Paul charged Timothy: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (I Tim. 4:12 NKJV). A parallel to this passage is Midline Maxius, a young lady in Haiti, who has been one of the “Hope For Haiti’s Children” for the past 12 years. Midline’s father and mother were too poor to care for her, resulting in Midline being raised at one of the orphan care centers supported by the brethren in that land.
Midline’s challenging example began when she was 11 years old. As children are admitted into the child care center, they are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Midline’s response at age 11 was to be a doctor and care for the sick in her country. The amazing thing is the fact that 12 years later, Midline’s response is still the same!
Midline’s response has been coupled with some dedicated effort, clear thinking, and applied skills. She has been a diligent student, moral standard setter, and was baptized into Christ at the Delmas Church of Christ in Port-au-Prince. During her final year of secondary school, Midline passed the national exam for “Philo,” enabling her to apply (along with 11,000 other applicants), to attend the University of the Aristide Foundation Medical School. That university carefully screens and examines the academic records and character references, annually offering scholarships to 140 low-income student. Of the 11,000 applicants, Midline was one of the 140 selected to receive a scholarship into that Medical University.
What an example she has been! 1. She came from a good, but poor, family that was unable to care for her over the past 12 years (she has 3 other sisters). 2. She lifted up her eyes at age 11, determining to give her life to helping others. 3. She has maintained that goal for the past 12 years (while facing an environment that supplied many limitations and discouragements). 4. Though she was limited in her time with her mother and father, she passed through those teenage years, doing her work and keeping her conduct and character in a pattern of purity. 5. Her skills and success have set a standard that instills hope in the hearts and heads of many other Young People, who exist in a poverty-stricken environment!
This article is accompanied with a prayer, hoping the Young People of this congregation will read the article, setting some goals and seeking to be like Timothy and Midline! If you know these things, happy—blest—will you be, if You do them (John 13:17).