I received a gift today

I woke up this morning to hand deliver some of the shoes that had been requested but, for some reason, never picked up. It was amazing to see firsthand the neighborhoods where the kids we are helping live in. The two mobile home parks I visited today were a small glimpse of the poverty that surrounds all of us, but that we turn away from rather than see it for what it is. At both areas, the only place to play was the roadways, and these were filled either with garbage or cars. Each home I visited either had a few broken windows or windows that missing completely. Probably not so bad in the summer when it's 90 degees and there is no A/C for your trailer home. But what about the winter? One unit was filled with mattresses and little else. Certainly no real space to sit down and do your homework, or have any privacy. We should all count our blessings. The best part of delivering the shoes personally was getting to meet some of the familiy members of the kids. The appreciation and gratitude from families is wonderful. It's amazing how smiles, hugs, and tears can translate across a language barrier. My hope is that we make a small difference in the lives of these kids and their parents, letting them know there are people who care.