For the Kids in Cambodia

Nellie GolbovIn September 2012 I had the joy of participating in CGI’s 5K. I signed up anticipating my husband would watch our 15-month-old son and 3 ½ year old daughter while I lazily jogged the trail. Well, husband dearest needed to rescue a jet engine, leaving me with our children. I quickly realized my simple, sweet trot to raise awareness about Cambodia would be much more work. I loaded our double stroller, packed a bag of snacks, filled sippy cups to the brim and trudged off to the race.

My daughter Nellianne began asking questions: “Where are we going? Who are the people we’re running for? When do we eat next? They don’t have nice water?! I have to pee!” general questions and comments for a three-year-old thrust into a 5k. We arrived, unloaded, and checked in. The event, geared toward children, bustled with carnival games and parents as runners registered and proudly pinned on their badges.  The large group headed toward the start line, funneling together like clowns in a car.

Just after the start gun popped, Nellianne looked up at me and politely asked, “Momma, may I run, too?” A thousand thoughts zoomed through my brain (as often happens in a mother’s mind). In the end, I let her run.

photo by: Craig Nordhoff

photo by: Craig Nordhoff

And she ran.  And ran.  And ran some more. In total, Nellie ran ¾ of the 5k and, in honesty, motivated me to run more than I would have otherwise.

After the race, I asked her if she understood why we were running. “Ummm…” She paused.

“For the kids in Cambodia.”

“But, Nellie, do you know what that means? Why do they need people to run for them?”

She waited, then responded, “They don’t have water or anything and we’re running for them.”

“That’s right sweetheart. We ran today so they could hear about Jesus and have jobs and clean water and so many more wonderful blessings! Our running raised money to help them!”

Two months later, she came to me and asked if she could give some of her toys to the Cambodian kids that don’t have any. We gathered some stuffed animals and books she no longer used or needed and gave them to Jaime Roscoe. When Jaime asked her why she wanted to do that [give her toys away], she said: “It made me sad they didn’t have anything to play with.”

I completely underestimated my daughter. Not only did she run – she grasped the idea of the run. It stuck somewhere in her tiny toddler heart, causing her to make decisions later in the year to help someone else, without provocation or motivation for herself. CGI Kids is helping change distant ideas into concrete concepts for children to grasp. Nellie isn’t just putting money in a jar to help change lives in Cambodia, she’s visualizing another child in need and asking, “What else can I do?  How can I help more?”

CGI Kids is doing so much to help me teach Nellianne about people in need, about what it means to have a servant’s heart and what loving one another is all about. I am so grateful for their ministry and the way it is shaping my daughter.

by Emily Golbov

 

Midwest Food Bank event

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Inspiration comes in all ages and sizes. 43 kids gave up their Saturday morning to come to the Midwest Food Bank and sort out different toiletry items and giant bags of candy for the hungry and needy families of Indianapolis. However, they did not just come, they came willingly and with excited faces. The entire warehouse at the food bank echoed with the laughter of small children rushing to see who could fill their bags the fastest – so they could fill another bag! Happy voices mingled in with the laughter as the older kids helped the younger kids, as parents stood back and watched their children taking the first steps to changing the future.

When food bank director John Whitaker announced to the room full of excited kids that some families in Indianapolis can not afford to buy little treats for their children, such as candy, disappointment crept onto their faces. He went on to say that a local candy company had donated a lot of candy to the warehouse and that they would be dividing it up and putting it in bags. Their eyes were shining at the mention of candy, but there was joy when John reminded them it wasn’t for them to eat, but to give away. Their excitement was contagious as the parents also started to show signs of eagerness.

The group was divided randomly and half of the kids sorted and stuffed bags of candy, while the other half sorted and stuffed special bags filled with shampoos and soaps. Each child was determined to make sure that these bags were filled exactly like they were supposed to; they were also determined to make as many bags as they could in the time that they had.

So inspiring. Children of all ages coming together to help the poor of Indianapolis. So willing, so nonjudgemental. There is a lot to be learned from the faith of a child, and the unquenchable thirst to know why other kids in the world don’t have everything that they do, and their humble innocence in wanting to help. While we strive to fill our children with good morals and values, our children are instilling us the reminder that we can give unselfishly–even when it’s candy.

By Aimee Davis

-No matter the age, or the shape or the size
helping can be done if we open our eyes

If we follow the steps that our children are taking

We will see tall the changes in lives they are making

So maybe for a while instead of leading,

We should follow our children to see what they’re seeing-

Recycling Our Hearts

by Alan Beringer

by Alan Beringer

When I arrived I noticed the recycling cart parked in front of the CGI office.  This is a pretty common sight in Cambodia, especially in the city.  Very little goes to waste in the developing world.  Mom was not far away, but it struck me that she left her little one in the cart while she searched through bins and asked neighboring store owners if they had anything that she might be able to sell. When she returned we asked her what amount she would make from the recycler.  She said $5 a day, but based on what we saw in the cart and know of the industry, that seemed very optimistic.

Our hearts break in increments, but they heal quickly. Then we forget. We become distracted and self-absorbed. Then we move on.  Could I challenge you to remember the poor today? Perhaps even do something for the poor today? On the drive from the airport, we were stopped in traffic at a light.  A little kid – maybe 8 or 9 – took a feather duster and started “cleaning” our car.  This happens a lot here.  The boy needed money but knew that doing something was better than just begging.  His hopeful eyes gazing through the still dusty glass finally broke Alan Beringer down, who rewarded his effort with a small gift.  Let your guard down today and let your heart break just a little.  Consider for a moment what your life and what your future would be like if this picture was taken of you.

Until ALL have heard,
Chris

Why is there dirt in the water daddy? Who would drink that?

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At first glance, it looked like any other bottle of water sitting on a store display table. It only took Mackenzie and Zachary one closer look, though, to see that something was very wrong. Even as young children, they recognized that an unopened bottle of water should not be filled with dirt, sticks, and other debris.

Their sincere and troubled response was, “Why is there dirt in that water, Daddy? Who would drink that?” It was a powerful moment as they stared as pictures of little boys and girls around the world – who appeared to be the same ages as Mackenzie and Zachary – who are forced every day to drink water full of dirt and disease. At that moment a simple bottle of dirty water was transformed into a CGI Kids story.

Their decision to make an impact around the world would help provide children with clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. They began to do extra chores and set money aside until they finally had what they believed was enough.

Mackenzie and Zachary talked with CGI President Chris Alexander and learned  he was getting ready to travel to Cambodia . He told them that he was going to visit little boys and girls that live on an island who have no access to clean water. This CGI Kids story resulted in three families being dramatically impacted. Two of those families live on an island half-way around the world and who now have clean water because two kids from central Indiana decided to make a difference. Mackenzie and Zachary’s decision to make a difference impacted our family, too. Now our family’s vision is to, “…help other people around the world and at home.”

Incredible things can be achieved when kids are empowered to use their creativity and passion to make a difference in the lives of other children. What are your talents and interests? Start writing your CGI Kids story today.