Problems with Neighbors part 2

I am overdue on writing this post, but I thought it was worth sharing.  Back in November, we had a lot of things on the to do list the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We traditionally decorate the house for Christmas that Saturday and Rich was just getting back from a conference and trip to the capital, in addition to a last minute trip to our town by a pastor from a neighboring country.  As if all that were not enough, we had our regular time of letting the kids go out to play with the neighborhood children and the ensuing refereeing of arguments, etc., with other children. 

Some children had been playing in front of the house and had come into the courtyard to get a drink of water.  That was not a problem until our children had gone back out side but the neighbor kids were still in the courtyard.  I stepped outside our door to ask them politely to go outside the gate.  Most were understanding but one decided to be sassy/ cheeky towards me.  He went a step too far.  I tried to talk with him and he ran away.  I foolishly tried to catch him, since I was wearing a long snug skirt, so it was no surprise when I tripped and fell scraping my elbow.  It was also foolish to try to chase a boy whose parents I knew.  It was my foolish thinking to try to catch him, but his foolishness to be rude to someone who knows his parents.  I dusted myself off and went directly to visit his parents.

I hated to wake his mother who was sleeping because she was sick.  I asked to speak to his father, and one of the older children went to get him.  He entered the living room and woke his wife.  I told them what he had done.  I told them that I would want to know if my child had done something like that, so I felt sure they would want to know as well.  I know they try to be good parents and would not want their child behaving that way.  They apologized.  Then the father began going on about how much television the children watch and what type of shows they should not be allowed to watch.  I was not going to speak on that but rather let them make their own minds up about that. I left their house with the air being clear and our relationship as neighbors in tact.  I guess television is an issue no matter which side of the ocean one lives on.

As a side note, the mother sent over a bunch of grapefruits a few days later.  Good neighbors!

Giving to the Poor at Christmas

Last week, I had decided to deliver some food staples to a few people as preparation for giving to others in celebration of the gift of God in the giving of His Son Jesus.  Actually I had decided a few months ago that I was wanting to give to a couple of ladies in particular.  Unfortunately, whenever it worked out that I was going to do it, it was very close to one of the local holidays and I did not want there to be any confusion about why I was giving the items.  I did not want to be thought of as anything other than a follower of Jesus nor that my gift was a sacrifice to gain bonus points with God.  In addition, most of the people around us would be considered poor by American standards and giving to anyone at those holidays opens a can of worms for others that are in need.  It was just easier to say that we were not giving at all at those holidays because we are not of that religion.

Last Friday I finally delivered on something God had laid upon my heart to do.  The first house was a widow whose husband died just a few months ago and she is still in her time of mourning, meaning she does not leave the house.  I took some rice and a few others items that are basics for cooking along with a package of cookies for the children.  The kids were excited and I got to pray with the widow.  I shared with her why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the promised Savior, and that Jesus had also taught us to give to others as well.  They were very appreciative and kind.  The widow was fasting that day but was going to go out later to get food, but now she did not have to go searching for food.  God provides just in time.

The other stop was made that afternoon.  It had been a while since I had been to the house, so I thought I was lost when a house was being built in the way of the route I had gone before.  I did not recognize the way, but eventually just kept driving from what I remembered and found the house.  I was trying to be inconspicuous but that is impossible for a white person to do around here, especially one caring a rather heavy bag of rice, etc.  This house was the residence of my lettuce lady from the market whose husband had died about the end of February.  I gave them the items for which they too were grateful.  I met some other members of the family, including the widow's mother who is paralyzed from the waist down, as best I can understand it.  I shared with them like I did at the other house, about the real meaning of Christmas and how we are taught to care for others as well.  A male family member was there visiting who interjected that Jesus had no father, a comment which took me a bit off guard.  The comment is not uncommon in this setting, but I was just not anticipating it right then.  So as to expound though on what he had said, I turned to the story of the angel's appearing to Mary.  It would both explain that he had no earthly biological father and thus the reason that Jesus is called the Son of God.  I ended my time with them by praying for the elderly mother's health and the children's school as well as peace for the family.  Before I left, they gave me some lettuce and tomatoes to bring home. 

How strange it feels sometimes to be given when one goes to give.  I was giving out of my abundance, while they were giving out of their poverty.  Of course that brings to mind how much God has given to me, and how little I have to give back to Him.  Oh that I would be as grateful as that family and as ready to give back to Him as they were to give to me.