When we received Jaw Cree into our home he was so swollen and malnourished. He comes from a family living deep in the jungles of Northern Thailand, so poor they can not feed their three children properly. These very young parents had three children before they were 20 and before JawCree was five he was in charge of taking care of his two younger brothers while his parents worked all day. He came to our children’s home because his father unselfishly saw this was no life for a little boy and wanted better for him though it has meant great sacrifice for this family. Now Jaw Cree is going to school, has plenty to eat, new clothes and the chance to be a little boy, something he never would have had in his home. He is now a healthy, strong and growing and has become one of my great joys. He is beautiful and his heart continually teaches me about true giving and unselfish love.
One day I came to the home and Jaw Cree ran up to me and said in perfect English “I miss you!” and gave me a big hug. I was so touched – he had been practicing all afternoon the English words- I immediately opened my purse and gave him all my change – 50 cents in all. This is not much to me and not much to you but to JawCree I just gave him a thousand dollars. This is a little boy who knows more about starvation than about having money to buy treats. Later he came to me and said his friend David didn’t have any money and could he give him some of his? I said sure and watched with a lump in my throat as Jaw Cree gave this other little boy half his money. Half! I couldn’t believe it. And happily they ran off to buy some treats for the afternoon.
The next day he was looking for our dog who is very spoiled by the way. He had saved his milk from school to give to Cookie who loves milk. I sat him on my lap and said “Jaw Cree I want you to drink your milk” and he said “I want Cookie to be big BIG!” And I said “But I want JawCree to be big BIG!” but I saw he was going to be so disappointed if he couldn’t give his milk to Cookie so he did and they both were happy.
The years of caring for his little brothers have made Jaw Cree a little dad at 7 years old. He takes care of all the little children at the home who are all older than him. He will not eat something without sharing, he will not receive anything without making sure everyone has one and is okay. I pray for this little one as he sits often on my lap and tells me he loves me. I pray for Him that he mayknow God because if he doesn’t he will try to carry the world on his little shoulders and the burden of taking care of everyone will be too much for him. But I also know he will always be blessed because he hasn’t a selfish bone in his body and gives not out of his abundance like I often do, but out of his need. One day I came in and he said he needed money to buy a treat so of course I gave him a little and he went and bought – not something for himself but a he bought for me my favorite lemon shake. He kept nothing for himself. I cried as I kissed him and thanked him. I came here to Thailand to teach but everyday I learn. Jaw Cree has taught me and touched my heart the way we must touch God’s when we give so freely and unselfishly to others and to Him.
