RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Sam Sparks on the right and his son Bobby standing in one of their sugar cane fields back in 1988.

Every time we cross the international bridge into Nuevo Progreso, we remember the owner of the bridge - Sam Sparks - who passed away in 2011. Sam was frequently at the bridge where he would sit and chat with tourists. Sometimes when he would see someone he knew, he would wave them across the bridge for free.  And every year he gave us and other missionaries with credentials a free pass we could use every time we crossed into Mexico.

Having the free pass not only saves us $3.00 a trip, it’s a warm reminder of the generous man who did so much for the people on both sides of the Rio Grande River.  It gives us a boost to think that we are joining in a small way with the Sparks family as they continue to practice Mr. Sparks’ favorite saying - “Practice Ramdom Acts of Kindness.”

There are many ways we can all practice these random acts of kindness.  Acts that are done without expecting something in return, acts that are sometimes done without recognition.  Some people call this “paying it forward.”  But that phrase sounds like we’re expecting a reward for our deed.  The example Mr. Sparks left us is simple.  Once in a while do something kind for someone without having any reason at all.

Tuesday when we stopped at the Nuevo Progreso bridge office to pick up our bridge pass for 2017, we had opportunity to visit with the next generation in the Sparks family - Bobby.  He also enjoys visiting with people at the bridge.  But most of the time he and the rest of the family run a huge ranch near Mercedes where they raise registered Black Angus, Brangus and Brahman cattle and where they raise sugar cane, cotton, corn, grain sorghum and soybeans.  Bobby Sparks told us there are now four generations to carry Sparks Family values into the future.

Thank you, Sparks Family, for allowing us free passage on your bridge!

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”
Psalm 37:3 KJV