It is funny how people come and go through your life. Some you may never see or speak with again, but they may still leave a lasting footprint on your life. Last night, I received a call from a man who was interested in buying my car. As Ibrahim and I discussed the details of the car, he mentioned that before he left Liverpool to come to the states, his brother had wrecked his Infiniti and ever since, he had wanted to buy another. I mentioned to him that my family lived in Doncaster for a brief period of time (about an hour and a half from Liverpool). He asked what brought us to the UK, at which point I told him about my dad doing an exchange program with the United Methodist church. Ibrahim asked if dad was still involved with the church and I said that yes, he is the minister at Woodmont UMC near Greensboro, NC. He said "oh, yes, I've heard of Woodmont" and tells me that he works for Samaritan's Feet, coordinating mission and service opportunities for churches in the Southeast. Ibrahim got involved with Samaritan's Feet through his passion for soccer and desire to help those less fortunate than he. Samaritan's Feet is a non-profit organization, started by Manny Ohonme, that has reached nearly 3,000,000 impoverished children in over 40 countries, simply by washing their feet and giving them a pair of shoes to walk and play in. Nearly 300 million people in the world go without shoes everyday. Isn't that something? It brings a whole new appreciation to the life that I live. The privileges that we think are simple can in fact change the lives of others. Manny's story of how Samaritan's Feet came to be is truly touching: Manny's Story. Through organizations like Samaritan's Feet, dreams become realities. Every one of us can give back in our own way and I encourage us all to do so, just as Manny and Ibrahim do. Get involved!
Here are some of my other favorite organizations!
"A new way of thinking has become the necessary condition for responsible living and acting. If we maintain obsolete values and beliefs, a fragmented consciousness and self-centered spirit, we will continue to hold onto outdated goals and behaviors."
