Gifts of the Heart

A few years ago I read a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, which was an excellent read and I learnt a few important elements of relationships. We all speak different love languages better known as “Words of Affirmation, Deeds of Action, Quality Time, Gifts and Affection”. My love languages, which make absolute sense to me, are primarily words of affirmation and quality time. However, I tend to speak the love language of gifts to others which I find a bit odd as I don’t necessarily need that language spoken to me.

I absolutely LOVE buying things, the endorphins seriously give me a kick and I feel completely on top of things and explode with joy and all the fuzzy stuff. But what I love more and what really does it for me is buying things / presents for others. I have noticed over the years, especially when I was younger, I would typically buy presents for my family when I went away and not really buy anything for myself. Strange, I know BUT I have definitely gotten over that, as my means have improved, and now buy for everyone including myself. But this is not the point of my story today. My story is about gifts of the heart…

After spending heaps of time with the Anna family, with my eyes blessed to see and hear, and learning that they pretty much only have one outfit EACH I decided that my gift would be clothes. We all went to Salima, the town about 30 minutes away at the beginning of the week, and I bought two outfits for each child. I was in my element choosing clothes for them and spent at least 30 to 40 minutes shopping around in ONE store for them. The joy that burst out my heart was exhilarating, not because of the action I did, but that it was within my means to help this family ever so slightly. I was so excited to give their outfits to them.

So I arranged to go over to the Anna family today at noon, hoping all her kiddies would be there. When I arrived, Marcy gave me a huge hug and walked me up to the house. I just prayed for my heart to be strong for the moment that awaited me. There were four of the younger kiddies and Anna at the house and we went inside to chat. After a while I looked at all their beautiful faces and tried to explain what I had brought and that my heart had been so touched by their family. I STRUGGLED getting the words out…There was simply so much emotion in the room; it was overwhelming. I explained in the best possible way what a privilege it has been to spend time with them and get to know each of them. I told Anna what amazing children she has raised and that she is an incredible mother…that I know that things are hard for them and hope that the small token would make it a touch easier for them…

It was not about me but purely a gift of the heart to this incredible family.

I handed out the outfits to each child and their faces lit up to say the least. They had such a stunning smile from ear to ear as they had a look at each piece of clothing. Anna thanked me with so much passion, that’s not even the right word but you know what I mean. It was SO genuine; she said that she is happy with her life and kept saying “May God bless you, thank you so much.” I was on the brink of tears…it was so overwhelming!!!

However, the kiddies and their excitement helped me pull myself together as they quickly undressed to try on their new clothes. We were all so happy and smiling and laughing. They were so grateful…

This is definitely a family I am going to miss and their big smiles. They truly are beautiful Malawian Souls. They have made this journey so memorable and have really opened up my eyes to the hardships and joys in their life. Believe me when I say this family doesn’t have much… Yet their smiles never seem to escape their face and I believe it all comes down to love. They are definitely RICH in LOVE.

In saying that…they have changed my perspective on a few things but most of all on the GREATER importance of the small things in life…

*Names have been changed