SMI is my first experience in the USA. Getting to know another culture has been quite interesting.
I am from Albania, a small country in Southeastern Europe which is progressing quickly. There, almost every day you will notice that something has changed; new trees planted, new buildings, new shopping malls – making the capital of Albania colorful and lively. People there can give you as much time as you want; they are peaceful, lovely, welcoming – but they don’t smile or greet when you walk by.
The young generation is energetic, exploring music, art, sports – trying to find themselves depending on their God-given talents. Almost all of them have a big interest in education and are thirsty for wisdom – but few have found the true fountain of it.
In North Philly reality is different; the youth is facing other challenges.
Since I was a child I was taught to avoid places where people use drugs, not to pass by these people, and to avoid the streets they frequent. And now here I am in North Philly going out every day in these places, praying that these people could stop for a moment, and spend 10 min of their life with me talking about health and healthy lifestyles, and about the Savior from all sins of all times.
In the days before the outreach, I had been thinking about this unique experience, and how to make it as best as possible, how to best serve these people without thinking about who they are or what their lifestyle is. I had been avoiding even looking at drug addicts, and now I was supposed to touch, speak and pray with these people… I felt that I still was not ready and something was missing.
God reminded me… of His love.
Outreach in North Philly is a good work for the community, I was giving my time in a place that was not the best for sure, I was walking in the highest temperatures of the summer in the middle of the day… but still I felt that my service was not complete.
A dear friend of mine once said: to love somebody means to accept a person as they are, with their sin – and if possible, help them. To love somebody means to love them as they are.
SMI helped me learn how to love a sinner. Our human nature is judgmental, like a Pharisee: it chooses whom to love and whom not, it just returns love received.
Christ taught me how to be the first who gives love without expecting it to be given back. He made us fountains of love – if only we knew how to use it. SMI made me a better Christian.
All of these thoughts probably have not changed anything in my practice of greeting people and in offering medical service – but they changed my heart’s attitude.
Most of these people don’t even bother to look at me, or are even so confused that they will not remember at all if I was polite, kind or that I cared for them. But still I will gladly listen to them, I will touch them with love, and I wish the best for them – having a great desire to see them as sons of the Lord, praying with all of my heart that this may come true.
In North Philly I have met kind people, who appreciate what we are doing, and I have not felt at risk at anytime.
Here people greet when you walk in the street, and smile at you.
SMI has been the best experience of the summer of 2016 for me.
Vinjola Tare