We can have him for free...

This evening the kids and  I needed to go down to the chemist (that means pharmacy here) to get Little Lady some cold medicine and Little Man some cough medicine.  As we were walking, one of the little neighborhood beggar boys began to follow us.  He pointed at the fruit stand near our house.  In Kannada I told him I would go and come back in one minute. He continued to follow us.  He then said, "Ice cream!" So I asked him if he wanted ice cream and he gave me the sweetest little smile ever. As we passed the store I told him one more minute and we went next door to the chemist.  We got our meds as this sweet little boy looked through the glass doors.  When we left I told him to come and we went inside the store.  At first he stood at the edge of the store as most store workers won't let these little children in. I insisted that he come in with us. I honestly think this may have been his first time into a store.  Little Lady, Little Man and I took this sweet boy to the ice cream freezer and then to the cookie isle and told him to pick whatever he wanted.  He immediately began to open his ice cream to eat and Little Man told him to wait.  We paid and then began to leave the store.  He was content.  As we told him bye and walked away Little Man said, "Momma, we can take him home for free!"  Then Little Lady said, "Let's adopt him!"  HA!  If only it were so easy to take these little street children in and love on them and keep them.  As I thought back on this evening's little walk, I realized that my children had been so wrapped up in loving on this little boy, neither of them asked for anything in the store.  We bought one ice cream and one package of biscuits and they were so sweet to think only of helping him and not themselves.  Makes a momma's heart glad to see her children sharing Jesus with those around them.

On the way back, they were blessed by the fruit walla.  I stopped to buy eggs and he gave the kids both a hand full of one of our most favorite fruits called Litchees.  I will write a whole seperate post on that later!

Cross Culture Servanthood

I am currently reading a book titled Cross Culture Servanthood by Duane Elmer. I so wish I had read this book my first time overseas. Although, I think having the first experience is allowing me to see this book through a different lens, one with mistakes that I can reflect on.
I love the story...A typhoon had temporarily stranded a monkey on an island. In a secure, protected place on the shore,while waiting for the raging water to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed obvious to the monkey that the fish was struggling and in need of assistance. Being of kind heart, the monkey resolved to help the fish.
A tree precariously dangled over the very spot where the fish seemed to be struggling. At considerable risk to himself, the monkey moved far out on a limb, reached down and snatched the fish from the threatening waters. Immediately scurrying back to the safety of his shelter, he carefully laid the fish on dry ground. For a few moments the fish showed excitement, but soon settled into a peaceful rest. Joy an satisfaction swelled inside the monkey. He had successfully helped another creature.

Did this monkey possess humility or arrogance? "The fish probably saw arrogance of the monkey's assumption that what was good for the monkey would be good for the fish." I think sometimes we have good intentions yet they come only from our world view. Good intentions are not enough.

Everyone should look our not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4