Do you sometimes wish you could do more to "Make a Difference?" Are you at a loss as to where to begin, what to do? Join me here for some inspiration and living examples of what you can do to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
London is ELECTRIC with Olympic activity. The mood is optimistic & supportive. The worries that we heard before the Opening Ceremony such as transportation chaos, bad weather and even terrorist attacks is all fading into the background as Team GB breaks records and glories in it's accomplishments.
Along with some friends, I wanted to use this time to try to "Make a Difference" in people's lives. We decided to get special T-shirts printed with the cover illustration of an inspirational poster. The picture shows a large heart with a globe in the middle and people from all countries holding hands around it. On the back we had printed the title: "What Everybody Needs is Love". You can download this inspiring illustration here. And an inspirational message to go with it here.
We also had short inspirational leaflets printed entitled: Play to Win. (download here).
We then ventured out to places in London with a large population of sports fans engaging with the visitors and passing out the leaflets.
So far it has been great fun and we have gotten a good reception. Often people would come up to us, requesting a leaflet.
I happened to meet former Harlem Globetrotter Andre Bryant, who said he loved my T-shirt and wanted one like it! He took a leaflet and a few more for his friends.
We have our contact information on the leaflets so if anyone wants to find out more and get back in touch with us they can.
We are not done yet, so if you are out in London during the Olympics, maybe you will see us!
Excerpts of End of March 2012 News from Gonzalo and Jenny in Ecuador:
Old Part of the City of Cuenca
We were able to go on two trips to two cities. Cuenca is the 3rd largest city and a 10 to 11 hour bus ride through the mountains is required to reach it. Here we were able to do personal visitation to various families we have been visiting. We revisited a school who use our Christian educational materials and another school whose order of nuns have dedicated themselves to help educated children from marginised areas. They have asked us to consider helping to give various workshops to the parents about the parenting role later this year.
Inspirational Reading with Gonzalo
In Ibarra, a city nearer to Quito where we live, our Hotel hostess, has asked us to consider giving talks to a group of ladies.
In Quito I,Jenny gave a workshop called POSITIVE PROGRAMING. This was in an educational institution run by the government and the event was for a group of 16 daycare and preschool teachers, all women except for one.
We noticed that their faces were radiant and there was a new energy in the group as they departed. They had arrived rather restless being the last hour of their long working day and having just sat through a work meeting which ran overtime! They have asked for more talks!!
Thanks to all who contribute towards our support here. As well as some donations covering our part of our trips, at last, we are able to start on our household list of needs and begin by investing in a second hand fridge and get foam and material to make cushions for some chairs and sofa!!
On October 27 we once again helped fund raise for Children in Need, along with the charity Home-start Barnet. We contributed our face-painting and balloon modelling talents, to help raise about £200 at the Colindale Grahame Park Community Centre.
Funded by Children in Need, Home-start Barnet provides a safe place for youngsters to play every Thursday and Friday while their parents take part in courses such as first aid, healthy eating and emotional health and wellbeing.
I also volunteer for Homestart one day a week, by supporting a family with children under 5 years old.
You can view the complete article from the Barnet Times on-line newspaper here.
Drawing by Nico, thanks to Children's Hospital Boston
Don't think that you have to be in an exotic country half way around the world, where the "natives" walk around barefoot in order to help and make a difference. There are so many ways to reach out to others where ever you are.
Although I have lived in third world countries with primitive conditions where I did my best to make a difference, now I live in England, where I still do my bit to make a difference in the lives that cross my path. It's not impossible!
The other day I volunteered my services as a face painter for the Fun Day party for a charity that I help with. When I arrived I was surprised at how many children were there. The organizers told me that they also were surprised at how many showed up! As soon as I was set up and ready to go, I had a queue of children wanting their faces painted so I got to work.
The event was taking place on a estate in a rough and deprived part of town and I quickly realized that probably most of these kids don't often get the chance to have their faces painted due to economical reasons and it was a real high point for them to get it done. Some of them were a bit "rough" and didn't have the best of manners. But, hey, having raised 5 boys myself, and having a lot of experience taking charge over rowdy boys in the classroom, I was enjoying their spirit and enthusiasm, even if they were shaking the table :"Hey, stop shaking the table--it feels like an earthquake!"
Two brothers who left a mark on my heart came a bit late and wouldn't leave my side, afraid to miss their turn, talking every minute. Have you ever tried to paint someone while a 7 year old is tugging at your sleeve to get your attention? Finally it was his turn and he then said, "I'll let my brother go before me, since he's younger than me". When his younger brother sat down, the older sibling said to me: "I'll help you by holding his head" and he then proceeded to clamp the head of his brother in a vice like grip. It looked so funny and it actually was a bit difficult to paint the poor little guy that way, who meekly complied. Finally it was his turn and before I knew it, I was packing up and all the kids were gone.
The other organizers were asking me if I was tired as it was none stop, but I could truly say that I wasn't. Truth was, it was an inspiration to me to be able to help in this way. It wasn't only the kids that were happy, but the parents too, many of whom would never normally be able to make their kids happy in this way. My reward was not only the resultant happiness of the children after they were transformed into a butterfly or tiger, but the interaction with them and the reminder of the innocence of children and the simplicity of spirit they possess and the easy way they express love and appreciation. This expression of innocence from them was especially touching for me knowing that many of them faced difficult challenges at home and their life ahead would not be a bed of roses!
No one handed me a pay envelope at the end of the day, but a little boy with special needs (there were several of them there) handed me an envelope with his scribbles on it, as a token of his appreciation. It was enough.
I was able to volunteer at a Teddy Bear Picnic, which was organised by the Barnet Pre-School Learning Alliance.
The event was to give the families a fun day together, while the staff was able to evaluate the Two Year Old Pilot programme's success with them. It took place at Mill Hill Park and there were various free activities for the children such as face painting, story time, making their own teddys to take home and several play areas.
All the families that were invited are participating in a pilot scheme aimed at offering 165 two year olds in Barnet from financially disadvantaged backgrounds 10 hours free quality childcare per week.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Anthony Finn attended, although he declined to have his face painted when I offered it to him!
The weather fully cooperated and it was a warm sunny day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was happy to be able to donate my time and face painting skills in this way.
I couldn't resist sharing some of the news we received not too long ago from our son Steve in Nigeria. Maybe if you are thinking about volunteering there, this is an idea of what you might be in for:
First Week Long Malaria Project--Lots of Action....
OK, so on Ogogoro Island. We are pasting out malaria nets and this Chief from another tribe comes into the church where we are doing the project and starts fighting with the chief of our Island ( the one we were on).
Crowds start to grow to watch & join in the fight. Art and I, the only two white people out of 3000 people on the Island, started making back up plans, just in case things got out of hand. However, while we were making plans, our boat pilot decides he will join in & off he was in the crowd. So much for our fast escape plan.
So 10 minutes of fist fights & the older chief falls flat on his black...out cold, with blood running down his face. Some members of the tribe start getting water for him from the bole-hole and cooling him off. Even though he had a bloody head & was knocked-out cold, he got up & went after the other Ogogoro chief. The Islanders put him on a fly boat & that was the end....
The Ogogoro Chief came to us later & was all happy, telling us everything is under control & that he is a World Class Killer Boxer. Art and I weren't sure if we should run away or stay & stand our ground & continue giving out nets. In the end we went with staying as we couldn't find the boat pilot at that point in time.
Project ended around 3 pm 24th of May 2010 & we gave out 300 nets & tested around 200 people for Malaria. I think it was 120 positive & 80 negative. Bonus for the day was 240+ Islanders gave their gave lives to Christ including the Ogogoro Chief. 25th of May 2010 We are going next door ( next Island to Ogogoro Island) to give out 300 more nets....I guess we will see the defeated Chief. Updated...Went to the next Island & didn't see the defeated Chief. Everything went great... To end the day...got a pig as a gift to fat up & eat later....
Recently we colaborated with the Hasmonean Girl's High School in North West London for a fund raising charity event. The school held a fair to raise funds for a school for children with special needs. There were different activities and along with members from other Family International Centres, we contributed face painting, balloon twisting and a children's magic show. Some of the special needs children were there also. I was priviliged to paint the face of one girl who wanted to be a tiger. She couldn't talk or point, but her carer kept pointing to the pictures and asking her if she wanted that one until she noticed a slight nod of her head. Afterwards, she had such a big grin on her face--it was very rewarding. Later on, while I was painting a boy, another special needs girl who was so interested in the paints, jumped into my lap, in order to get a closer look. She wasn't small and her carer had quite a time trying to get her off! Ha! It was a rewarding day and we were happy to help a good cause.
David with Josh, Aurora and children and some of the food and clothing we collected for them.
Every week we collect, organise and distribute food to other needy volunteers. We are happy to be able to help in this way as we know what a struggle daily living can be for some, especially these days. Here is David with Josh, Aurora and two of their three children. One of their children has special needs and it can get difficult for them at times. But we admire their fighting spirit and determination to keep on helping others with any spare time that they are able to find!
Once again, the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust had an event at Bentley Priory in Stanmore, with the mission to raise public awareness of the situation, to allow the general public to view the historic site, and to raise funds for its restoration. We were there for the second two days, offering twisted balloons and face painting. Our son, Jerry, also worked hard to help prepare the venue for two full days before the event.
On Saturay, 12th September, alone, about 3000 people attended, of all generations. One of the events of the day were a spitfire and a hurricane plane flying overhead. Crowds cheered as they flew past. Squadron leader Erica Ferguson said: "Everyone was standing on the lawn to see the rather spine-chilling and exhilarating evernt that was the planes flying by. It was so moving to see tears in the eyes of the older generation who lived through the experiences of this time.
On Thursday and Friday, hourly tours of 40 people got to visit the historic rooms and corridors where Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding masterminded the defence of the country during the Battle of Britain.
Saturday and Sunday Dowding's office and other areas return to their former glory with an historical re-enactment. Harrow and Bushey museums had stalls demonstrating life in the two areas during the war, and there was also a map of local bomb damage during the Blitz.
Part of our mission is to train and teach others who can work with us in their part of the world to help others. We have a friend who lives in the North of England--not very practical to give classes to! But like the hungry birds in the above photo, Steve would not let distance deter him! He wanted to learn more and would let nothing stop him! So we devised a plan whereby we meet halfway--he traveled south and we traveled north and we met up in Leicester, where there is a Family International Centre. They so kindly let us all stay for two days and we had a marathon course time--using as much of the time as we possibly could to teach the Connexions Course which is a Bible course compiled by the Family which helps prepare trainees for further work.
Steve, who is a guitarist, is already beginning to put what he is learning into practice: helping at another Centre in the Midlands by playing guitar for a monthly meeting they have there. Although it can be a bit of a tiring journey to travel up and back in two days, it is time well spent as we see his enthusiasm and hunger. After all, this is what we do!
Steve (left) studies the Connexions Course with Paul
Recently we spent 5 days helping Jesus House church with their annual car wash project. They wash cars for free and invite the owners inside where there are many activities. We manned the kid's corner. David taught the "STEPS Foundations of Faith", (Produced by Aurora Productions) which is a powerful personal development study curriculum to help children learn about God and His Word. This curriculum includes stories and many excellent teaching resource materials that stimulate discussion and help children discover answers to the many questions they have about God and spiritual principles. Dawn was face painting and I used the faces I painted to suggest a Bible story or concept which I told as I worked. A boy painted as a lion heard the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. Star tattoos reminded the wearers of how they will shine as stars if they are wise. To be honest, Batman was one face that stumped me and I didn't know of any Bible story that talked about bats! So I finally looked up "bat" in my Bible and sure enough it was there, under a list of animals that are not good to eat! Gloria was balloon modeling and a balloon hat became a crown of life. Balloon swords were the swords of the spirit, etc! It was a lot of fun and the time flew by! We even got some of the parents and staff to put on a balloon hat or get a design painted on their cheek or arm.
Dawn, David and two children at the Steps activity table
Gloria turned balloons into Bible objects
Painted stars were very popular
David's table was always busy
These children hold up their activities that they worked on while their parents were talking
A good deal of our time is spent training others to reach out to those around them. Isabella is one of our eager students who is nearing the end of the "12 Bridges Course". She is learning to be a listening ear to her collegues at work and her family, and then to do what she can to help them with counsel and by offerning them inspirational reading, geared to them individually.
Our neighbour, Dave, who is a landscape gardener, asked us if we would like to help him do some volunteer gardening at the RAF Bentley Priory in Stanmore, Harrow, NW London.
This is a historical site famous for its pivotal role as the Headquarters of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940. A trust has been set up to ensure that Bentley Priory is retained as a permanent living memorial to those who served in the Royal Air Force and
fought in the Battle, and to acknowledge and recognise the sacrifices made by them and others to ensure the freedom of Europe and the World.
On a walk some days ago David and I went to the surrounding park and caught a glimpse of the Priory through the bushes. It has a large majestic building with beautiful gardens around it. However, it was off limits to visit, and in fact, has been closed to the general public for the past
80 years. I thought it would be very interesting to be able to go on the grounds and see inside the building.
So I eagerly volunteered to help Dave. Our son Jerry and Sherly (who has been visiting us from India where she works with the Family International) also came along. The Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust were hosting a picnic concert and afternoon of popular classics with an aviation theme on Saturday 13 June 2009. The music would be provided by the 'London Amenda String Ensemble' a group of talented young music scholars from London Music Colleges. The area needed some sprucing up, and that's what we were helping with.
It was a fun afternoon spent weeding, digging, fixing the fountain and meeting new friends.
We feel priviliged to be able to help our local community with this noble cause and hope that the needed funds will soon be raised so that the beautiful area can be turned into a museum and the general public able to enjoy it.
If you are interested in learning more, here are links you can follow:
Dawn and Sherly (standing left) with the "Why Me?" team.
The Broadwalk Centre, Edgware, London, hosted 'Why Me? The Jemma-Kate Foundation' balloon race in support of The Teenage Cancer Trust on 7th June 2009.
The charity was established in memory of 18 year-old Jemma-Kate who lost her life to cancer in 2003. The day of the balloon race would have been Jemma-Kate's 24th birthday, so the charity's aim was to raise as much as possible to provide children with cancer the things that make their lives more 'normal' during this difficult period.
The charity's current project is funding a new specialist teenage cancer radiotherapy room at The University College Hospital.
Dawn and Sherly took part by volunteering their skills as face painters. It was a long day and a lot of work, but very rewarding. We are happy to have participated in this worthwhile cause.
They are pleased to announce that they successfully reached their target of £10,000 thanks to
every body's help and support.
It was a busy but gratifying day!
Dawn with Juliet who tirelessly helped organise the event.
We volunteered our services at the Multicultural Community Day 2009 at the Barnet Multicultural Community Centre in West Hendon. We contributed a free magic show and balloon modeling for the day. This year’s theme “Health & Harmony in the Community” was aimed at children, young people, adults and elders of all cultures and backgrounds. About 1500 people attended, including the Mayor of Barnet. We were happy to be part of an event that had a aim to strengthen links between the various community groups and service providers as well as to enable and encourage the younger generations to meet with service providers in a comfortable environment.
The Police Force Were Also Represented
Maypole Dancing, Carnival Dancing, Chinese Lion dance and Bollywood Dancing were part of the Attractions
This Police Officer Cheerfully Helped Out During the Children's Magic Show
