The Heart of a Child

Roberta Edwards oversees an orphanage and feeding program near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the recent January 12 earthquake, a wall of the Son Light Children’s Home and Nutrition Center collapsed, killing a 15-year-old boy, Nicky, who lived at the home.

Edwards has been frantically trying to take care of the children at the Home as well as assist with her suffering neighbors.  She has made several trips to the Dominican border, meeting relief workers and loading food and supplies on a truck to take back home.

The Christian Chronicle reported that Thomas Edwards, the oldest of the children living at the home, accompanied Roberta on one of the supply trips.  As they approached Port-au-Prince, a bag of dog food fell off the truck.

“Some men came by, picked up the dog food off the ground and ate it in front of us,” Thomas Edwards said. “So that can show you how hungry people are.” *

This writer shared this information in an assembly in which little four-year-old Seth McGaughy sat listening beside his parents.  Later that evening, Seth asked his mother, Cathy: “Mommy, why do those boys and girls have to eat dog food?”

Cathy explained to Seth that the Haitian men did not have to eat dog food; but that they ate it because they desperately needed food.  The discussion continued, and Seth had many more questions: “Why don't they have any food to eat?  Do they have clothes?  When the buildings fell, did their clothes get torn up?”  The conversation ended with a prayer for those in Haiti.

The next morning in the car on the way to school, the dialogue continued.  Seth said, “Mommy I have an idea.  Let's get a great big motor boat and go across the river to Haiti and give the children some clothes and food.  Will you go with me?”  He then proceeded to ask his older brothers to go with them on the trip.  Seth then asked, “Can you take me shopping this afternoon so we can buy some food and clothes?”  He even went so far to say, “I have some shirts that I can give them, Mommy!”

From the lips of children like Seth often come expressions of tenderness, love, and compassion that reflect the heart of the Creator Himself.  “From the lips of children … You have ordained praise” (Matthew 21:16).

God cares about what happens to people in this world (1 Peter 5:7).  
His desire is for His people to reach out to those who are suffering with compassion and assistance.

God cares EVEN MORE about the devastation and destruction that SIN brings into our lives.  He loved us so much that He gave His Son to come to our rescue (Ephesians 1:7).

He will save those who: believe Jesus and place their trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

Thank you, Seth, for reminding us to care for others like God cares for us.

“Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Won’t YOU?

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

For information on ministries collecting funds to help in Haiti, click this link: http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158985

* See http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158986

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