Is This the Same Kid

I've got an all points bulletin out for the kid I first met here when I arrived in the DR. His name is Paul and I seem to be missing him. There is a kid here living in this house that goes by Paul, looks like Paul, sounds like Paul, and sleeps in Paul's bed, but I'm pretty sure it's not Paul.

The Paul I met when I got here was allllll about Paul. His every waking thought seemed to be about Paul. And it almost drove me crazy.

But, this kid that lives in this house now and goes by the name "Paul" doesn't even remind me of the other kid. Here's the story.... (long and blah blah)

I started an "earn your allowance" program. Similar to a program my parents did when I was young; I give Marsil and Paul each $7.5 USD in dominations of 5 pesos coins (which is a total of 250 pesos; 50 coins), at the beginning of the week (a HUGE amount of money for a kid in the DR;which really concerned me). However, each time there is a violation of a house/family rule, or misbehavior, or something that needs correcting, I take away pesos. Mostly at 5 peso increments, but up to 20 pesos at a time, based on the issue. At the end of the week, whatever money they (Paul and Marsil) have left, that's their allowance for that week, and it starts over again every week. At the end of this past week, Paul and Marsil got their first payment. Paul earned 155 pesos (lost 95 pesos), out of a possible 250 pesos. Marsil's was 185 pesos (lost 65 pesos), out of a possible 250 pesos.

After I gave them the money last night, I gave them a long (and probably boring) talk about how God blesses. How he's blessed them. How God has blessed me. How I believe God calls me to help others, and blesses me (in many ways) even more when I do help. I challenged them to consider giving a part of their allowance to someone, and do it in God's name. It could be church, a person in need, anyone they felt needed encouraging. And, this was strickly optional; voluntary. It was not a requirement or a rule; it was suggestion to merely show how they recognized God's blessing and their desire to bless others, as God has them. And, through it all, they had smirks on their faces and half laughing (typical reactions of a 12 and 15 year old), but I got through the "talk" and let it go. Hoping they heard a little of it for future reference.

We then headed to the store 'cause the money is burning a hole in their pockets (like me at their age). And I'm expecting candy, and cartoon magazines, and junk for themselves, right?? That's what I would have done; that's that I DID do when I was their age. We get to the store, and Marsil, instead of junk, buys basically school supplies!!! And spends ALL his money. He did buy some candy, but it was for his brother!!! Okay, I'm confused. But not surprised, because it's Marsil and that's typical impressive Marsil. But, the story gets better....

Paul has been talking about a magazine he's wanted to buy. And has looked forward to buying it all week. Mentioning it to me several times; his plans to buy this Pokemon magazine. He goes to get it at the store; thumbs through it and then asks me a question. "Norm, I need your advice, would you buy this magazine if you were me?" Hard question! For one, cartoons were never my bag and I'm 43. 12 years old was a long time ago. I basically say all that, and tell him that I really think it needs to be his decision. He mills it over for like 5 minutes.

By now Marsil is getting anxious to leave the store; he has his stuff and is ready to head to the check out. Then, all the sudden, Paul puts down the magazine and goes over and gets a little plastic dump truck. Like a toy suitable for a 5 year old, not Paul. And out of ear shot, Marsil starts making fun of him. I immediately correct Marsil telling him it's VERY wrong of him to judge how Paul spends his money. It's Paul's money; he can spend it any way he likes. (this, all out of ear shot of Paul). I'm thinking to myself it's a bit childish, but it's truly Paul's choice. Paul does buy the truck. Marsil still snickers behind his back.

We pay for it all and head out of the store. As we're leaving, Paul asks me to pull close to the parking attendant, and Paul proceeds to give the attendant some change. The attendant gladly accepts the change. (I'm thinking, okay, this is Paul's way of giving back. A good start.) Then, we get to a street corner, and a lady is begging, and Paul then gives some of the candy that Marsil had given him, to the lady. Okay, I'm now impressed. And I'm thinking where did the old Paul go??? First the monopoly game (read early post), now this!

BUT then.... Paul asks for the phone number of our housekeeper, Nigrita. Keep in mind Nigrita is making like around $120 US per month; very poor. I tell him I doubt she has a phone; she's very poor. Not only a poor family but has a young son of about 5 years old. I begin to put the picture together (at least, so I think). But, before I do, Paul asks, "Norm, if I do something good, do I have to tell you??" I tell him, if he does it in secret for the right reasons, then no he doesn't have to tell me. But, if he does it in secret because he knows it not being who God wants, then that's not a good reason for a secret. He's quiet the rest of the way home. That was last night.

Fast forward 24 hours. Tonight, at "family time", I ask Paul if he's decided on any more ways of sharing, thinking about the dump truck and pretty sure (but not certain) he bought it for the housekeeper's son. (Still thinking I have him figured out!) He tells me he knows I know his plans. I ask him to tell me and Marsil his plans anyway.

Paul proceeds to tell me he did talk with the housekeeper this afternoon (while I was gone) and gave the dump truck to her, for her little boy (about 5 years old). Paul tells me that Nigrita shared with him that her son is not doing well in school and is having other problems.

Paul tells Nigrita that he'll make a deal with her son..... If her son's behavior improves, each week he (Paul) will buy her son a special gift!!! This is all coming from a 12 year old boy named Paul!!

Seriously I'm about to fall out of my chair as he's telling me this story. Rarely have I seen anything like it. And perhaps it's just a short lived jesture (I hope not), but it's one of the most incredible things I've seen from any 12 year old. I ask him, where in the world did he get the idea to help her son. And he tells me, "From you Norm. If we do good, we get our money at the end of the week; I'm doing the same for Nigrita's son".

I have to confess the tears start rolling down my eyes. I have no idea if this blog can even begin to describe the scene. But this boy of 12 is showing me and his brother Marsil how to give. Marsil is now speechless himself. He now realizes the dump truck he made fun of Paul for buying was NEVER for Paul! I turn to Marsil and ask him what he thinks about all this. I see something in Marsil's eyes I don't think I've seen before. His is truly truly proud of his brother. (speechless and proud, for once).

I tell them both how extremely proud I am of them and how they've grown so much in two short months. Paul, for this season, has literally changed his life (and a little of mine). The former whiny, apparently self centered little boy has vanished. In his place is this incredibly generous kid. Still only 12, with all the perks and problems, but perhaps one of the most generous kids I've ever met at 12 years old.

Instead of buying anything at the store for himself, he ends up only buying something for Nigrita's son. Touching this kid's life. And, offering to help him in the future.

So for all you prayer warriors out there that have lifted Paul up. Please know that God has answered your prayers. In perhaps one of the most dramatic changes I've ever seen.

I could freak out about wondering if it will last. If they'll be different when I'm gone. But, I'm going to rest in knowing it was God, NOT Norm, that blessed and changed Paul heart, and He is still on the throne and will prayerfully continue to change Paul's heart, and mine.