Children

---

"I WANT TO HELP!"
Written by: S. Patten-Forster

This is a true story based a conversation between a mother and young daughter, and the results of that conversation.

Alex and her family live thousands of miles away in a city in Ontario, Canada. But Alex has a big heart and wants to make a difference in the lives of other children on the other side of the world. Little does she know, her mother is about to help make that dream come true and she is going to get to experience the thrill of turning her longing into a reality.



CONVERSATION: (from Alex's perspective)

"Mom! Where are you and where is my bedtime snack?" I bellow out.

There she is. Boy, she sure took a long time. Uh oh. She's got one of her 'looks'.

Looking up at my Mom through thick, dark eyelashes, I see her setting down a plate of crackers and cheddar cheese with a glass of milk.

"Ewww, I don't want that," I pouted, crossing my arms. "That's grosse."

Why can't Mom ever get me something yummy? Like ice cream or cookies.

Glancing up, I see Mom has her eyebrows raised and her arms are crossed over
her chest too.

Uh oh. Now I've done it. Here comes the lecture. Never fails. Well, might as well get it over with.

Mom slowly sat down beside me and thought for a minute before speaking.

"Alex, honey, do you remember the Watoto Children's choir that came and performed at our church?" Mom asked.

"Of course I do. I have their tape! I know just about every word of every song! Remember? Here, pick a song. I'll sing it for you."

Geesh! Why would she ask me a silly question like that? I think Moms like to ask a lot of silly questions.

"Whoa, Alex. Sloww down. There's a special reason I asked," Mom replied.

"But, Mom. I don't like that kind of cheese. Can't I have something else? I know! I can have..."

"Alex, there's no reason why you can't have this snack. Now, I was GOING to say, those children in the Watoto choir were from Kampala, Uganda. There are many children from many places like that, in and around Africa and they would be very grateful to have your cheese and crackers..."

"Why, Mom? Can't they go to the grocery store?" I asked.

Mom leaned back against my headboard, wrapped her arm around me and replied, "No, honey. They can't. They have very little to eat. Most are lucky to get one bowl of rice and clean water to drink each day."

Getting worried, I exclaimed, "Well, why doesn't someone help them? Why can't we send them some food? I want to help them! Let's go to the grocery store tomorrow and buy a whole whack of food and send it to them!"

Mom smiled at me through tears and gently hugged me to her.

"Oh, honey. It's not that easy. I would, but I wouldn't know where to send it."

Wiping tears from my eyes, I tried to think of how we could help them. Suddenly, I glanced over at the plate of crackers and cheese sitting there beside me.

"You know, Mom. Maybe I will have it after all. And, could you please put my Watoto tape in my player for me? I want to listen to it tonight."

Mom looked at me tenderly as she smoothed my hair back from my eyes saying, "Sure, Sweetheart. I'm glad you want to hear it. It's one of my favorite tapes. And, you know what?"

"What mom?" I asked.

"Well, I think I might know of a way you, your brother and I can help those children," Mom said with a twinkle in her eyes.

I almost jumped off my bed with excitement asking, "You do? How Mom? How could we help them? Are you sure?"

Laughing, Mom reached out and tried to calm me down.

She said, "Yes, Sweetheart. I think there is a way. There's a special program at our church I've been curious about for awhile now. I'm not sure, but I think it's for the Mom's and daughters. I haven't asked about it before because I wasn't sure how comfortable your brother would be, with a room full of women."

"Mom!! What is it? What do they do? How do they help?" I couldn't stop the growing excitement.

Alex, it's called 'SEW ON FIRE'. There's a bulletin board with pictures of people packing and sorting items. I'll talk to Pastor's wife on Sunday about it. I do know it's to help those children over there."

As I looked at Mom with fresh tears in my eyes, I stretched out my arms for a big hug. After giving me a tight hug, Mom reached over and picked up the Watoto tape, looked at the songs and placed it in the player. She turned it to my favorite song, "Save the Children."

As I sat there nibbling my snack, I hummed along with the music; thinking of the children over in Africa. I decided right then, 'Someday when I'm older, I'm going to go over there and help them'.

The following Sunday after morning services, Mom approached Pastor's wife Pat, who was involved with the SEW ON FIRE program. After some discussion and research on the internet, Mom arranged for us to go over to the city of Burlington to volunteer.

Our family learned that SEW ON FIRE is people helping people in a hurting world. Schools, service groups, churches, corporations and an army of volunteers pitch in to help.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: There are many ways you and your group can be a vital part of of this ministry. For full information, log onto www.sewonfire.com.

The following is an excerpt taken from their official website:

"Sew on Fire" is a God-birthed ministry that sends humanitarian aid, blankets, mini-layettes and custom designed cloth gift bags all over the world. We send and distribute merchandise with short-term missions groups, and have sent 300 shipments to over 70 Countries so far."

"Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this--
to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction."
James 1:27

(Word Count:1040)



© Copyright 2007 - S. Patten-Forster

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE