Journal 122, January 2005
She Only Wanted to Say Thank You
When you live in one of the poorest countries in the
world, but come from one of the wealthiest, people look
at you differently. With 70% of the people unemployed
and two-thirds of the population hungry many see an
American as an opportunity to get a job and if not,
at least a little money for a meal. One of the hazards
against which we must guard is thinking everyone who
talks to us wants something.
One day we were hosting a donor who paid to have an
addition built on a school. The school was not in session
and no one was around except the officer and us.
At one point in the tour a little old
lady approached us. Our immediate thought was what does
she want? She began talking to the officer and he introduced
her to the donor and us.
She had three grandchildren attending the school. Their
mother had abandoned them with her. She sold things
in the market each day to get enough money to provide
food for the family.
Then she said something that cut us to the heart, thank
you for providing the school, my grandchildren would
never be able to attend school if it were not for The
Salvation Army.
Then she turned around and left, leaving us feeling
guilty...because she only wanted to say thank you.
We love you,
Ron and Carol
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