我那十五岁女儿的圣诞演说辞

A Letter to the Silenced...    

To address the general public, who has never heard of starvation, thirst, poverty, genocide or indifference? I would be most surprised if someone answered with a 'no'. If that's so, then why do only a few take the time and effort to fight against it and help the ones in need? We worry about so much it seems: school, relationships, drama within our group of friends, part-time jobs, etc., and complain of being the least fortunate in the whole schema of things revolving around us, us and us.   However, did we ever take the time to think about something other than ourselves? What about the AIDS epidemic in Africa? How many times had we actually done something to help? Are we not Christians? Are we not commanded by God to not be selfish, but instead give all our effort to help   others, especially those suffering? How much money do we spend on our own clothes, and how much to give to those who dressed in the same shirt for years? How much time do we   contribute to hanging out with our friends, and how much volunteering to help others who have none? How much time do we spend complaining about our old games, our "last season" shoes, our lack of time to play, when there are people in this world who have no clothes, food, water, games,   education, family, friends... nothing?  

Africa ridden with disease, children's ribs poking out from their frail bodies, mothers dying on the ten-mile walk to a hospital to give birth, whole families starved to death on the street, a 17-year-old boy smaller than a 5-year-old... This is the reality... now I really wonder...   how we can be so cruel as to totally disregard their cries for help. Not even, they WON'T EVEN SPEAK... because they know people JUST DON'T CARE... WE know. WE hear their silent cries in desperation for love. WE CARE. What greater gift can we give, then a gift of love? A gift from God, a gift that shows.

 They are wanted, that they are princesses and princes in God's kingdom, that WE are their beloved brothers and sisters? That when they reach heaven... they won't be treated like garbage, that they will never feel the pangs of hunger, the terrible soreness of thirst, or the pain of being ignored...? Indifference, which is one of the greatest sins we can commit, no matter how indirect it may be. Because of it, billions of innocent lives perish, along with an endless amount of opportunities missed that could have prevented it. Are we going to let Satan obscure the truth from   us? Are we going to continue to stay in his safe haven of selfishness? NO! God doesn't want that. Indifference in one of Satan's most devious yet effective ways of drawing us closer to sin, for God is in every one of us, including our brothers and sisters that are drowning in poverty and pain. If we save one, we save GOD. If we ignore one, we ignored GOD’s cry for help,

 GOD's hunger, GOD's love. This present is no ordinary piggy bank. it is a charity bank. The   plan is to put half of your pocket change in it everyday, and when it is filled, then donate the money to charity, which includes HERO (to raise awareness and save lives from AIDS). However, when you have donated the money, pass on the charity bank, along with this letter, to another   person, who will continue this cycle. With this, we can see a mother bawling in happiness over the recovery of her son, a little infant's body plumped and healthy, the tears of joy running down a young woman's face, a little boy able to see his father. What greater joy is there other than God's glory? Already, by selling pens, candy, shirts, fortune cookies, etc., one person had contributed more than 50 dollars to HERO, with more to come. Let me tell you a little story called "Starfish".    A little boy was walking along a beach, and when he rounded a bend, he was shocked to see the whole beach covered with thousands of starfish washed up onto the shore. Bending down, he proceeded to pick them up, one by one, and throw them back into the ocean. A man was walking by and went up to him with an inquiring look and asked, "Why are you doing this? There are thousands of starfish here! Whether they die or not, it doesn't matter because it doesn't make a difference." The little boy stopped for a second, turned to pick up another and threw it into the   ocean. "It mattered to that one."

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless us and let us hear the silent cries of our brothers and sisters. I ask that you touch our hearts, stir up a passion to help them, and a revelation in our souls. I ask that we may start and continue this cycle of giving, that it may flourish and make a difference in this world, father. As always, you have been most kind to us, and we should share our blessings with ones that don't have much. I ask that we won't wait until it is too late, and ignore their grasping hands, weak and fragile with disease, but instead reach back for their hands, but touch their hearts. Thank you, father, and please guide us on this journey and huge leap of faith. With you, we know that we can accomplish anything, no matter how impossible, how   unrealistic or how crazy it may seem. I know that our unfaltering dreams will forever stand strong in your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!     

"Don't give up 'cause you have friends.

Don't give up, you're not the only one.  

Don't give up, there's no reason to be ashamed.  

Don't give up, you still have us.

I believe you and me. That somewhere there's a place where we belong.

Africa, Africa.”

Don't Give Up Africa" by Alicia Keys and Bono:    

Don't give up, Africa.

Don't give up, brothers and sisters around the world.

In the name of our heavenly father, HELP IS ON THE WAY.                     ~

  

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[gimail]

what a wonderful girl!!!