The Greatest Gift for Your Child

We all want to give our children gifts because we want them to have the very best. After all, they are our flesh and blood and we love them more than anything. When it comes to giving them great gifts, some of us think of toys, games, iPods, cell phones, money, etc. This is probably because we know it is what they want, and we know it will make them happy....for a while. Others may think a bit deeper and practical and say a savings account for college, a vehicle or a special family heirloom.

There are a number of wonderful and valuable gifts we can give our children. What is valuable to one person may not be to another, so it is very personal and unique to the individual. We would all likely answer quite differently, and our answers would probably be based on the wants and needs of our own children. We know them best, so we know what they want.This has always been an easy question for me. Yesterday I would have answered this question with something along the lines of spiritual thinking and reasoning. Today I would answer somewhat differently. Do not get me wrong, I would still speak in spiritual terms. I would, however, add one precious piece that is very brand new to me. It is something I learned just yesterday simply by viewing a DVD from my sister.

Every young person should experience what my 17-year old nephew, Daniel, did last month. He spent seven days in Haiti on a missionary trip with a few men from his church, with no access to his family and friends and very far from home. Why would he want to go to one of the poorest countries in the nation, you might ask? He did not go because of peer pressure, fun and pleasure or anything of the sort. He went solely based on faith, as he simply felt called to do so.

I watched in amazement at the DVD as it demonstrated what they did in Haiti and why. These men were there on a mission, to build a church and school for those who desperately needed it. Haiti is ridden with AIDS, various other diseases and destruction from disasters. The life expectancy is only around 50-55 years old. While viewing the DVD, I saw some of the poorest children I had ever seen. I also saw some of the most devoted, caring and selfless men.

There is no greater gift than a real-life and up-close experience such as this. We live in a microwave, spoiled and demanding society that is rich beyond measure. The trip to Haiti changed Daniel's life forever, and for the better. He will always appreciate what he has more than he would if he had not taken part in this project. It is a gift for life that he will forever cherish.After getting a taste of what he experienced, I want my sons to have the same life-changing experience. I want to give my children the greatest gift I could possibly give them, the gift of life.