Comments on: You Win Some, You Lose Some

By: kimsueellen

kimsueellen — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 05:12:59 +0000

This just breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes. I’ll pray for the people who took the stuff and those who need it the most!

By: Lynja_the_ninja

Lynja_the_ninja — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:56:58 +0000

I can’t think of anything to say that hasn’t been said. I want to raise my voice with all the other people here with encouragement and a big Hug

By: happyshaken

happyshaken — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:01:24 +0000

I can relate to your anger, frustration, and sadness of the DVD’s that were left. I too would feel the same, but you said it quite well earlier in your blog, ” I urge you to steer clear of the immediate judgments from our comfortable lives where all we can call it is “stealing.” If your LIFE FOCUS was SURVIVAL,”. Just try to remember that you left them the most important thing that you wanted to leave them — LOVE AND LANGUAGE and that can NEVER be taken away. Not to mention you left everyone there with one other thing that can NEVER be taken away — HOPE. You encourage the girls not to be ashamed or scared to not try anything. You, Leah, Alex, and everyone else also showed them LOVE and everything can be solved with love. Leah proved that when the children would get upset because they wanted to be closer to her. All the children picked up on this, especially the older children. Look at what you left them that isn’t even in a ‘tangible’ form — hope, love, language, laughter, smiles, and memories.

I think you have the right perspective and mind set — “but I am NOT going to be one of the people who quit, because it’s not about the things, it’s about the kids.”. And as Cathybarra said, ‘Change only comes when people don’t give up. I won’t give up!’ You and Leah are like that — You two will NOT give up. You are showing that by donating the videos to the teachers for being paid for their training. Also in the fact that you are willing to go back and help and still want too. Thanks for sharing that with me and all us here.

May the Lord continue to bless you, your family, and crew for all the service that you have given past, present and intend to give in the future. I truly have a blessing each day when I am able to read on your blog and enjoy the wonderful things that are happening. Life is great and a BIG GRAND ADVENTURE.

By: amiller

amiller — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:48:45 +0000

Rachel, the important thing is not the wrong that was done by another. It is the RIGHT that was done by you. I liken this to giving money to panhandlers. Sure, you may give them a dollar that they then use to buy alcohol or drugs. but you didn’t give it to them with that spirit. you gave it in the spirit of helping others and that is what counts. I don’t believe that the end justifies the means, rather that the means supercede the ends. You gave those DVDs in the spirit of love and education. And if even one child picked up one sign from those DVDs before they disappeared, then they have made a difference in that child’s life. Focus on the love, focus on “The Good” (Ahem) - and know that you are making a difference, one sign at a time, to many people all over the world. And THAT is worth a thousand DVDs.

By: cathybarra

cathybarra — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:26:36 +0000

Change only comes when people don’t give up. If people continue to give up, the hope is gone. You have brought these children hope that one day their futures will be brighter. I agree with everyone else, they can’t take away knowledge. We will all be here to support the next Ghana trip, I won’t give up!

By: JenML17

JenML17 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:39:10 +0000

Boy… we do take a lot for granted. America is all about “rights” (and folks in his society suing wih a knee jerk reaction when those rights are seemingly trampled).
Sad that the videos were confiscated. The tools that those children and teachers needed, and were so psyched to get. It’s hard to imagine that there’s nothing that can be done about it. Upsetting.

Thanks for bringing this all to us for our awareness. It certainly is a different mindset, and the caution not to judge is definitely needed.

Thanks again.

By: rebekah1981

rebekah1981 — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:12:28 +0000

Just what ‘things’ would you be asked to remove from your blog posts?

I see nothing that is distasteful or disrespectful, just observations.

And dont let this mishap get you down and stress you out. At least you can go to bed at night (or wee hours j/k) and think “man, i got to help some wonderful kids today.” (and goofy adults like me) learn to sign :0)

By: dtravelbug

dtravelbug — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:27:52 +0000

Yuck, that both makes me sick and breaks my heart. Will the same danger of stolen DVDs be there with the teachers?? Who is it that takes them away? I appreciated your commentary on the mindset they have in taking things away, because no way would I have been able to fathom an excuse that wasn’t 100% cruel in its intent. Denise

By: Kei

Kei — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:42:36 +0000

Wow… just… wow. It’s wonderful that the teachers would rather be paid in ST dvds than cash for their attendance~ what an impact having you there, seeing for themselves just how quickly they could learn sign language was.

I have no fever, but when I read about how the full set of dvd’s that were left for the schools, teacher’s classes and the church had been collected and not seen since, I sat here and wept too. The thing is, you did leave them with the more important things which can never be stolen… knowledge, caring, friendship and hope.

By: deafmom

deafmom — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:06:21 +0000

Rachel,

How frustrating and sad! I hope you’re feeling better and getting well!