Empathy and Gratitude

There is an old saying that we can never fully appreciate something until we have considered fully what it would be like without it. Far better to consider that than to have go through the actual loss of something (or someone) to find out.

I find it most humbling to be involved with people whose life circumstances have dealt them the blow of having to living under far less advantageous or even cruel conditions than I. Whether that blow is seemingly endless poverty, the absence of any daily sense of security from harm, the untimely loss of a loved one or the devastation of a missing leg or arm, these blows in life to others seems to bring a certain unique character to people. I dare not say I would stand as well as those that still carry on under those adverse conditions. Even though somewhat uncomfortable to our sensibilities, it does a world of good for us to be exposed to the hardships of others especially if we take the time to consider what it would be like for us if we were made to live under those same conditions. It's called empathy.

Empathy does not come without cost. It can actually hurt to relate to someone on that level. That is why many people choose to "turn away" from someone elses circumstances as it begins to make them start to feel uncomfortable. There is a benefit to it as well though. Empathy, by it's nature, can form a much deeper gratitude in us for or in spite of our own circumstances - even circumstances that we normally treat as uncomfortable or even with disdain.

Children who grow up with a healthy attitude of empathy will very likely grow up to be very grateful children, even more so if their parents carry that trait in them and actually communicate that to them. They are the very ones who will walk across the playground in school and without a single passing thought of "what the other kids will think of them" and offer to be a friend to that unpopular child, or the child that is being bullied, or that child that just doesn't fit in.

We might do well to learn something from being exposed to the lives of others less fortunate than us

- Something that is almost guaranteed to change how we think about our own lives. It's called Gratitude.

So the next time your child or grandchild complains about having to go to a well funded school like this,







Or to have to wear designer clothes like this,




show them a picture ...

of this makeshift school in Uganda, a country where children often can only dream of going to school,






Show them a picture ...


of children who would love to have more than one set of clothes even if it is only rags as is often the case.

Better yet,

do your child a favor and print these pictures and hang them around your house a little higher than their head and let their curiosity lead to a conversation about them. Children, unless they have been hardened, are naturally curious and empathetic. Don't make a lecture out of it. Let their curiosity and empathy lead the conversation. We might even learn something from from how they respond.


I'm sure Mukulu Jonathan, the director of Oasis Orphan Care Ministry (OOCM) and Okiror Geofrey, the director of Support Orphans And Street Kids (SOASK) in Uganda won't mind at all. They love children...

You can find out more about those local efforts in Uganda in the menu to the left. There is even a PayPal "Donate" button on each page where if so led you can connect your Empathy with your Actions. You can also "Donate" through my personal General Fund which goes to the needs as they present themselves. I never have to wait very long at all.

TODAY (09/08/2004) school just started in Uganda. There are children hoping and praying to go back to school - many of them orphans.  On average it costs about 25.00 USD for fees and supplies per quarter to send a child to school - a fortune for those living in poverty in Uganda. I can't think of anything more "sustainable" than a child's education.

Tenacity

TENACITY IN SERVING OTHERS
You know, I have noticed a consistent characteristic among some of my friends that bares mentioning. Maybe you all can help me to understand how to describe it. It came up again today for the umpteenth time.

I had this burden for Okiror Geofrey (SOASK) for the last 4 days and a sense that his life was in danger (again). We are close like that so I'm not going to try and explain that. This time that sense didn't go away. No communication at all for over 4 days. I get a chat popup today and although he was too weak to chat much it was a relief to "hear" from him for a few minutes. He had come down with Malaria. Here not so much a problem. There in Uganda? Untreated? - Deadly. He told me that his relatives had found him in bad condition at his new quarters and carried him for treatment and now was at a relatives still being treated. That was a very close call. But the real clincher is this. I was telling him that his needs must be taken care of and that we need to really pray that through. His things and bed got stolen from his old place so he has been sleeping on the concrete at the new location where they found him. His last chat line before he got cut off chat?:

"Please pray for the children. My life is nothing seeing that I am doing well (now)". (Translation: Never mind me. Pray for the children.)

Almost 24 years old. Dedicated in heart. Loves the children, the widows, the poor. Driven by it. I've observed it time after time. More than I have room to express here although it would make good reading. Maybe even conviction.

Then there is Mukulu Jonathan (OOCM). Five years and running. Ups and downs, Bouts with malaria, Provision slowing down to a trickle, People get really sick, Some die, more are orphaned, Thick and thin I have observed him get back up from every potential crisis and go at it again. "God will do it... Prayer!.." I can hardly count the amount of times that I have tried to mention his needs to him and he will come back with,

"Focus on the children, the orphans, the widows, the destitute, Prayer, God will provide, It will get better... I know."

 I thought I knew something about tenacity before meeting him but I have learned more from him than I have given. There have been times when I have said in my heart, "Oh my God! This can't be happening." and he is under more pressure and hurting and yet he will come back from that experience ready to fight the good fight. He is like a cheerleader in the villages there cheering people on when sometimes it seems hopeless. Somebody from Uganda once said about him, "He loves those children." And there are a lot of them.

Then there is Luthy Monica a young nursing student in her twenties. I actually met Mukulu through her for which I owe her a debt of gratitude. She actually and amazingly got to go to nursing school for at least a year. but her "groom" mother fell ill of a debilitating long term illness and so her needs and that of her younger brothers fell in her lap making it even more of a struggle.

One thing became apparent that in her mind and heart, they come first. As much as it is her dream to become a nurse she will constantly choose to put others first. If I mention Mukulu and the children she has some inner priority that she will immediately turn attention on them even though she has serious needs herself. Ironically, Mukulu does the same thing when I mention Luthy. I mentioned her struggles to become a nurse once to Okiror (who doesn't even know her) and and his response surprised me. "Then she needs to be take care of first!" They know the value of a nurse. They know the struggle between life and death. Luthy was orphaned at a young age. She has that same quality about her. Others come first. The children come first. Yet, she is tenacious in her seemingly impossible pursuit to become a nurse. Not surprisingly, those seem like the qualities of a good nurse as well.

Prayer: Nursing Student - Uganda

REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION AND PRAYER
(PLEASE pass this on to friends and lists)

I'd like to (No I NEED to) request prayer and consideration of the nursing school needs for this young christian lady in Uganda. At this point it is a desperate need. Her nursing school term started on Feb. 10th, 2014. She has not been able to start because she lacks the funds to do so. Luthy Monica has struggled in faith for over a year now to attend nurses training at Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery in Jinja, Uganda. She has run the race so far with all she has. She needs help and prayer to run this race to the finish line.

Unlike the rest of the students in her nursing school who come from affluent families, Luthy and her two younger brothers are orphans. She is attempting and has been walking in something for a while that is virtually impossible for someone in her circumstances without the prayers and help of others.

I just got finished "chatting" with her online... sad yet hopeful...

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

I wonder how many lives will be saved from disease during the lifetime of just one nurse in Uganda...

If you can help with this need please contact me via facebook or email: paulrapoza@yahoo.com There is also a page I maintain for Luthy on my blog here that has a donation button specifically for her: 
Nursing: Luthy Monica
You can also see pictures there of her and "family"...

Below is a brief summary of the needs:

$400.00 Tuition and Fees
$100.00 Domestic expenses
$100.00+ for her brothers' schooling needs

God bless you for reading, sharing and caring...
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.