Archive for May, 2009
Tribute to Charles Mhina
I finally found a picture of Charles, and it is with his wife Martha.
Charles Mhina died about 2 1/2 years ago of cerebral malaria. I have always wanted to do something to let it be known that he was one of the most joyful, helpful, deeply spiritual, great human beings that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Probably no one else will ever write about this man, so may this blog be a simple tribute to a great man who will receive his reward in eternity.
This picture is of his phenominally strong wife Martha, the mother of four, who is carrying on with the great smile that is symbolic of the joy that she carries everyday as she goes about her life. She is a teacher and helper in one of the schools we support at www.H4Cinternational.org.
Charles Mhina deserves a far greater tribute than I can give him. His life of sacrfice (with joy) will be remembered by all who were graced to have been touched by being around him. Martha, his wife, daily serves the children of her village, just as Charles served all who passed his way. “The really great people of this earth are hardly ever recognized.”
James R. Smith
“Giving” in Any Language
Spring cleaning began at our house today; okay, I admit I’m a slacker when it comes to cleaning even though I DO ENJOY stepping back to admire the transformation from dirty to clean. My trouble is that there are so many other things I’d rather do (than cleaning). Nevertheless, today I began with the windows and while hands and arms were swirling I looked out. Windows are cool and in today’s media culture the IT version comes to mind first but I’m talking about the traditional definition of the word.
Using windows we can “look out”, “look in”, “see out”, “see below”, “see at a distance”, and “look up” especially at night which I like a lot. Windows allow us the opportunity to see what’s going on outside of our world. I’m going to take a leap here but “giving” happens as a result of looking out through metaphorical windows. We’re presented with another’s need either through a picture, a report, an encounter and our heart begins to see beyond ourselves. Our gaze is captured and motivation to act follows.
Our organization’s philosophy states, “Those who receive aid will have their lives transformed from despair to hope and those who provide aid will experience the transforming power of giving and the enduring satisfaction of having fostered HOPE FOR CHANGE.”
This holds true in any language, any culture.
Sarah A. Smith
Globes are Great!
Globes are great. If you can..go out and get a globe. It doesn’t have to be a big one. Even if you get a beach ball with the countries of the world on it get yourself a globe. Why? Well, you will be amazed at how your geography skills will increase (Africa is a continent, not a country…..sheesh) However, more important than improving your geography skills will be realizing that a globe can serve as a reminder that there are over six billion people living on this planet of ours. Each one of those six billion people are (believe it or not) just as important as you or me.
”Where is your brother, Abel?”"I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Uh, yes, you, in fact, we are our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper. Well you say, “who then is my brother and sister?” Look at the globe, look in the supermarket, look on the streets, let’s just at least open our eyes and “look”. When I look at a globe I obviously see countries, but more than that I see people. Do you see them?
P.S. Today’s homework, really quick……find my birthplace, Toledo, Ohio 
James R. Smith
You go..”Because it matters”
Every time I get home from one of my trips to Africa (or Asia) I unpack my suitcase, but I never put my knapsack (carryon) out of my sight. After having done this enough times I realized that there must be some subconscious connection between me actually seeing that knapsack and knowing somewhere down the line my next trip is waiting on the horizon. People who have traveled and lived out of their suitcase, knapsack etc… I’m sure can relate to all of this.
So why go at all? Long flights, airport delays, lost luggage, visa hassles…..I could on. You go because it matters. There are living, breathing human beings where you are going and after you touch lives with these people everyone is the richer for the experience. Yes there are projects (medical, schools, water projects, orphanages, trade schools, agricultural etc..) But it’s about people. It’s about, “do unto others.” If we are going with the right motives it is because we are going “Because it matters.”
James R. Smith
School’s Health Report Card
Happy Residents Of NCRS
With only five weeks left until the end of the school year I asked Sentila how the children’s health has been this year in comparison to previous years. “Oh, we have had less sickness than last year; the quantity of children getting sick has been much less. Last year the residential school (430 students) suffered epidemics of chicken pox, malaria, and cholera. We have had no epidemics this year and only two or three children must be taken to the hospital every day.”
Even by American standards this small percentage of sickness among young children would cause an administrator to rejoice. It’s the “…taken to the hospital” part that bothers me. I visited the Mokokchung government-run hospital during my visit to Nagaland last October. The overburdened and under-supplied medical staff are dedicated and compassionate. Yet, the children would fare better with a medical clinic based on the school’s compound with a full-time nurse and part-time doctor.
View the videos of the school facilities and meet Sentila when visiting www.H4Cinternational.org and navigating to the CURRENT PROJECTS section. See you there!