Faces and Names of Poverty

When we are sitting in the comfort of our home back in Canada we can turn the t.v or radio station off or switch the channel if we see or hear something that makes us uncomfortable. Within a few seconds all is forgotten. Here in El Salvador, that is impossible. Poverty now has a name and a face. A single mom who has 4 children to provide for. She sells snacks and asks people if she can wash their clothes to get enough to try to feed her children. A husband and father of two girls who lost his arm when he was 8 years old falling of a horse.  He now farms corn and beans on the side of a mountain. Something we would struggle to do with two arms. These are a few of the stories we heard today when we met the families who will receive their new homes. Now poverty has a name and a face. This is not something we can shut off or ignore.

In 1John it speaks about the poor and our responsibility as believers to those who are in need. It actually uses very strong words.

1 John 3:17-19

17 What if a person has enough money to live on and sees his brother in need of food and clothing? If he does not help him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. 19 This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him.

I pray that as we work alongside the families this week their stories will burn in our memory and that God's words will continue to convict us to help our brother in need.