In Case You'd Forgotten...
In case you've become too comfortable with living in a third world
country...
In case you had found it easy to live in northern Uganda where very few US
dollars can still afford you a very affluent lifestyle in comparison to the
majority of the population.
In case you'd forgotten that the country you are in has only recently come
out of a 20 year war led by a mad man by the name of Joseph Kony...
These were the thoughts that went through my mind a few days ago when I
heard. You see my team is very fortunate in the big scheme of things. Though in
America we are college-aged students living on tight budgets, in Uganda we do
pretty ok. You see I can eat all three meals in a day for less than $2.00. I
can eat good food that includes flavor and protein, meat and veggies for less
than $5.00. Even in Lira, Uganda, I have running water. I have a shower. I have
a bed. And I have a mosquito net. So basically, though I am living with minimal
comforts in comparison to my American lifestyle, I have got it pretty good here
in this third world country.
Because of that, it is easy for me to become comfortable. It is easy for me
to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and play with street children and orphans
because my biggest concern in a day is whether or not I remembered to take my
malaria preventative. Oh yeah, that reminds me, another one of the luxuries I
can afford because of my American affluence is that I am able to buy and take
malaria preventative in the form of an inexpensive antibiotic.
In case you'd forgotten that you are in a world that needs more help than
you can provide...
A young boy at the age of thirteen was killed a few days ago when he
stepped on a landmine left behind by the Lords Resistance Army not even a mile
from where I am living. In fact, I heard the explosion. It sounded a little
like a car backfiring from where I was sitting in my bed in my room. I did not
know this boy. I know a child who was friends with him, but I had never met
him. I don't know his story. I don't know his parents. And I can't imagine the
hurt that his family must be going through.
In case you'd forgotten that you are in a world that needs more help than
you can provide...
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they
may have life and have it abundantly." -John 10:10
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In
the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world." -John 16:33
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their
tongue is parched with thrist, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel
will not forsake them." -Isaiah 41:17
"Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break
every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless
poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide
yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before
you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard...If you pour yourself out
for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light
rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide
you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones
strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose
waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many
generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of
streets to dwell in." -Isaiah 58:6-12
