DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

‘But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.' 1 John 3: 17 - 18

The other day whilst driving to a meeting, I listened to Mrs. Melania Trump give her speech outlining our projects as First Lady of the USA. The speech which was excellent, challenging and deeply moving. It was entitled ‘Be the Best’. During the speech she made reference to ‘A Buddy Bench’ and a young man named Christian. Let me share his story:

‘In the spring of 2013, when Christian was in first grade, there was a possibility that his family was going to move to Germany. When they were looking at a website for a school overseas, Christian saw a picture of a special bench on the playground. He asked about it and liked what he heard. He thought it would be a really great thing to have on the playground at his current school, Roundtown Elementary. He knew that there were some kids who felt lonely at recess and he thought this would put an end to that! He told his teacher and his principal about it and they thought it was a great idea! Since it was the end of the school year, the principal said he would look into it over the summer and they would get it in place in the fall.’

The buddy bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground. Let's spread the message of inclusion and kindness!

Christian did not move to Germany, but his school did install a ‘Buddy Bench’. The bench was installed at his school and the kids loved it. When a child was seen sitting on the bench, the others knew he/she was perhaps lonely, looking for a friend who would play with them, help them.

This to me was a tremendous idea, and then I realized we as a Mission have ‘Buddy Benches’ in Guatemala and Haiti, if you look with eyes of love you will see a child, a child needing someone to help them. Help them to know they are important and not alone! The children I speak of and want you to see are in need of sponsorship, the chance to go to school, to have food and to discover in so many ways the love of Jesus.

For example, I see Wilguens Pantaleon from Haiti, he is sitting on a 'Buddy Bench'.

Wilguens lives with his grandmother, as his parents have left him in her care. His grandmother was a merchant but since the rising of prices, and her very low savings she could not continue. She started plowing soil to earn a living for little Wilguens, but her farm is not producing due to severe climate and poor soil.

Wilguens’ grandmother is desperate, and is in need of help to provide the necessities of life for Wilguens, and to be able to send him to school. She is seeking for a helping hand to offer a better future for little Wilguens.

Will you come and sit on the bench and help?