The poor you will always have with you

"The poor you will always have with you…”



Never before have I been so gripped by the stories of Jesus and the disciples in reference to the poor, the crippled, the sick, the widows and orphans. Even though I haven’t yet arrived in Doro where the commonality of all of those things will increase, I am so touched by them in Nairobi and Malakal. The first few days in Nairobi I did not give anything to the beggars and crippled on roads and sidewalks. My thought process was that I did not want to contribute to misuse of funds and I considered that some of them might be working for people who extorted them. But each time I passed them, I felt worse. One afternoon I saw two women with misshapen feet about 50 feet from each other. I’m ashamed to say I walked past them both. That was the last time I did not give to the women begging. I purposed in my heart that afternoon to begin giving to those who ask, remembering Jesus saying that when we do it unto others, we are giving to Him.
That night in my personal study time I read in Luke where Jesus actually says….
“Give to everyone who begs of you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them…Be merciful even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:30-36
That day the first time I gave to a beggar it was a small package of food to a lady who is frequently seen near the largest dept/grocery store. I also shook her hand and greeted her as “Mama”, the greeting of respect for an older woman. She beamed. After that I gave a little money to each who asked of me, or I gave packages of peanuts to those who told me they are hungry. I encouraged the capable looking men to look for work when I gave to them. Most of the women begging did not speak English. I would have liked to sit down with a few of them to hear their stories.
I know that in some settings it would be unsafe to begin giving out money to those who ask, but when it seems safe to do, I am thrilled to give out of the abundance with which I have been blessed. I think too of the gift of salvation that is so much more valuable than money. I pray that God guides my words with everyone He brings across my path.