We held our first garage sale to clear out our belongings and raise some funds for our Peru trip. There was one outstanding happening at this event which I will never forget and which I want to share with you.
This was becoming emotionally difficult as we were getting rid of a number of our sentimental belongs. Then an older man purposely walked past all our tables of stuff and directly up to me where at the time I was standing on our driveway at the back of it all. He looked me in the eyes and said (in my words):
“I saw your article in the North Shore Times recently and I want to tell you that you are doing the right thing. I had the opportunity about 30 years ago with my family to go to Rwanda and do what you are going to do in Peru, but we chose not to go. There were various reasons at the time, but in hindsight none were worth stopping us going.”
By this time he had tears in his eyes and his face was full of regret.
He went on to assure me our mission to Peru will be the best thing I could ever do with my family, and to never to look back as he did. He then turned and walked down our driveway into his car and drove off. He was not there to buy anything but to provide a most timely assurance.
My sentimentality issues with my “coveted possessions” and any doubts that were remaining were addressed then and there.
Our first garage sale for Peru (16 Oct 2015)
Chris
What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing Chris.
ReplyDelete"Treasured Possession" were something I also remember trying to part with at our garage sale five or more years ago now. Difficult at the time but we haven't looked back either and don't miss our 'things'. Our possessions are so different now and not things that we can hold or own; memories, experiences, love, language, different cultures, and the the ability to really make a difference. What timely advice this man has given you. I think the greatest change has been in us rather than those we have gone to serve.