We've just returned from our visit to Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa. 1 million souls call this place home. Ive witnessed poverty in several parts of the world but never seen anything like this.
As far as the eye can see there's nothing but shacks made of corrugated iron, wood and mud, open sewers and misery. Typically, people live 10 to a room without electricity, kitchens or toilets. Residents use "flying toilets", excreting into plastic bags and discarding them on the street. Everywhere you look rubbish is piled high.
Advocate Martyn Legg reflected,
"My heart is broken. I see a father, he cannot work therefore his children cannot eat... Have I in my absent way, endorsed the way that he must live?"
Back from our community visit we sat in the worship area at Kibera Church of God and examined our hearts. It was tempting to give in to hopelessness but we recalled what the children had sung to us earlier, "God will make a way".
Jesus told us, "the poor will always be with you. Therefore I command you, be openhanded towards the poor and needy in the land."
God reminded me that too often we think the little we can do is so small that we might as well not bother. Whats the point? What difference can I make? God is very clear. Think of the story of the feeding of the five thousand or the widow's mite. When we give what little we have but we do it in faith, God will perform miracles with it.
Clare (Compassion)
As far as the eye can see there's nothing but shacks made of corrugated iron, wood and mud, open sewers and misery. Typically, people live 10 to a room without electricity, kitchens or toilets. Residents use "flying toilets", excreting into plastic bags and discarding them on the street. Everywhere you look rubbish is piled high.
Advocate Martyn Legg reflected,
"My heart is broken. I see a father, he cannot work therefore his children cannot eat... Have I in my absent way, endorsed the way that he must live?"
Back from our community visit we sat in the worship area at Kibera Church of God and examined our hearts. It was tempting to give in to hopelessness but we recalled what the children had sung to us earlier, "God will make a way".
Jesus told us, "the poor will always be with you. Therefore I command you, be openhanded towards the poor and needy in the land."
God reminded me that too often we think the little we can do is so small that we might as well not bother. Whats the point? What difference can I make? God is very clear. Think of the story of the feeding of the five thousand or the widow's mite. When we give what little we have but we do it in faith, God will perform miracles with it.
Clare (Compassion)
