 May/Summer 2000 (XXXVIII 3) |
xamples of what it means to live out our principles and act on our faith can come from all kinds of interesting places. Sometimes our own children show us the way. This can be true in the realm of generosity as well as in any other.
Recently we received a note from an 8-year-old Quaker boy, Richard Joyce, who lives in Monte Verde, Costa Rica. He had been given $100 for Christmas and decided he wanted to make that gift a gift to others, to make the world a better place. He wanted specifically to help native peoples.
So he has given away the whole $100 to the Indian Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Furthermore, he wants it to be a gift that will continue into the future, so he has asked them to add it to the principal of their funds "so that they can use it every year to give to Indian projects."
What does he want back? Only that the Indian Committee "would please send him a letter telling him what projects it funded last year, [and] what projects it will fund this year," so that he can know how his gift will make a difference.
Here is an 8-year-old who already knows something about faith and generosity, and offers an example for us all.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM