Mishka, your goals sound excellent - and don't worry if you sometimes don't fully succeed! Just having them is good.
Jesus also tells us repeatedly to love our neighbour as ourselves. The bit to remember here is that to love others you have to love yourself as well. Many Christians think it is purely about self sacrifice. And yes, Christianity is about looking outside of ourselves, but we do have to love ourselves. You were bought with a great price remember.
Where did I get the idea that American were great givers of time, and money? Official stats on volunteering for one thing, personal experience for another. Many British charities look to the US as a model for how they structure, use, train and encourage vounteering. Sure there are selfish people everywhere.
My MIL has just come out of hospital in the US and I am amazed at the care of her community. I was fully prepared to go over and help out, but she appears to have everything she needs.
