After work is done each day, time to gather and tell stories of experiences is gifted to us all. We talked tonight as a group about things that have touched us, surprised us, and things we have learned these past days in coming to Ostroda. We would like to share some of those stories with you.
As the children leave the camp each day, they are given little goodie bags with candies and sweets to take with them. I gave one boy his bag which included a small container of mints. (he is in gray at the right of the bus door) He very gratefully said "thank you," and went to get on the bus to go back home. However, he stopped along the way to share his mints with the other children. Then, before he left, he came back and offered the last one to me. The children who are coming to the camp this week - including this boy - are very poor, victims of violence, and no doubt truly need much more than they have. Yet he shared all he had been given with others and with me.
~ Renee
I have been with a team painting in the apartment of an older man. When we left the first day, he said "thank you." He waits outside on the stairs while we paint during the day. Every time one of us goes to ask him a question, he continues to say "thank you" with a glowing face. He is always smiling even though he has experienced a great deal in his life. It is really nice to see someone so excited about what we are doing.
~Andre
In the continuing process of planning that takes place with an outreach like this, I found out last week that the children from the city would indeed be coming to the day camp every day this week. That would be around 80-100 kids or so for 3-4 hours each day. I was a bit nervous to see how this camp would be pulled off since the details of planning were ending up in my lap rather last minute. Once everyone arrived here on Sunday to work, we had people gladly volunteer to join in the "kid confusion." No one batted an eye at what there was still to do and organize, but jumped enthusiastcally in. We had 60 children come on Monday, and 80 today (Tuesday), and are hoping for more tomorrow.
~ Marisa
Next door to the small garden (yard) that we were cleaning out today for a family, there was an old man also out working in his garden. There were several trees/bushes that he was struggling to remove, so we decided to help him with that project. Even though it was such a small effort on our part, this man was so very happy that we had helped him. And we were happy to have been there to help.
~ John
There are many more stories being experienced every day. They happen for all of us wherever we are. Don't waste the time God is giving you with the people you come in contact with - whether it's for just 5 minutes, or 5 days, months or years, or even for a lifetime.
