LOVE PLACED INTO ACTION
by
David Vaughn
I had the privilege to lead two short-term mission trips to the island
of Dominica in the Caribbean. Our two teams were two of several teams
that over a span of two years replaced a Methodist church that had
been destroyed by a hurricane. The two teams I took with me were
composed of members from the Fincastle United Methodist Church of
LaFollette, Tennessee. Each person had a particular construction skill
or skills or had a strong dedication to perform hard labor for the
rebuilding of a church.
As we worked alongside the men of the community we noticed that one of
the carpenters had no shoes. On the third day of our work trip I
noticed that both feet were cut and bleeding. With feet that had to be
hurting this man never flinched or complained, and he worked hard
alongside the other workmen. I gathered enough nerve to ask him about
why he was barefooted. I told him that I saw that he was wearing shoes
on the Sunday we arrived. He very humbly told me that he had sold his
only pair of shoes to purchase a saw blade for his electric saw. The
rebuilding of God's house was of more value than a pair of shoes.
Clarence Childress, one of the team members from our church, had asked
him the same question. Clarence had purchased a pair of shoes to take
to Dominica that cost him nearly $200.00. That evening Clarence asked
the carpenter as we were leaving the work site what size shoes he
wore. When the Dominican said size 10 Clarence beamed with joy, and
said, "That is the same size I wear. Here, take my shoes." He removed
his shoes and gave them to his work mate and newly made friend.
This was the only pair of shoes Clarence Childress had brought with
him, and for the next seven days he worked barefooted, with cut and
bleeding feet.
I shed tears over broken, bleeding feet. On one hand, I had witnessed
a great love that said God's church is more important than my physical
possessions. I gladly gave my shoes for a saw blade to rebuild God's
place of worship. And I had witnessed another example of love. I had
witnessed a man removing his only pair of shoes to give to a man who
had no shoes and injured feet. Did not Jesus tell us something like
this? The greatest commandment is to love God with our total being,
and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Both commandments
of love were shown by example on this trip to Dominica.
Clarence Childress died of a sudden heart attack some months following
our mission trip. I told the story of his act of love in his funeral
service. Somehow I believe that when Clarence entered heaven God said
to him, "Your life and work on earth have been remembered; Clarence,
here is a pair of sandals made especially for you. Your loving
sacrifice has not gone unknown."
Gambling with my heart…..poem
written to explain my lost sole!
by 'Figgy'
I came to realize my plight !
I'm gamblin with no delight!
I don't like the man in the
mirror !
He stares at me, plenty to fear !
They say that PD may be the
cause!
I don't know for sure , just because!
My heart is hurt and full of fear
!
Those that I love, I've caused to tear !
I want my heart back, full of joy
!
Not like this ..... a broken toy !
I can't undo what I have done !
But hope I can go forward .. with some fun !
My trust in me is in doubt !
May GOD help me !! I want to shout !
The trail ahead will be rough !
But my resolve will be tough !
Through support of ones I love so
dear!
I'm out of the closet ! ready to cheer !
So much work to be done !
One day at a time...let's not run !
So forward and forward I will go
!
Got plenty of people to show !
Trust in the Lord its been said !
I will, I will , until I m dead !
"Figgy"
By D. Kidd
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NO TWO THINGS HAVE BEEN SO DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE & POST
PD.
ONE LIFE ENDED, ONE BEGAN WHEN I PUT MINE INTO THEIR HANDS.
I CHANGED LOCATION, PD CHANGED ME.
I WAS NO LONGER QUITE AS FREE
TO MOVE, TO PLAN, TO LOVE, TO THINK.
LIKE HYDE WHO TOOK HIS CHANGING DRINK.
I SAW QUITE SOON THE END OF WORK,
IDENTITY AROUND THE SHADOWS LURK.
A PERSON WELL, WITH SOME POTENTIAL
CAN MAKE A LIFE THAT'S EVIDENTIAL,
BUT, THEN, DISEASED, DISTRESSED, DISCOURAGED,
THE CONFIDENCE NO LONGER FLOURISHED.
LESS AND LESS LIKE THE MAN I KNEW.
IT SEEMS THAT I CAN'T MAKE IT THROUGH.
ALL POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT
JUST SEEMED LIKE SO MUCH COMPLIMENT
OVERCOME WITH THE EMBARASSMENT.
I STEPPED INTO ANOTHER WORLD,
A WORLD WHERE NO ONE SEES
THE MAN YOU ONCE THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE,
SMART, STRONG, ABLE AND SURE!
NOW, I SEE MORE PITY THAN
ONE WHO LIVES IN A GARBAGE CAN.
I SEE MYSELF WALK LIKE THE AGED,
AFFLICTED, LAME, INFIRM, EN-RA-GED
BY THE FACT THAT I'LL NEVER BE BACK
BUT JUST GET WORSE AS IT PROGRESSES.
HOW LONG IS ANYBODY'S GUESSES.
MY STRENGTH, MY FOCUS, BALANCE, THOUGHT
NOT NEARLY WHAT TO BE IT OUGHT.
THE PANACEA PILLS PRODUCE
IS SHORT-LIVED, BUT THEY HAVE THEIR USE
AND GIVE RELIEF FOR SHORTENING HOURS
OF "ON" TIME, BRINGING BACK SOME POWERS
LOST IN MOVEMENT, MOTIVATION
SPIRIT, CONFIDENCE, ELATION.
THIS TRUTH I NEEDED TO EXPLAIN.
IT'S MUCH MORE HUMILIATING THAN JUST PAIN.
THE BODY LISTENS TO THE BRAIN
WHILE IT SENDS SHORTED MIXED-UP SIGNALS,
STIFF AND SHAKY INTERMINGLED,
LIMBS TWISTING, CURLING, TIGHTENING.
I WANTED TO EXPLAIN THIS THING
THAT STEALS SECURITY AND BALANCE,
BUT NOT ALL OF MY INNER TALENTS.
D.R. KIDD, II
5/JULY/02
1 AM, SAT. |
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