Teaching my children to give, and giving.

Last Friday as me and my children sat down to do devotion, we talked about giving, as Christ gave freely. When were almost done, I asked "so if there was someone in need, would you give?" Both my girls replied immediately with a resounding "Yes yes Yes!"


Knowing that they had little money in their wallets as I seldom give them pocket money, I asked them, "would you then, be willing to take some money from your own wallet to buy rice or milk for the poor?"

The answer came in the form of  total silence. Nel had been saving hard to buy something special, I knew that, and every cent was precious to her. She'd toiled in my garden and worked for her own pocket money, and she'd been saving and counting every now and then.

After a moment of silence Nel said "ok mum, I'm willing to give."

  "Are you sure?" I asked,  "you've been saving hard."

Nel replied with a more reassuring look this time "Yes, mum, I want to give to those who don't have as much as I do." I was touched by her words.

Little Jo on seeing her sister agreeing said "mum, I only have two 5RM notes in my wallet, but I'll give you one of it!!" and she said it excitedly too! :)

So, last weekend, as we were travelling, Nel herself took her own money from her wallet and gave it to her grandfather to purchase rice for the less fortunate. I'd not reminded her, but she remembered.

Here below are some pictures from a village we visited during the weekend. We camped there, fellowshiped with these people, ate with them and prayed with them. The rice went to an interior village, a place so remote, few can go in.

Looking through the window of their world

The church there..symbol of faith, place of refuge and comfort

a new born baby

This is their home. Built by themselves on a land they've called home for generations. But there's threat that their land will be taken away to make way for large and rich corporations.

Playing with hay on a hot hot afternoon

my little one chasing geese

they found this furry cat

How wonderful it is to teach children to give. As I teach them, I ask myself too, how much am I willing to give, even to people I do not know.

When God puts in our heart to give something, it's good to give, regardless of what others may say. For who are we to go against the promptings that God has placed within our hearts.

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my last post - Dear-Nel, (excerpts taken from letters written to my daughter )