I witnessed poverty when I was invited to visit a mission field in the Dominican Republic about 10 years ago. This has affected me emotionally and spiritually ever since. Not being able to speak Spanish, my contacts were by smiling and a wave. One case still stands out in my mind. A very happy young man in his early twenties, paralyzed from the waist down, used to pass by in his wheel-chair (donated by an organization in Ottawa) of which he was very proud. Each day he passed by on the way to his jewellery-making class, we used to wave and smile. We both looked forward to our daily contact. One day he didn't pass and I went to his "home", a crude shack made of used lumber, big enough for just a bed on a dirt floor. On inquiring I found out that he had had both legs removed because of ugly ulcerated sores on them. The sores were caused by rats eating his legs while he was asleep.

Prayer: Lord God, if that young man could be so happy, with all his problems, how much more should I be able to thank You for my life, for my country, and for all my blessings. Thank You! In Jesus' name. Amen.

My experience with war occurred in the Second World War. I was a pilot and when I got my wings I was so proud and anxious to get overseas to do my part. After hearing of all the devastation being caused in Britain I was quite bitter. My plan was changed and I was posted to a service flying training school to train pilots to do the work I thought I was to do. I loved to fly and flew about 2000 hours training pilots. I thought some day I would get my chance.

I would be quite disturbed when I heard that friends I had graduated with and students I had trained were killed or missing in action. It bothers me to think that I was training young men to kill people and that I was anxious to do the same.

These situations are still going on around the world. I feel badly that we haven't improved over the years.

Prayer: Lord, God, I ask for forgiveness for my thoughts and actions of the past. I pray that we as a people will see that we haven't done too well on our own and that we will turn to You for help. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – (1 John 1:9)