A Lesson Learned from Chapstick

A Lesson Learned from Chapstick In today’s society, many people believe we live in a “perfect little world”: people are fed, have a place to live, and necessities are guaranteed. Our fairytale thoughts won’t allow us believe that there are people rummaging through garbage cans looking for food scraps; that the homeless do live in beat-up cardboard boxes holding signs saying, “will work for food”; and our needs are not always fulfilled. What if everyday items, such as a telephone, toothpaste, soap, a car, would suddenly vanish from one’s ownership? The possessions we call necessities make up what others call luxuries, especially to those in McDowell County. Each summer our youth group raises money for twenty members to restore the damaged houses of McDowell County, located in southern West Virginia. Since a flood hit just months before our trip, we had almost three times as many houses to repair than last year. With our supplies packed in the rented Uhaul, truck and van, we began our eight-hour trip down to McDowell. At first, the concept of leaving behind our TVs, computers, waterbeds, and driving privileges is difficu

Before this year"tms Mission Trip, I took a lot of things for granted - especially the everyday items that no one pays attention to. Luckily, I managed to turn away before the wave crashed, engulfing my body into its sea. Erik was an African-American boy around the age of six. "My name"tms Erik," the child continued with his southern West Virginian accent. This was not just an ordinary chapstick; for, this was my pride and joy - a chubby stick that could coat my upper and lower lips with just one swipe, even with my mouth slightly open! Imagine taking that first bite into the pink cotton fluff on a white stick, known as cotton candy. Surely he can afford chapstick," I thought. Abandoned houses had shattered windows with weeds climbing up the sides. Litter covered the yards like a multicolored quilt. "Hey," said a gentle voice sitting on a five-foot mound of dirt. lt, but then we think to ourselves, "We"tmre only be gone for six days"they"tmll still be here when we come back. At that moment, I thought of all the times I threw temper-tantrums, because I wasn"tmt allowed to get the Nike shoes I wanted for volleyball, or the ruby necklace to match my prom dress, or my own car. " Our first day at the work site, I noticed some children playing in the distance. "Oh"" Just as we were about to continue our game of basketball, he replied, ""can I have it"" Erik"tms pure and innocent eyes overwhelmed me as he asked.