9/11 Love Multiplies

9/11 Sunday. We had donated $540 to UNICEF to help relief the "horn" people in Africa.

On or around 9/11, "R" donated another $540, "K" donated another $540, and "M" donated another $540. They matched our donations. All to Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Plus the Canadian government matching the donations, this little initiative ("The tomatoes of Hope") out of this little patio of mine raised more than $4000 for these poor and the needy people in one of the worst famine in Africa.

Joy filled my heart. And tears almost fell, as I recounted how God moved and led us to this finish line on 9/11...

A few months ago, we decorated our pale patio with summer favour by growing pot plant - tomatoes. First time in 14 years.

In July, we heard of the very severe famine in these 3 African countries, the "horn." We have been constantly praying for Africa, especially Somalia and Sudan. The news broke our heart. So out of our very tight budget, we donated some money.

I watered the tomatoes daily. My kids at times.

One day while I was doing the watering, God inspired me to sell these tomatoes and donate these money to Africa. While I was excited with this idea, Jesus told me, "why don't you ask some Christians to match the tomatoes sales?" I was even more excited now as I could see it as a way that more people, Christians or non-Christians, came to realize the desperate needs of our "neighbours" far away.

8/1. I posted on facebook about this little project and the needs for the famine. Sadly no one responded. Not even 1 "like" or 1 "comment." While my friends' photos of delicious foods, up-class hotels...jammed "the top news" of my facebook. I felt some loneliness.

8/1. Same day. This displaced Somalian woman (above picture) sits with her malnourished children at refugee camp in the capital waiting desperately for life necessities.

I pressed on. Water and water. With love and love and prayers for these tiny little tomato firstfruits. God bless all those acts that bless other people. Our tomatoes grow big and red.

I managed to find 3 friends of mine who were quick to say "Yes" when requested to match our tomatoes donation. Now we were a bit worried to sell the most expensive tomato in the world. $10 each.

If I would have just made a few calls, all these tomatoes would be gone right away. But we wanted as many people to participate as possible. So that more people will know the needs there. And more might do some extra good at a later day. We were just the initiator and agitator of more love actions! We decided to sell to our neighbours and our small community. So we talked to our Muslims friends, Catholic friends, Buddhist friends, atheist friends, Christian friends... And we talked to friends from Middle East, Africa, Taiwan, PRC, HK, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Korea, Philippines...

Most embrace this "Tomatoes of Hope" readily. Few of them with hesitations. Why not?! When you were sunbathing at the pool side, suddenly someone whom you not knew well came up and asked for donation. You hesitated naturally. I felt embarrassed even more naturally.

I really did. Even when I were in need, I seldom ask people for money. I have my pride. Now I asked people to trust me with $10. Even $10. People hesitate. And I felt embarrassed. Suddenly a voice inside said, "If my embarrassment means help and aids to the famine people. I don't mind made embarrassed. I got embarrassed for a purpose!" So we asked $10 after $10...

Now we have 25 families buying 54 tomatoes from us. A total of $540. Plus all the matching, it multiplied to $4320. More than thousand people could be fed. Dying children could be taken care of. Heartbreaking parents could spare some tears. All out of this $4320. All out of our little tomatoes plant of our little patio. All out of a little brain of a little man. Above all, all out of Jesus our Saviour.

From one, it multiplied. And multiplied. Money multiplied. Love multiplied. They became the sources of joy and life of the poor and needy. Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it beautiful? Shouldn't we be filled with joys and thankfulness?

"The Tomatoes of Hope" started in July and accomplished on 9/11, not planned. But there is a divine conspiracy. One of love. One about 9/11.

Jesus loves the Muslims. He died for them as well. Now the most severely famine stricken area is in Somalia, a country of 100% Muslims. Literally no Christians at all. Even missionaries retreated because of highly possible life threat. None of them heard of Jesus' love for them. Now everyday thousands and thousands Muslims moved to Kenya and Ethiopia for help, two Christian countries. They might possibly receive the Living Bread and the Living Water and the eternal hope there. God loves the Muslims.

God loves the poor. Jesus identified himself with the poor and needy (Mat25:40). Anyone who loves unconditionally draws close to God. The God of love.

The world is filled with hatred and evil. Unfortunately 9/11 is not the first and won't be the last. If we choose hatred, self interest and focus on our differences, the world is Hell in advance.

But if we follow Jesus and choose love instead of hatred, choose loving others instead of securing our own interest, choose to celebrate our commonalities as human being instead of differences, goodness will then flow, kindness will be done, our image of the perfect God will shine forth. We won't be too far from His Kingdom.

These little tomatoes inspires. They teach us that we are never too little to extend a helping hand. Even an idea, based on love, aimed to help, consecrated to God, could mean life to many people. We are never too few to achieve something big as long as we have love. Because our God is the God of multiplication. And this God charged us to multiply. We just let as many people to involve in love actions as possible. Love then multiplied. And multiplied. God multiplies it.

So now how do you feel? This is my yesterday Scripture reading... This is our God. It might help you to act now and more.

"For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
FOR PRECIOUS IS THEIR BLOOD IN HIS SIGHT."(Psalms 72)

Canadian government will still match your donations to any major relief organizations before this Saturday (9/16). Let it multiplies. Let love multiplies.

Check this website for the famine and donations:http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/east-africa-famine-crisis-help-160515874.html

God loves a cheer giver. Just give with love.