published in Hope Spots 2024 on July 3, 2024

Hope Spot 24 – What you reflect…

A crack in the window and a reflection on kindness


Something strange happened to me last week.

 

We got a new screen for our front door. The next day, the big window alongside it was cracked. The next day the crack had spread further.

 

 

I emailed the Screen Door People and sent them the photo you see here.

 

They replied in minutes (amazing), and said they would fix the window free of charge (even more amazing).

 

Phew, relief for me!

 

Until …

 

… the Window Man came, and suggested the crack might be caused by something different. A stray nail on the beading. Thermal heating (I looked it up – it’s a ‘thing’). But not the Screen Door People.

 

So now I had a decision.

 

I could accept what the Window Man said (even though it seemed a big coincidence), and pay his bill myself …

 

… or say nothing, and have the Screen Door People pay, and save myself $1,000?

 

What would you do?

 

I paid the bill (just as I know you would), then emailed the Screen Door People to tell them.

 

They called straight back.

 

And here’s what’s strange …

 

… they told me they were overwhelmed
that someone had been honest!

 

They said it was unheard of. Usually, they had angry people trying to rip them off.

 

I could hear actual joy in their voice.

 

They even said they’d share what happened with all their workers, to encourage them!

 

What a world when honesty is a rarity. Kindness a ‘luxury’.

 

So often, it’s me me me.

 

Or me first, and others distant second.

 

You, though, are different.

 

You think of others, even when things may be tough for you. You keep on being kind, even when it would seem easier to put yourself first.

 

That’s a real gift.

 

It’s why you are so precious to each person you help through ALWS:

 

… the children of war in Myanmar you help go to school with the 5:1 Government Grant

 

… the farmers you help increase their harvest in Burundi

 

… the children in Kharkiv, on the Ukrainian border with Russia, going to school in underground nuclear shelters converted to classrooms by our ALWS partner LWF, and then home to apartments you helped renovate after bombing.

 

These are just some of the 400,000+ people helped through ALWS this past financial year, which you’ll be able to read about all of this in your Report Back later this month!

 

As I write this, another man is putting film on our new window.

 

It will act like a mirror to give us privacy.

 

That made me think of these words from the Bible, which I share to encourage you:

 

For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; 
then we shall see face to face. 

 

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,
even as I am fully known.

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 
But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:12,13

 

Thank you for your faithful kindness, the hope you give, and most of all, the love you share and reflect into the world.

 

You are a blessing ALWayS!

 

 

PS: The new 5:1 Australian Government Grant for children of war in Myanmar is still available to increase the impact of your donation SIX TIMES. DONATE 5:1 NOW! Thank you!

 

 

Your 5:1 donation is used wisely

 

♥ You help with practical care

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding from the Australian Government to reach more people. ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5 received from the Australian government. The total Australian Government Grant that ALWS has allocated to Myanmar projects is $440,500.

Therefore, ALWS must raise $88,100 to fully match this 5:1 Grant. ALWS aims to do this by 30 June 2024. Should ALWS receive income beyond this amount, those funds will be used to support other ALWS projects that attract the 5:1 Government Grant, and other life-transforming ALWS projects.

Your donation will allow us to extend ALWS programs.

 

♥ You give ‘no strings attached’ aid

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

 

♥ Your kindness goes to work carefully

In 2023, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 15.43%. The 5 year average is 15.77%. A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407.

 

♥ Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is The Overseas Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

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