Whenever I read a story about the poor, they are typically abused over and over. Some of this is intentional, some of it not. But the very fact that the poor are poor, puts them in danger of being mistreated by the world's system on a regular basis.
This reminds me of one of the first little girls I met in Africa. Unfortunately, her story is more common than not. Her father had disappeared, leaving her mother to care for all 5 children alone. Naturally, the father was the breadwinner of the family, so the mother was left unskilled and unable to provide for the family. They were already poor, now they were poor and hungry.They were also treated as cursed people in the community - because their mother soon became sick.
The children watched as the HIV virus turn into to full-blown AIDS in their mother's body right before their eyes. It wasn't long until the children were now starving, and a few people would drop food by every now and then. But it wasn't enough. Then men started coming by, raping the children and leaving a loaf of bread as 'payment.' This little girl had been raped so severely, she had lost control of her bladder. That's injustice and the Bible screams for justice.
Can you see how evil is perpetuated on those who are poor again and again? The story is all too familiar. You can read another story similar to this one about a girl named Regina is Mozambique HERE.
This is why we must be engaged and why we have to help. It is the heart of Jesus and it is "pure religion." And it's what the Five for 50 Foundation is all about. More to come on that this week. Also, keep your eye peeled for some live video to go up on my blog as we prepare to go to Africa on March 2nd. We're taking you with us!
