Hello everyone!
Recently, I read the “Diary of a
Young Girl” by Anne Frank. Yes, I just now read it for the first time. I was
not so struck by the diary itself, as I was visualizing where the family was and
what they were going through; as a Mother. I tried to imagine what Mrs. Frank
was feeling during that time and how I would feel in her shoes. I then began to
think about the Holocaust and how all those mothers felt as they were being
shipped there, their families being split and sorted, trying to figure out how
to keep your precious child(ren) alive, etc. I had been wondering how parents could
willingly give up their children to strangers to keep, or sneak them away, but
now that I have Amos, I get it.
I have also wondered how come so
few people would stand up for or protect/hide the Jews from the Nazis. I know
they were protecting themselves and their families but what about their moral
obligation? This is still a very difficult question for me to grapple. Again,
having Amos has put a whole new spin on it for me. If I were in a place to
shelter people being rounded up to be sent to extermination camps, would I hide
them? Knowing that if I do, Amos would be hurt if we were found out, would I
still do it? It brings a level of understanding of other peoples actions during that
time. It was a risk, often a life or death risk. However, we also have to
remember that the full extent of what happened in those camps was not fully
known to the public until after they were liberated. So some of the people’s
refusal to help was out of their own ignorance. I am sure if the full brutality
and inhumanity that was endured in the camps was known, there would have been
more of an uprising. But that is all speculation and “what ifs”
One thing I can say for sure though. The
reading of the diary and my renewed interest and research in WW2 has taught me
some extremely beneficial lessons for being here on the mission field. It is
easy to look the other way when uncomfortable situations occur. It is easy to
justify not helping someone whom we think is fully capable of holding a job,
etc. However, here in the Dominican, some of these homeless, dirty, beggars are
victims of the government or unethical employers who did not pay the wages due
to them and they are now out on the streets. I am not saying this is the case
with all or even most of the people we meet, but if we pass by one, are we any
better than those who turned a blind eye and/or deaf ear in WW2? How hard is it
to offer food or a blanket instead of money? How about paying for a hotel room
for a night so they can have a shower and a warm bed to sleep in? Just one
night might make all the difference in the world to that one person. What about
going without that coffee this one morning so that man sleeping under the
overpass can have a warm breakfast? A $4 Starbucks coffee could buy a couple of
egg sandwiches at McDonalds.
There are so many people in
need. Everyone can do something, even if it is nothing more than smiling and
waving at them so they know that someone noticed and cared that they exist.
When someone feels invisible and worthless, then a stranger smiles and waves at
them, for no reason, just because they are there, it can completely change that
person’s day. Someone noticed, someone cared, and they are not alone in this
world.
You don’t have to hide Jews or spend your life
on the mission field to make a difference. You can do that in small, unique
ways. Don’t be in a personal bubble all the time. Believe me, as an introvert, I know that is a very hard thing to do! I like my little bubble! But sometimes, that
bubble must be popped or put aside in order for others to know that you care about them. Not because they are in need, but because they are creatures that were created
by the Almighty and they are loved by him, so are loved by you.
Until next time. May Adonai
bless you and your homes.
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