Morning Thought 4 for Thursday October 20th
2011
Good morning. I believe Mustard Seed Jersey is the only
charity that provides Christmas shoeboxes for the repatriated victims of people
trafficking. Like many other charities we pack shoeboxes for children. Like a
few other charities we pack shoeboxes for the elderly.
When we saw the need of the repatriated trafficked
victims, we responded by offering Christmas shoeboxes. The social worker tells
me we are the only charity who give practical material
assistance to the trafficked victims in that area of Romania.
Each repatriated trafficked victim has a unique tragic
story. The common theme is that he or she believed that going abroad would
result in much needed money to support their family. But in many cases this did
not work out, some victims are kept in virtual slavery, many are not paid, some
are sexually abused – it’s all pretty horrible. Somehow they got away and have
now gone back to Romania in an even worse condition, without the hoped for
money and their self-confidence and often their health in tatters.
The social worker said how much it helps her on her first
visit to take a gift of toiletries and clothing received from Mustard Seed
Jersey. Tears filled her eyes as she spoke of the victims’ joy and gratitude.
This social worker has eagerly sent us a list of how many repatriated victims
she cares for and is keen that each victim and their immediate family will have
a Christmas shoebox from Jersey.
There are leaflets at all the Parish Halls which give you
details of the suggested contents. Do pick one up and think whether you could
respond. It will take time and maybe cost you £20, but it will bring so much
joy to the recipient, regardless of whether your box is for a child, a
pensioner or a trafficked victim.
I will end with a quote from Mother Teresa “It's
not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”