The children there rarely have toys to play with.
Many of them work hard from morning to night.
Survival.
They were happy with a small rock or a piece of string.
They were THRILLED with the bouncy balls
our niece shared with them.
They shared with one another and took turns.
Simple pleasures.
What do I often take forgranted?
What can I be thankful for today?
650. Toys for our children to play with
651. Balloons and the simple joys they bring
652. We do not have to work to SURVIVE
every waking moment of each and every day
653. That there is time for play
654. That the children have one another
655. Opportunity for our children to learn to read and write
656. Clean water to bathe and do dishes in!
657. Our clothes come out CLEAN after washing them...really!
658. That our children do not have to search for food
in and around open sewer systems
659. That we do not have OPEN sewer systems!
660. Insightful observations that the children made after seeing
the photos of their cousin's trip to Ghana ~
Lasting Impressions (Hopefully)
Many Blessings,
Camille
10 comments:
Great post and so very true. We need to be thankful each day, there are so many without so much, especially basic needs, and sadly right here in our own communities too. When my husband was a child he grew up in terrible poverty, never had running water, etc. He has worked so hard to change his adult life into one he is proud of. It amazes me how much Americans struggle too, but it is not always seen. Thank you for sharing.
Have a blessed day!
Jill
Wow, Jill ~ What incredible experiences your husband must have had growing up! How many blessings we have ~ might we never take any of it forgranted!
Blessings to you and your family!
Camille
I really enjoy hearing what you have to be thankful for..Thanks also for sharing about the kids in Ghana. I think those bouncing balls sound like fun. It makes me sad to read about kids living in poverty..however, I'm glad that they still find joy in simple things!!!! That's a good thing!!! I read on one of the blogs..I think it was Prairie Flower Farm, that you and hubby are celebrating 19 years of marrige? That's a long time and from your picture on your sidebar, you don't look old enough to have been married for that long!!
Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :) :) :)
Oh Heather ~ Our niece said that the people in Ghana, in general, are very happy and joyful despite their adverse circumstances. It puts me to shame...really!
LOL...yes, we just celebrated 19 years...and we are old enough...barely. ;-) Thanks for the encouragement.
Blessings,
Camille
Camille,
This is another wonderful post. We DO take so much for granted and are very spoiled. The children in Ghana are such sweet blessings, what a lesson we can learn from them. Rejoice ALWAYS!
Blessings to you today sweetie! I am thankful that we are friends :)
Sharon
Hi Camille,
Thank you for a beautiful post and the reminder that we must always count our blessings each and every day!
How wonderful that despite the poor circumstances and conditions those people from Ghana still smile and are happy! I think many of us can learn from them!The bouncing balls sound like fun and I am sure the children enjoyed them!!
Have a good day!
Blessings.
Dear Sharon ~ Oh how ashamed I have been of my complaining...when you see what those precious people have to bear *daily* and how *much* we are blessed with!!! AND, on another note...I am thankful for YOU! :)
Dear Linda ~ My niece said that the word spread quickly about the balls she was giving away...she figures she could have found MANY more children to give them to. They came to her!! Sooo precious! She will take MANY more bouncy balls with her next time she goes ~ the LORD willing. :)
Blessings to you both!
In Him,
Camille
Camille, this is such a touching post. Our daughter and son-in-law were missionaries in Mexico City for twelve years and I so understand and appreciate your list of things you are thankful for. I've often said that I think there should be a written law somewhere that says every American should have to visit a third world country. It changes ones perspective!
Camille:
Great post.
I was recalling when reading this - my first missions trip to Mexico.
There... were some young boys playing in the street [a very steep hill] outside of the church doors - and they were simply playing with an empty 7-up bottle - kicking it up and down the alley - taking turns - playing with what they had available as their own sport!
There... the children barely have enough food to eat. On our last day - about 125 children were present in our meetings and the church gave out one piece of bread to each child. You'd have thought they gave them a giant ice cream sunday instead. They ate it slowly - savoring its nourishment and taste with great delight.
We[here]...tend to take such simple pleasures for granted. Thanks for a challenging lesson!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
Dear Dianna ~ Oh I hear you!! I think we really have NO IDEA!!! It certainly has changed our niece, and I trust, by extension, us! :)
Dear Stephanie ~ How precious to have witnessed that with the bread...oh how shameful it is when we complain!! Thanks for sharing your story here today. :)
Blessings,
Camille
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