Poverty in one country such as America (in 2011, $22,350 for a family of four) would translate to middle class or higher in many other countries in the world, Haiti being the most notable example (Some 55% of Haiti’s 9 million people live below the poverty line of US$1 a day.) and others such as, for example, Nicaragua with a per capita income of a little over $1126 and listed as the second most poverty stricken country in the neighborhood of Western Hemisphere nations. So what can be done? Nothing? Some will argue that we in America should take care of its own needs first and they cite examples of malnourished children, prohibitively high medical costs, unacceptably high unemployment. While some of these problems may exist, on balance there is nothing even near the poverty level of most third world countries. There, there is no safety net.
Someone has said that poverty in America means you only have one cable connected television set but not in HD. Judging from the epidemic level of obesity, apparently in this country one would be hard pressed to find extreme instances of malnourishment except in rare criminal cases. Most poverty classified families – some througfh no fault of their own unfortunately – have social services provided by the government: Aid to Dependent Children, Supplemental Nutritional Food Assistance (Food Stamps), Earned Income Tax Credit, Health Insurance for Children, Head Start, Legal Assistance, Unemployment Benefits-up to 99 weeks currently, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, Telephone Assistance Program and literally scores of others. Because of these services, it is no wonder that migrants from neighboring countries are willing to risk even life itself to cross the border illegally to the Land of Plenty by comparison to their native country. Having stated that,
there are real, not academic pockets of poverty in nearby countries such as Nicaragua. People do actually suffer and even die because of needs unmet. So for those Americans who are sensitive to their needs, what can they do?
I was privileged to listen to a recent local “missionary” volunteer recount his experiences in this Central American country. Of course he shares his willingness to serve with many others who have and who continue regularly to make these mission trip annually. Several area churches have been heavily involved in these trips at their members’ own expense, have gathered teams of professionals and others for specific tasks overseas, have solicited and gathered untold quantities of goods including expensive medicines that in some cases has been transported to the site courtesy of transportation agencies and airlines. But why would anyone volunteer to risk in some cases his safety and health, to take leave of his/her family, job and other obligations to travel to a third world location to an unimaginable world of poverty and depravation?
The ‘missionary’ speaking to me is a well educated professional with a enviable medical practice, he has all the trappings of success, a loving family whose children have achieved note’worthy success on their own, impressive residential holdings including beach property, S-class transportation, is an elected official who has served his community politically for several years, a leader in his church and one respected by his professional peers. In other words, he has it all at least in the eyes of most people yet not quite everything it seems.
Reared in a family with religious underpinnings, he has not forgotten what is really important. While he would admit to falling short of perfection and in reviewing his life, he would admit to mistakes and regrets; still he has never lost the calling of service to others through his profession and because of his acceptance of his church’s teachings: Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.”
Traveling with a team of like-minded friends, the group flew to their destination, were housed in the community compound and for several days worked to provide medical (and veterinary) and practical construction services to several hundred underserved residents from nearby villages.
While their facilities were limited and the medical procedures were restricted; still the services provided made a difference and through these efforts, the group was able to provide biblical teachings through group worship services.
As in many cases, the ones who benefited the most were those who came to serve but it turned out they themselves ended up being the ones most served.
Luke 9:48: Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.”
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Bill Lee
PO Box 128
Hamer, SC 29547
