Poverty... More than a word.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about poverty lately... I'm living in a place where I certainly can't distract myself from it, so I guess it makes sense... I think that over the past 5 months, I've been discouraged at times at the enormity of the issue. I am reading a book right now that I am just in the beginning of, but I believe is going to help me get to the heart of the issue. It's called "When Helping Hurts" By Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.

So far, it has challenged me about my faith. It shares how Jesus came to the world to save us from our sins, and reconcile us to God- Yes. But there's more- He came because he needed to reconcile a fallen world... He came because there were the poor, brokenhearted, widows, orphans, sick, etc. who needed healing.
It doesn't take long to recognize that our world is fallen when you are living in the third world... To be honest, many see life in third world countries and ask- How can there be a God?
I, however, see it differently, I see the hurting around me and ask- How can there NOT be a God? See- this world on it's own, with no good news- would be torture. There would be no secure relief from suffering, there would be no healing, our hope in people would fail us, joy would simply be happiness- which would be circumstantial, and, well, here- there is very little circumstantial happiness- and people relying on themselves certainly fail one another.

When we rely on God, and His promises, however- a beautiful thing occurs that no circumstances can stifle...

Yesterday, I was privileged to go on a home visit to two of my ladies. One of them was very profound. I drove my Rwandese manager, Charlotte, and myself out to the village, and we were welcomed into the home of one of my ladies. She lives in a 6x8 room. No window, just a door opening. The roof is corrugated tin with holes in it from previous use of nail holes. While it was nice to let in some extra light, I could only imagine the frustration when the skies opened up in rain...
 When you entered the room, to the left was a twin mattress up on cinder blocks. She had a needle and thread pinned in the wall, toothbrushes wedges in a crack, a few pots and pans on the floor, and a few bags tacked to the wall which held her clothes.

We sat on the bed and she went outside to prepare a welcome meal. When she returned, she lifted the mattress and retrieved soap from the cinder block hole for us to wash our hands, we shared potatoes, plantain, fish, and fanta. It was a feast that likely cost her much... yet, this is the way...

She sleeps on the mattress with a girl she took in off the street. She showed me a grass mat that she sleeps on in the doorway, on the floor when she is able to host someone for the evening... Charlotte shared with me that many nights, she doesn't sleep, rather, she goes outside and prays all evening.

While this woman has LITTLE material blessings, and is living in poverty- this woman is evidence of God existing. If you could have been huddled in that room with me, you would not have been able to deny the presence of the Holy Spirit- of hope. See, Jesus was smart. He knew that he could only minister so far by being here on earth himself, so rather, he sacrificed himself for our sins, and gave us His Holy Spirit to live in those of us who'd accept it. This Spirit of God is in this 6x8 dwelling, due to the grace of God. While she lives in poverty- she has HOPE. She lives with Joy, and expectation- knowing her years here are temporary.

I think sometimes, that as Americans, we place so much value in things, and people- in what will not last, that we fail to rely on the Holy Spirit to bring us peace. I know I can trace my times of frustration, doubt, or anxiety to this as the root. Without Christ- we all have a poverty. One that this dear, sweet woman whom I am privileged to know- does not have to experience.

I don't wish for her life. I am humbled to say, I don't think I am strong enough. Yet, God meets her. As I type, I tear because I hear her singing coming from the kitchen of the shop... She knows where her hope is found...

We can have generous hearts and give all the material things we have to a world in need... But that would just band-aid the symptoms. This is a world that is longing for Hope- for Joy- for knowledge- for purpose... For Jesus. I thank Him that He has given me the opportunity to see more of His world in my time here. To see that what I have known, and based my reality and faith on in my 30 years- has been very small. God is not a God of circumstances. He sees a bigger picture. I believe He wants to work in us and through us to teach, to encourage, to pray, and to heal a world that is broken, that is in need. He's using this lady here in Rwanda, as well as many others despite their lack of material things. It's bigger than that. Poverty is not just about things- it's reminding people of their worth and ability in our Savior.

Keep praying, keep questioning, I know I will be... God has MUCH He longs to do through those of us who are willing... But it may not be in the way we think...

God Bless you all. Thanks for reading my thought journey, and your continued support and prayers.

Water...

Thinking back, I realize, I knew better- yet still the moment was profound. See, in Africa, water isn't as abundant as it is in America. Clean water, is a whole other story...
Most of you know this as well. But since the home I live in, and the shop I work at have water tanks (see left), it didn't affect me very much, so naturally, I didn't think about it very much... (Isn't that the sad reality for much of life...) Until one day, maybe my second month here, I went to wash my hands, and.... nothing. "Charlotte!" I called, "There's no water!"
"Yes." She calmly replied.
I looked at her blankly. She looked back at me.
"Is this normal?" I asked.
"Yes, well, sometimes," was her response.
She added- "In America, do you always have water?"
I stopped. Speechless. "Well yes," I replied- feeling somewhat foolish and guilty.
"Hm, not here," she said.

 Well, the good news is, (or the convenient for me news is) that the water tank, often still has water, even if it isn't coming from the faucets- we can get it outside. So, again, I lived my life seeing many others with a different reality, yet conveniently unaffected...

This is, until this past week. Three days ago the water stopped at the shop. And didn't come back. Yesterday, Charlotte called to have me bring water from home. I filled Jerry cans and was thankful to have a car to load them in- because for many- their day is lugging water....

And then I think again, how this water, which I either filter, boil, or bleach in order to keep me healthy, is the same water many struggle to get... and drink straight from the can... perpetuating illness...

When I get home, I am pretty certain that it won't take long for me to take hot water out of the faucet for granted... being able to drink water from the tap... or having a day free of the thought of how to get water, or ration water... expecting to have power every night... but at the same time, I hope I don't forget.  I hope I don't forget that I don't have to pray my students aren't forced to leave school to stay at home and provide the family with these basic needs... I hope I don't forget that there are so many who would be amazed by the convenience of a washer/dryer, or a dishwasher...

I hope I don't forget that on the rare occasion when these inconveniences do occur at home, that my life doesn't need to grow sour... The cheer in my ladies voices, the singing, the work ethic, despite challenges EVERY DAY, are truly awe-inspiring... They remind me that it's a time to help a neighbor, reach out to the community, grow together.

 I've seen this recently on facebook as people in my home state are struggling after a storm. Yet, among the posts, I see friends reaching out, offering their extra bedroom, a warm shower... businesses are opening doors for people... needs are being met. It makes me smile.

In the community I live in now, that is daily life...

In America... we have SO much. We truly are privileged- and I am grateful. I also pray, however, we remember humanity. We don't forget that the conveniences that have become expected (faucets, electricity, heat, air conditioning) aren't the norm... There are many people who face every day struggling for these basic needs.

I pray I remember that my neighbor is beyond the next house over...

I am grateful I have had the opportunity to come to this country of Rwanda twice now. The first time many of these photos were taken by my friend Leah Curran (http://www.unveilingphotography.com)