TINA - This is Not America

A common reminder on mission trips is TINA - - -to catch folks who are about to act like ugly Americans. I nearly fell into that trap this afternoon. As I left Kaffatir (Icelandic version of Starbucks), a young mother rolled a carriage up to the side entrance. She took a baby monitor from her purse, placed it in the carriage and LEFT THE BABY OUTSIDE. Its 45 degrees and the sun is close to setting.

I quickly looked online to find out how to report an abandoned baby when I found this shocking article. It seems that Icelandic babies are commonly left outside of restaurants, shopping and coffee shops. Maybe it does make children more cold hearty. As a mother, I am still shocked. This is the first time I have seen something horrifying in this otherwise lovely, gracious nation.