Grammy and Papa left today for a month long trip to Africa. They have big plans of spending time with missionary friends, following up work they began years ago and starting some new projects too! Before they left, Grammy had a conversation with the girls about the school children in Africa. She explained to them the differences between the luxuries of paper, scissors, pencils and crayons that they take for granted and the school children in Africa who sit on dirt floors and practice what they learn on rocks. Adalie's immediate response was "I have lots of money I don't need.... maybe you could take it and buy the children some pencils and paper." Adalie ran and got all 99cents that she owned. This got us to thinking .... so the girls helped me type up a letter and they each made a presentation to their classes at school. They explained the same things that Grammy had told them and asked their friends if they wanted to join them in helping the school children of Africa. It was a chance for our children to see outside of themselves, to recognize the privileges they have that seem like rights, and to expand their world view. It was wonderful. Lots of sweet stories emerged, but 1 sticks out above the rest. One child had brought 75cents to buy hot chocolate, but instead she asked Adalie if she would walk to the office with her to put her 75cents in the collection for Africa!
We are grateful for grandparents that help shape our world view, that teach us about serving others, and that model love.
