Last week I encouraged you to consider a service project and giving back this holiday season. Today, I would like to share with you what it is like to be on the receiving end of a generous act.
Growing up in Iraq, my family wasn’t always poor. Prior to the Gulf war, and even the Iran-Iraq war, we had a good life. We lived in a large house with seven bedrooms, our dinner table never lacked food, and we even had a small car, a Volkswagen Beetle, which was an absolute luxury and most could only dream of. But after the wars, especially the Gulf war, my life was reduced to a small suitcase. Everything that mattered to me was packed into that case. Living as a refugee seeking shelter and safety in different countries cost me just about everything, including the time Turkey deported my family back to Iraq and left us for dead at the border. The only thing I owned at that moment was the clothes I draped myself with earlier that morning. Even my little suitcase was left behind. The next two months my family and I survived off of our neighbor’s leftovers. For the next four years, despite everything we had been through and losing so much, generous people such as yourself and so many others lavished us with gifts throughout our ministry in Iraq through missionary organizations that visited whenever possible.
As a young girl who had so much and in an instant losing almost everything; watching missionaries come to my doorstep with presents provided me with overwhelming joy and excitement. Each time guests came from America, they always brought presents that were donated by their local churches. I was elated and ready to burst at the seams at times because I could hardly contain my enthusiasm. Not only did these gifts bring me joy but they also provided me with the hope that someone out there cared and took the time to get me a gift. Know that some of these gifts were very small in gestures such as pink and purple elastic hair-ties but none the less, I cherished them like diamonds.
Why am I telling you this? It’s not for your sympathy. Don’t feel sorry for me, I wouldn’t trade my past for anything. I’m sharing this with you to express the happiness that takes place after you give. Giving is a rewarding experience, but it can be discouraging at times especially when you’re unable to personally deliver the gifts, and feel deprived of watching the expressions and the joy you bestowed upon someone else. Although your gifting had a short-lasting gratification for you, your act of service brought a long-lasting joy for others and created memories that would not have been possible otherwise. You are a gift to the world, and the world needs your gifting!
I loved reading this Ramina, and thank you so much for sharing your heart with such openness and honesty!! I appreciate all your posts so much! You are an incredible blessing to so many!!