Amy & Robin in the center of Vredeford Dome
Nine years ago I made a promise to take my Sunshine anywhere in the world she wanted to go. Paris was her choice, but as fate would have it … an opportunity of a lifetime came up. Instead, Amy got to spend her 19th birthday in South Africa, with some of the most amazing people on earth.
We had a fantastic time delivering much needed school supplies, clothing, shoes, and requested items to the two orphanages I have been supporting in Johannesburg for years. Although I don’t think it was my best paint job ever (consider what we were painting with), Amy and I did our best at brightening one of the classrooms at Mpumelelo Day Care. 🙂
Maria, Amy, and Myself ... making a difference at Mpumelelo Day Care
We also spent quality time at Sinethemba, making homeade pizzas and passing out the gifts from “Christmas in April” (usually I do this for them in July, because their seasons are opposite of ours). Grant and Sharon still are in shock that I could fit so much into so little bags, and manage to bring everything they needed. That day I felt so much love, it was as though God was smiling at me, Himself.
Christmas in April with my Sinethemba Family (Benoni, South Africa)
We also helped Sharon and Grant put together a home they procured for a family in a local Squatters Camp. If you ever need a story on humility, just ask me about this amazing couple. They truly have hearts of gold and I am blessed to have been a part of the random act of kindness they gave to Anelda, her sister, and her two children. Sharing in this experience was all the more special because I got to do it with Amy. 🙂
Every day was a blessing, as our schedule was jam packed from the moment we landed, until we took off a week later. Again, I just want to take time to thank those individuals who donated items that were so desperately needed. One child told me “it’s not necessarily what you brought, it is the fact that you came, and you brought us hope through giving from your heart and sharing your love with us.”
May we each be so blessed to know we make a difference in some one elses life … it is the greatest feeling in the world. Share a smile, it will cost you nothing. Give a word of encouragement, it could be exactly what the person needs to hear. Let someone go in front of you in line, maybe they are in a hurry and could use that extra few minutes. Often times it is the little things that make the biggest difference for someone else.
And as a final note, never make a promise you cannot keep. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. Live with integrity … in the end, I can guarantee you that even if it takes 9 years or longer … fulfilling those commitments is quite rewarding. 🙂
Be blessed by allowing yourself to be a blessing … make it an awesome day!
Always,
Robin
Mpumelelo Day Care ... where the children were so happy to merely touch our skin & have their photos taken! 🙂
Tags: Airline Ambassadors, donations, humanitarian, Mpumelelo, Robin Schmidt, Sinethemba, South Africa, The Sky Angel, Travel, volunteering