I have seen the effect of giving in two very different circumstances. In one orphanage, where leaders said the children were all orphans, but they weren’t, we tried to bring hope by providing the necessities of life and beyond: a well for water, generator to power lights and a TV (for a few hours in the evening), new clothing (on several occasions), extra food (a cow or chickens) and candy. The affect was a growing lack of gratitude. As balls, games, toys and clothing were brought on a regular basis, the children became more aggressive, lacked contentment and were competitive, ungrateful and demanding.
The leaders became discontent, too.
Hope Bright Future started a similar project but with true orphans. They were given nothing except essentials and guests were not allowed to bring gifts or any other items. There is no electricity.
The simplicity demands attention.
The children were given photos of themselves and they decorated the bare cement walls. They had one soccer ball, three jump ropes and a hula-hoop. While putting up the pictures, they were allowed to play with the roll of tape. It amused them for a long time.
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The contrast was blinding. They were happy and content. They shared and were not demanding.
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Trying to Americanize a group of Kenyans taught a great lesson.
How much more do we get and then become demanding of God, discontent, aggressive, competitive, ungrateful?
The countenance of these children spoke volumes.
