When I left young life in June 2000, I left with the assurance that I was making the right choice for me. I had done all I felt I could and I felt bringing someone in at that point would further the work I had lovingly invested myself in. I felt that I needed to focus on my health and I didn’t want to be one of those people who stay in a role too long and realizing later on that I had stayed too long.
I made the important decision beforehand that I would not get involved in any type of ministry for one year. I would take that year to focus on myself and to rest. During that year, I would support others and give to other organizations doing charitable work. As I supported others I learned about other places where great work was being done. A friend and former staff worker had often shared with me her new passion for orphaned babies and children in the country of Romania. As we often did when we were together, we would talk about Romania and the newest thing my friend was learning. My friend’s passion began to rub off on me. My friend would tell me stories of what life was like and how they had thousands of infants and babies living in orphanages that were no better than a warehouse and how many were simply abandoned and left to fend for themselves.
My heart and my passion didn’t need a big push to start to consider perhaps doing some ministry in Romania. The problem was one of finding the right avenue and group that would accept someone with an existing disability. When various ministries turned me down, I decided to write Joni and friends asking if there were opportunities that they knew of that were available. Within a few weeks I received a letter laying out various places where I could serve. One of those places was Romania. As I read further, I learned that not only was there a role for me but, I was actually needed. I quickly filled out the information requested and paid it all up front.
My role was to be a wheelchair mechanic. I would be responsible for making adjustments and doing some light repairs on existing wheelchairs. Applications would be taken and carefully screened and small groups of people would arrive for the fitting of their wheelchairs. While my task as a wheelchair mechanic kept me out of the limelight, I felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride as I watched families leave with a wheelchair or other aid.
On a rare day off I remember walking through a small market with the group and a few of our Romanian partners. I remember it because a young Romanian child had approached me and in Romanian was asking if I wanted to buy a small bouquet of white flowers. As one of the Romanian translators stepped in, I asked what does the girl want? She wants to sell you the small bouquet of flowers. The translator encouraged me not to purchase the flowers because that would likely mean others will approach you to buy items. As I thought about it for a moment, I thought of what my friend had said about the poor children living on the street. I also thought of how little it would actually cost me. It would in fact only be a few pennies at most. As I reached into my pocket, I pulled out the largest Romanian currency I had and placed it in her hand where others could not see it. I then took the small bouquet of flowers and handed it back to her.
I have no idea what the young girl did with the flowers that day. I also do not know how she reacted to the crumpled-up bill I gave her for that small bouquet of flowers. I like to think that perhaps it allowed her to eat a decent few meals.
“Our small acts of kindness does not need to big or visible to others. We simply need to act. Follow your heart today.”
Thoughts? E-mail: francisearly@francisearly.com
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