Saturday, July 18, 2009

Why World Vision?

I am always asked why I am so passionate about World Vision and how did I first become involved with them, this post is about what led me to them. Back in 2004 I read a little book called "The Power of Generosity" written by Dave Toycen, the President of World Vision Canada. After reading the first few pages, I remember putting the book down and thinking to myself what an amazing human being he is and that's the kind of person I would like to be. There are many stories and passages in his book that moved me to look deep within and beyond myself, but one that impacted me greatly and to this very day inspires me to never give up no matter how hopeless I may feel is a letter he wrote to his wife while working in Zaire following the Genocide in Rwanda. I hope you will take the time to read it and discover for your self what an amazing man Dave Toycen is.

"Dear Diane,

It was a bad day and a good day in Goma, Zaire among the Rwanda refugees.

It was a bad day because I saw a man with no hope crawl to his death. I was on a hurried trip to discover the latest developments in our World Vision food distribution program at Mugunga Camp when it happened.

The medical tents were off to the right as I climbed the modest rise into the camp. On the left-hand side, bodies were laid out like cord wood, all along the narrow roadway. When I passed the medical tents there were more bodies on the left. The sight and the stench take your breath away in the hot African sun. Then, not more than four metres in front of me, a shrouded figure was crawling on his hands and knees toward an empty space in the line of corpses. A boy of about 12 had his hand on this crawling, macabre figure, while his face registered a stunned shock and silence. The shrouded form of the man collapsed at the empty space in the line, and died. Here was the most shocking, compelling tribute to death in this hell on earth.

It was a bad day because a woman among the thousands thrust the baby in her arms in front of me and said, "Help" -- and in my helplessness to do anything, I turned away. Even in the microcosm of one little life I could do nothing.

I was afraid -- and the stench of hopelessness covered me, too. Right now I feel dirty and empty because I am a human being who is part of the despair and tragedy of this place.

It was a good day because I helped carry and transport six critically ill children from our Unaccompanied Children's Centre. We took them by car to the recently installed Israeli field hospital outside of Goma, where we were met with generosity and true professionalism. The hospital staff attacked the illnesses trying to take these children's lives with a single-minded purpose. They won the battle tonight, and six little ones are still living. It was a good day.

Dear one, I've been to hell and heaven all in one day -- and it hurts. Somehow I want you to know that I was a man today who lived in the middle of the whirlwind. My name was called and what I did was bad and good. You, more than anyone in this world, know that I am both. Pray for these refugees, pray for those who help -- and for me that I will not lose my way, in this place that must break the heart of God.

All my love as always,
Dave

Generosity by itself won't save the world; but along with its contribution to human care for those who suffer, it is a sign -- a reminder that we are more than our lowest common denominator.

There is satisfaction in catching the next breath, eating the next meal and staying in a shelter that is protected from the elements. What makes us human are the acts of kindness; giving the cup of water, providing the way to medical care and doing what's required with an extra measure of human touch and generosity.

My experience in Zaire was a twisted, inverted experience of my humanity -- and others' humanity as well. My failure and helplessness led me to go deeper than ever before in my life. I found grace, and the determination not to give up and the maturity to move from my own failure to help those in the valley of the shadow of death. No one can walk this path and remain unaffected." Dave Toycen

Carol