Little Acts of Love for Ethiopia Multiplied

Magnus' concern was undeniable, the need was real, and the situation was dire. There was no one better to entrust with our effort to help the little hands and mouths that needed it most. We talked about it as a family.

Now, it doesn't take long for children's hearts to be filled with compassion and to start thinking of ways to help. They are also encouraged by their little means to help. 

As our children walked home from lessons in town, they filled their backpacks with old beer and pop cans that were appearing in the ditches as the last of the winter's snow melted. Making a difference was within their reach, as it only took 1 1/2 cans to feed a child for the day. At the end of each walk, they knew how many children they would feed for a day.

Mary's Meals was encouraging people to contribute to the effort to help those in northern Ethiopia. They mentioned that a generous Canadian donor would match donations up to $500,000. It came to me that if my husband and I matched the amount from the children's cans, then the Canadian donor matched that, their little bit would be worth much more. Following this, we invited others to do the same and match the amount from the collected cans. If nothing else, it would help raise awareness of the need.

As a family, we went out along the roadside ditches each day for about a week - ending on Earth Day, and the pile of cans grew in our backyard. 

Collecting the cans was a bit disgusting at times, and combing the ditches was a bit humiliating. We came home filthy and covered with thorns. But our little bit of discomfort helped us feel in solidarity with the little ones in Ethiopia. We could go home to a shower, a slushy, and a nice supper.

As we invited people to join our efforts, some pledged their support to match the value of what we found in the ditches, some gave fixed donations, and some gave us bags of cans. Before we knew it, this little effort totalled $4406.61. And once our donation goes to Mary's Meals, our donation will be doubled to $8813.22!

I know our spiritual leaders always encourage us to give "out of our need," not "out of our excess." At different times during this fundraiser, we were struck by the thought that in this land of abundance, we were starting out by giving "out of our garbage." Yet somehow, God works it all to the good, and through the goodness of humanity, this little effort was multiplied to help save the lives of these little ones born in a time and place without enough to eat.

Terese Steiner and Family
Fraser Lake, BC