Grateful

Last night I heard our librarian speak of her trip to Kenya.  She lived with a Massai family and taught at local schools.  She showed many photos and shared stories of the people, their struggles and their poverty.  The annual income per person in Kenya is $315 (Australia $19213).    The kids at the school drank from the same water trough as the donkeys and goats.  They eat one meal a day.  They don't have toys and there is no playground.  The schools have no materials apart from a few old textbooks.

Which leads me to really think of the simple things in my life that I am grateful for.  That I have clean water and enough food to share with my family and friends.  That I was able to give my kids toys and games to play.  That we had access to good schools.  That I could afford to take them to the doctor and the dentist.  That we even have doctors and dentists. 

I found this on http://www.kanji.org/kanji/jack/personal/100peop.htm

The following is also something to ponder... If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.



If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.


If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or wrath... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world, about 60% of the world population.


If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.


If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.


If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada.


If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.


If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

We're a fortunate group of people...