During the summer of 1992 My wife Diane and went to the Middle East. It was our thought that we might become missionaries overseas and we decided to take a test run as "tourists". We went with an organization that was familiar to us and planned to be away for three weeks. It was a great experience and a challenge for us as individuals and as a couple. We were in a large city and one of the nights Diane and I stayed late at a friends apartment. It was on one end of the city and our apartment was at the other end. Sometime after midnight we were able to get a taxi and headed back. Once we got back to our place it was customary to add a tip to the fair and I gave what I had which was an extra five dollars in my pocket. I handed the fair to the driver with the five and he was ecstatic. Speaking with excited joy, the driver with his broken English wanted to take us out for drinks and food to celebrate the wonderful tip I gave him. What I didn't understand at that moment was the five dollars equaled about five months of pay. Back home Diane and I had part time jobs, a single car, rented an apartment, and I was still going through college. the five dollars would have bought a McDonald's meal in America. For the taxi driver it was worth much more.

This year I have family that are planning on going overseas to work in an orphanage and other projects in Africa. Part of going on a trip like that is to raise funds to cover the costs and help who you are going to help. I wanted to give what I had so reached into my pocket and I had my artwork. My desire was to sell some art and use part of the proceeds to help fund the trip. I realize I can be creative in making paintings as well as helping others who are in need. I just had to reach into my pocket.

By My Own Hands

Five in my Pocket