#GraceuponGrace

I was in the Western Cape these last two weeks. It rained and rained and rained even more.

When I tell you the following I’m telling you because you know, those among you who read my posts, that it is you, not me. It is you who have empowered me to do this. I’ve said a hundred times, I’m the bridge and not the giver.

I was able to give (“Targeted Giving” – I call it) to 5 individuals and families I know, people I trust — $2500.00 ($500 each) to boost their good works and enhance their impact where they work.

For one family: it was a very cold and windswept afternoon. I called and asked the mom to meet me on the sidewalk at her address.

She was suprised to get my call — I do live 8000 miles away.

Dressed for the weather the whole family (I think I’m recalling correctly) came out.

I requested she and her husband get out of the weather and into the car and that we take them to their bank. The young son and dad joined us and they were able to deposit a large sum of Rands – they were not anticipating a gift — which I’d already exchanged on their behalf.

This gave the family what appeared to be an unimaginable boost!

Fewer than 24 hours later the mom sent my sister, not me, a photograph.

The family fed a huge crowd breakfast of porridge and bread the very next morning — because now they had extra.

Can you imagine the joy of getting such a call when it’s unexpected and the weather is pounding. Oh the stories that will be told of your generosity for ages to come.

How nice it indeed was to be the bridge (5 times) for your gift, your generosity.

You know who you are.

Thank you.

Let it be known we were also able to give $1000.00 to a local (in my town) safe house for young girls and women and send a local (from my town) boy or girl (I requested not to know who) to Summer Camp with Young Life. Cynics will often say and correctly say — “we have enough needs right here in Indiana.” I will assume they are giving handsomely to a local fund offering assistance.

Contact me if you’d like to help me repeat this community act of Grace.