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 The Kindness of Poor PeopleBack to Santiago!By Daniel Lins - 2009-06-27
The generousity of poor people You remember that rough time we had last week, riding from Temuco to Santiago? There was one night that I want to tell about, that gave me hope and revitalized me for the next week. It also made me a little sad. I was spending the night outside a roadside stand. My sleeping bag on top of some rocks. The stand was little more than a few boards nailed together, with a little cardboard box as a cash register. The owner was a 30-something man with a friendly potbelly and a pressed maroon shirt. His hair was combed nicely, and he looked sharp. But his toes poked from old shoes beneath older pants.
As I was about to go to sleep, the man came out of his house (another shack) and asked me to come inside to have tea with them. I went in and was shocked. Their house didn’t have a door. It was really just one room with four wooden beds for six people to sleep in. There was also a roofed area where they had a stove, two stools, and some shelves full of loose papers, clothes, and a few plates. Nothing else. It was totally open to the air. The shower was a hose that hung from the ceiling, with cold water and a small mirror hanging from the wall. They did have a toilet, with a cardboard box next to it for the paper.
We had "tea" using the only two coffee cups that they had. Plus: cheese sandwiches, jelly, and packaged meat. Cheese is expensive here; even rich people in the city eat it sparingly. Then the wife brought out some of her special birthday cake, which they had been rationing for the last two days. Paper-thin slices for everyone, to make it last. I almost cried. In the early morning, they invited me in for coffee and breakfast again. As I left on my bicycle, I noticed the man wearing the same shirt and pants, ready to start the day.
Peanut Gallery(No Subject)mrfuzzy19968 2009-06-28 01:27:11 UTC
And the meek shall inherit the earth. (No Subject)brooksnewark 2009-06-28 12:53:21 UTC
This was so touching…thanks for sharing it. My grumpy mood now seems unnecessary. Heather The Kindness of Poor Peopleskribblez 2009-06-28 16:46:53 UTC
They may have been the richest people you’ve met along this trip, Daniel. I think it’s awesome that you were able to have this experience and share it with others. Of course it will never mean as much to us as it did to you. I’ve seen a single mother just barely living within her limited means approach a homeless man at a bus stop. She carried her 2-year-old child on a back-pack papoosey thing. From the generosity and kindness that she had instilled in her son, he knew without his mother telling him to give his little ziplok bag containing about 50 cheerios to this man at the bus stop. They are the richest people that I know, personally. I believe in spiritual principles – laws of the universe that apply equally to everyone, whether you believe in them or not. These are similar to gravity. Gravity does not care if I believe in it, understand it, study it, worship it, or live by it. It applies to you and I equally. Another such principle states that I cannot keep it unless I give it away. For example, I cannot be forgiven until I forgive; I will not know true friendship until I first give my friendship freely; I am incapable of receiving love until I can first give love unconditionally; I cannot know richness unless I give away my riches. Until then, a hundred forms of self-centered, selfish, self-seeking, inconsiderate and dishonest motives will keep me enshrouded in fear, self-delusion, false-pride, resentment, superficial immediate gratification and an entirely false sense of self – a futile existence in my experience. Your journeys throughout South America may stretch hundreds of miles, but your spiritual journey cannot be measured. It has no beginning and no end. I love you guys, -Adam (No Subject)bluesfan 2009-06-29 01:26:32 UTC
Thank you for giving us perspective. As hard as we might try to remember that the rest of the world is not like America, we really do not know how lucky we are. I’ve been following your trip sporadically and think you men are intelligent, adventurous for sure, creative and brave. You inspire me, even though I’ll never have an adventure like this! Mike, your mom shared the videos you did for HST. Very funny, creative and so good for the kids to see. Reading truly can take you anywhere. I look forward to reading about the trip ahead of you. God be with you all, Debbie Pelc (No Subject)Anonymous 2009-06-29 01:29:35 UTC
Thanks for the needed reminder. when I look at what the Lord has blessed me with, and how little I give, I want to be sensitive to that still small voice of the Lord as He directs me to do the God thing and just not the good thing. Therein lies the temptation: that we do a good deed on our own rather than allow the Lord to do the good deed through us. the first will produce praise – to us and make us feel good and that will be the end of it, but the second will produce glory to the Lord and will produce LIFE! and that will last forever. (No Subject)Feelgreen 2009-06-29 17:50:36 UTC
Daniel, Touching story my friend. It shows you how there are still loving, kind and generous people out there. I’m sure that family loved sharing the little bit they had with you. Thanks for sharing! ~Brenda (No Subject)Anonymous 2009-06-30 17:20:53 UTC
Daniel, I’d say you’re coming back a changed man but I know you have always been sensitive, loving, and teachable. Still, the Gospel is transforming you daily. Right on brother. Andy CarlaAnonymous 2009-07-02 00:13:25 UTC
This squeezed my throat … I hate to think that our authorities are determined to say that we are an emerging country, which is becoming rich and with a better quality of life in south america … I do not believe in that. In Chile there are still many poor people, many people who have no where to live or eat … we are not a rich country, we are a country with growing inequalities … I see it every day … This weekend, I spent a few days in Santiago. As you must know, we are in winter, and really was very cold. In fact, the rain began to fall Saturday night and did not stop until Sunday night … now I wonder what this family will have spent … In addition to everything thar you described in the note, is really moving the family picture… the smile of that boy is beautiful … Thank´s for share this. Keep looking through the eyes of God, Daniel … Hugs and blessings to all, from Iquique, Chile. Carla Contreras. your heartlindaellen425 2009-07-26 01:42:36 UTC
As they touched your heart, Daniel, you have touched mine. Thank you for sharing real life stories, as God has allowed you to share real life. |
