this little sweetie.
And this one.
And this one.
Aren't they beautiful? In case you're like me and was wondering what that is on their pretty faces, I looked it up for you. It's tanaka paste, made from sandlewood and water. In Myanmar, the country that used to be Burma, women and children wear tanaka paste as a sunscreen and for religious and cosmetic purposes.
As you know, Myanmar was struck by a terrible hurricane a week and a half ago, on May 2nd.
I read today that its government claims 32,000 dead, and 30,000 missing, but that international agencies put that number closer to 100,000 dead, with the numbers sure to rise quickly given the government's resistance to foreign aid, the quick onset of disease, and the lack of safe drinking water.
Visit HERE to learn more if you like.
So with that news today and the news of more and more deaths from the earthquake in China, folks, I just couldn't do a post on kudzu or musical instruments made of vegetables. Besides, those children are beautiful wonders of the world, don't you think? All children are.
Their beautiful faces remind me of the Burmese friends Todd and I made when we were newlyweds living in Washington DC. We met them at our amazing church, Calvary Baptist, right in the heart of the city. Not only was Calvary so cool for its commitment to social justice, serving the DC community with ministries like the city's first women's shelter, but it was the first church I'd ever been to that actually looked more like the rest of the world, with blacks and whites, Chinese, and Burmese. We loved our time there, and I heard that after we moved away, the Burmese community grew so large that the church gave them room to do their own services in their own language. I imagine that many of them right now are in pain for their homeland and their families.
So today I'm thinking of them.
And praying.
But I won't lose hope.
Whenever in life I feel myself thinking about losing hope, I just find some kids and look at them.
Kids are great inspiration.
No wonder we're instructed to be more like children.
Have an inspiring Wednesday!
8 comments:
Hi, Rebecca! Thanks for your lovely comment on the blog the other day. Yours is fantastic as well. I'd love to read your book; it's always been our fantasy to pack up and move to France for a bit.
take care -
jill
What beautiful children. The hurricane and earthquake were devastating. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the after math of those too catastrophic events. My hearts go out to all of the people living in those places.
Penny
What a lovely post showing us a glimpse of you humanitarian heart and reminding us all that there is more than just what is going on at home. I'll keep them in my prayers as well and be thankful for what I do have.
It's so odd that as I saw those kids' pictures the first thought that came to mind was,"Aren't they beautiful?".Then I sawthose were the exact same words you had written.
Those poor people and it is such a shame that they go through all this and then be refused to have any help come in. It is a tragedy.
Yes,let's all pray for them and have faith that the Lord's will be done in regards of getting help for these people.
Amen.
What sweet faces and lovely sentiment.
What beautiful children.
There seems to be so many natural disasters lately.
They should all be in our prayers.
Rosemary
I love your post.. thanks!
Your blog is awesome, I will be visiting often.
Have an awesome Blogfest!
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