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The Baker Family

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Hello Friends, I worked very hard to come into contact with a family in Gaza, currently displaced to the south in Rafah. It is a family called the Bakers, and they have 2 small children 3 and 4 years old, and one on the way. I found them because I contacted an artist who works in the camps in Rafah providing drawing classes for children stuck in the camps. He had no children but gave me a family who was in need of help.

Over the last two months we have tried to find a way to get money to them, they were unable to receive most of what I sent them due to the war there is a lack of cash and communication between financial institutions.

Western Union has finally worked, the husband, Taha, had to take a $50 cab to Deir al Balah to collect the money. I've sent them about $800so far. They spend $10-15 daily for food, and in addition to that they need clothing, rental home ($600/month) because his wife is 8 months pregnant and needs a bathroom, and other supplies to get by.

I have decided to send them $200 a month. It is a lot for me, but it means I can sleep at night. I literally couldn't sleep until I finally was able to reach a family and do something. I have felt so powerless, this gives me a tiny piece of power back and I feel it has made me more positive.

Many of you identify with Christ's message, and although all religions share this same belief -   Christ's message was perhaps the clearest Matthew 19:24 "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God" This statement is totally ignored in our society, and our attachment to money is our strongest attachment of all, sadly enough. The message is not to shame us - Christ was stating a simple truth. IF you have an attachment to wealth you have not yet reached a spiritual evolution that will take you beyond earth and to paradise. In the words of my Jewish friend, and musician and poet - Justin Rubenstein - wrote:
This sinking ship
All rusted brown
It leans for land
Desperate not to drown
Oh, our machines
Will come and go
They'll bow with age
Even as they grow

And oh, my son
When you get old
I hope your heart is light enough for you to float
And oh, my son
When you get old
I hope your heart is light enough for you to float

Uncork the wine
We’ll draw it in
You cut the line
We'll spread them thin
Oh how our dreams
Will come and go
Most much too fast
Some far too slow

And oh, my son
When you get old
I hope your heart is light enough for you to float
And oh, my son
When you get old
I hope your heart is light enough for you to float

I understand the necessity for us all to have what we need out of life, but also I believe we have to look at what excess we have. It is something you know I struggle with too. I hope when we all get old our hearts are light enough that we may float. That is my hope for myself and the people I love (you).

This is Buddha's message and Christ's message - that we will make our greatest effort in our lifetimes for our own liberation, and those of others. That we will grow rich and wealthy with love and connection rather than with money, and understand that all of this life was meant to be an experience to be had, not possessed.

If you would consider donating to the Baker's fund I would be grateful, literally anything helps. It costs money to survive, the more money they have the more likely it is they will survive.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $200
    • 8 hrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20
    • 5 mos
  • Diana Elizalde
    • $100
    • 5 mos
  • Dolly Voeten
    • $100
    • 5 mos
  • Stefanie Baert
    • $75
    • 6 mos
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Organizer

katherine Smith-DeBock
Organizer
Nashville, TN

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