Twelve Year Old Supporter

During my stint in the USA for the holidays I was able to gain perhaps my biggest supporter. Now I am of course grateful for all of my supporters but this supporter came as a complete surprise.

Let me set this up. While visiting long-time friends in Wisconsin recently I was speaking about what I eat in the Dominican. Their family is made up of mom and dad and three kids. I talked about the typical meals I have of plantains, chicken or “la bandera” (the flag) rice and beans or spaghetti Dominican style. I then talked how just about every morning I have either eggs or oatmeal. I really enjoy both. For some reason growing up I always enjoyed oatmeal and putting cinnamon or raisins or grape jelly on it. That continues today but I replace the grape jelly with honey. Eggs I also doctor up with salt, pepper, Cajun spice or Tabasco. In our conversation my new supporter also asked, “is there anything you miss eating that you eat in the United States?” It came to mind that maybe once a month or two months I like to get a box of milk and a small box of frosted flakes. Yes, milk is sold in 1 liter boxes of milk that do not need refrigeration if it is an unopened box. The frosted flakes I purchase are from Columbia and are called “Zucaros”, which I would translate as sugar flakes. While not exactly Tony the Tigers official, “They’re GREAT flakes” they do the job.

My to-be new supporter asked well how much do those Zucaros cost? I did the intense math in my head and figured out that a box of Zucaros costs about 60 pesos. There are about 33 pesos to the dollar so I shared with her that a little box is about two U.S. dollars.

That conversation ended innocently enough until I was ready to depart from my friends house. As I was preparing to leave my new supporter came to me in my friend’s dining room and said, “Mr. Martinez I want to start supporting you.” Initially, I was a little embarrassed but said “thank you.” She continued, “I am going to start sending you two dollars a month so that you can buy yourself a box of frosted flakes every month.”

The twelve year old donating her first two dollars cash.

In first Corinthians 13 we are told that Love is not self-seeking. My friend Elisabeth is not self-seeking she is “other-seeking.” She is a loving kid. As a twelve year old she understands how to reach out to others and what missions is about. In a very practical manner it is simply the second of the two greatest commandments, love your neighbor. This is missions in its most foundational, practical form -- giving to others.

There are lots of little motivators when we become missionaries. So often I get to see people’s hearts. When people get out of their comfort zone while here in the field it is easy to see where they stand with the Lord. There are those who when they hear I am a missionary do things like apologize for their cursing or stand up straight. Or there are those that give the little they can to make others lives better.

Elisabeth thanks for the frosted flakes this month. As I crunch away and get my sugar rush I am asking God to show me how I can be like you today. I hope you have a GREAT day!