The most powerful thing you can do to change the world, is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality, to something more positive......and begin to act accordingly.
I have two beautiful daughters, who have been blessed all their lives with having pretty, much everything that a child wants, not necessarily needs, had the latest gadgets, the latest fashion trends, cell phones as soon as we would allow it, cars when they reached "the age" of road rage............ but I also have two "sons" , two young boys, who through no fault of their own have been left to fend for themselves in life, boys whose lives have been altered beyond anything you can imagine because of HIV/Aids. Children who had to go to school hungry, because there was nothing to eat, when my children told me there was nothing to eat, they meant no chips, sweets and chocolates, but these children have nothing to eat........
I think I would not find it so heart wrenching if there was one or two because then you know you could help them, but when you go into the area's where they live, there are 100's so much so that you have to harden your heart, and concentrate on just the few that you are helping, because it is no use helping if you cannot do it on an ongoing basis so you help who and how you can.
And my head tells me there are a million reasons why their parents put them in this situation, some of them beyond their control I understand that......... but if you cannot feed one child then why have two, three, four, five, six children .................... and I realise that to them it is the children that are their wealth........ possessions mean nothing........... only the number of children............. and if not for them how would we fulfill our obligation as Christians to feed the poor, look after the orphans and widows............
One of the full time employees of Indawo Yosizo was at a "shack" the other day, and that is really what it is pieces of metal out together to form some type of protection from the elements, 6 people living there with one mattress a young baby with no nappies, and no food in the house, the congregation came to their rescue with household goods, clothes, blankets but this is one of many...........
At least these two boys I know will always have something to eat...... provided they go to school...... I know that care givers will call and them and make sure they are okay...... but what about the others.........
Siphiwe Mlotshwa 10 years old
Malinga Xolani 14 years old
That tore at my heart strings...thank the Lord for the kindness of people like you and the churches in all the world that try so hard to help. There is scripture that says: "when you do it unto the least of these, my brethren, you do it unto me". We really have no need to complain about life do we?
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking! There's one particular person in my house who is often saying "There's no food." Because there's no tempting food just at that moment. It does my head in.
ReplyDeleteI hope your boys make it to school every days and get food. What happens in school holidays?
it is heart wrenching Karen. I couldn't think of anything to say... but like the saying goes- we need to begin at some point and probably that way we can reach out to large numbers... i hope it comes true in this case. it will happen, i am sure.
ReplyDeleteSchool holidays are often a problem, some of the children just live too far and have to do without.
ReplyDeleteWow. I live in such a sheltered corner of the world. I've never known poverty - I don't know that I've ever SEEN it - certainly not like anything you've described!
ReplyDeleteMy "feeding the hungry" is making sure I help stock the food shelves in my town, and helping those who are low-income that are in my ministry (but certainly NOTHING as extreme as you've described - more like families who cannot make their mortgage or utilities payments because of lost jobs or husbands called into the military or a medical emergency). We also give to charities...but I've never done anything hands-on, because I've never been in that environment. I guess we all have our areas that we are called to. I'm certainly blessed to read this post! What a wonderful thing you're called to, Karen!