At a baby clinic <br />in Gondola <br />in Moçambique <br />is an angel <br />who is not an angel <br />but a mere human <br />who shames me <br />when I despair <br />of the human race <br />and all of us <br />who say, “What can one person do against/for the whole world? ” <br /> <br />Without wondering where the next donation is coming from <br />this young, pretty, married missionary <br />who could have an infinitely different life, <br />devotes herself <br />to every single Moçambiquan baby <br />or Zimbabwean baby from across the nearby border <br />who needs her <br />despite <br />despair, <br />disease, <br />superstition, <br />poverty, <br />ignorance, <br />malnourished babies, <br />and sparse supplies far away. <br /> <br />Some come from far away <br />leaving their homes on foot <br />at midnight <br />to reach the clinic <br />at daybreak <br />knowing <br />she <br />is there <br />and will help <br />in whatever way she can <br />with knowledge, <br />expertise, <br />kindness, <br />grace <br />and authenticity, <br />no games, <br />just the real deal. <br /> <br />She does what she does <br />as she says, <br />not because of <br />a theory <br />or a notion <br />or a religion <br />but <br />because of <br />the reality of the love of God. <br />She doesn’t preach compassion; <br />she doesn’t write poems about it; <br />she <br />IS <br />it <br />and she <br />acts upon it. <br /> <br />Her story is told <br />but what about <br />those whose are <br />not? <br />There are many, many thousands <br />like her <br />that we only hear about <br />by chance. <br /> <br />How dare I <br />bemoan <br />the state of humanity <br />until I have walked <br />a fraction <br />of a mile <br />in her <br />or their <br />moccasins? <br /> <br />(23 February 2009)<br /><br />Diana van den Berg<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/jackie-somebody-from-south-africa/
