Chapter 12 - Page 164 - Village Goes To Work

   One woman sitting some distance behind Jim said, “I would like to share with others, but I don’t have anything to share.”

   Jim turned to face the woman. He could tell she was sincere. “Are you busy every minute of every day?” he asked.

   The woman looked confused. “No,” she said. “I don’t have a job. I get bored because I don’t have anything to do.”

   Jim smiled at her. “Then you have plenty to share.”

   The woman looked thoughtful. “All I have is what you gave me. What could I possibly share with other people?”

   Jim answered her in a gentle voice. “Your time.”

   Everyone listened intently to the conversation.

   “I would like to share my time, but what could I do?” she asked.

Jim walked over to the woman and knelt down beside her. He looked into her warm black eyes. She was a young woman and appeared to be in good health. “Sweetheart,” he said, “the patients in the hospital love to have people come talk to them. They feel all alone in the world and helpless.”

   Jim stood up and walked to another table where six people sat. “The cooks need help,” he said. “There are dishes to wash and tables to clean.” He walked to another table occupied by three black men. “The grass needs to be mowed and buildings need repair.” He walked to a table where four children sat watching, and placed a hand on two of the children’s shoulders. “We have an orphanage now,” Jim said, “and these children need special attention. They need people to care about them.”