of the richest. Many people simply claim poverty. Others do not plan their families and keep producing children
without the means to support them and they in a way willingly plunge into poverty. Whatever the case we do what
we can to help those around us, although jealously is killer. Help one family and all the neighbors will be down your back
wondering why you did not help them. But that's another topic.
Yet despite the misgivings on who is really poor, it is still a sad sight to see all the children suffer. I was really
moved the today (June 2) as I saw this little girl rolling on a rolling skate down the dirt path. The fact that
she had only one and that back was torn off was not all that got me. I recognized the roller skate, it was one of those
fisher price plastic kind, that I used as a kid. Where you would strap the thing onto your shoe and go skating.
I just realized how blessed I have been. Those roller skates probably got sold in a yard sale. And maybe eventually
some other child in Africa is playing with one or both of them. For this little girl that was all she needed. How much
can I give really? Desire of Ages chapter 9 talks about Jesus growing years, how sometimes He even went without
a meal to share it someone who had none. Ministry of Healing page 87 says that "it was Heaven to be in His presence." Even
with all those burdens and struggles! I know that in one day I won't solve all my issues, that I won't become the completely selfless
person I so dream of being, but as each day comes around I pray to God to become more and more like Him, God is love.
P.S. About the child next door with Pale Face Phobia, he is getting much better, even comes in our house to play, although
he still won't venture too near Manny, maybe it's the beard, makes him look a little I don't know, scarry? Or perhaps the child
has never seen black hair on pale skin, who knows.