Poverty

What should we be about when we help those who live in "poverty". I thank God for ministries that focus on asisting and ministering to those who live in poverty. Part of the reason we joined CRM was because of CRM's longstanding commitment to minister to, and in the midst of, the poor. Recently a teammate of ours posted a link to this article from Christianity Today and I have been reminded of what an incredibly complex issue lies in front of those who wish to bless "the poor". It is worth saying first that it can be difficult to even define what poverty is. For instance, many orphans in Russia are definitely poor, but they do remain blessed in comparison with the orphan population in some other places in the world (think of war orphans in Africa, or street children in India). There is one thing that we have learned though. We now understand that the worst manifestation of poverty, and the hardest aspect of poverty to address and unroot is the mindset of poverty. To illustrate this point, let's think of a person who has absolutely given up on hope. I have heard stories concerning drug addicts in Russia who leave suicide notes that state exactly this, "I have no hope". Hopeless people are crippled people; unable to move and unable to imagine change, much less initiate action, these are people who are truly poor. And they are likely to remain thus for a long time. In contrast, an orphan who wants to live life to the fullest and has hope in the future will hold his head up high and will seek out the help that is available to them. Regardless of the amount in this orphan's bank account, they can hardly be called "poor". Unfortunately, the Russian orphanage system seems to have an uncanny ability to institutionalize children and yank out the very basic hope and initiative that is required to push forward through the challenges of life. So, what is our goal? Are we seeking to instill in a "poor" person's heart a love of money or a desire for wealth and power? Far from it! Firstly, an intensely materialistic worldview is not actually the way out of poverty. I have heard the head of Innerchange, CRM's main initiative towards poor communities, say that our goal is always to pray for and administer acts of healing so that men and women in poverty can stand up and walk into the life that God has for them. The question can be asked then: Where is God leading us? Towards death, hopelessness, and despair?? No way! God is calling all of us to a place of inner peace and joy and life as true as life can be. When I work with an orphan, or anyone for that matter, I hope that they see me as a man willing to go through challenges and hardships for Christ and in Christ. My belief is that this lifestyle of dependence on Christ automatically moves us up and out of true poverty. Our bank accounts go up and down for sure, but in Christ we are rich beyond compare. Conveying this truth is the essence of ministry to the poor.

People with "Issues"

I have noticed one somewhat unexpected thing while working with children from the Russian orphanage system: these kids are really not as "messed up" as we sometimes make them out to be. I in no way want to diminish the severity of being abandoned. I certainly realize and understand the bad effects of having been institutionalized. AND, thatt is exactly my point. These children would have been able to deal with their stress better, would have been able to construct a better work ethic and would have been able to graduate from their schooling fully prepared to live independently HAD they been raised by someone who cared. None of the kids we work with are somehow "too far gone". And we must add that in the economics of the kingdom of God, there is no such thing as "too far gone". I would even venture to say that the kids we work with really aren't "all that bad". TO be honest, I often come home from the Vocational Center thinking, "Gosh, I want to adopt at least 5 or 6 of these kids..." ALL they need is a home! All they really need is some type of constant loving presence in their lives. Of course, The Harbor's programs try to fill the hole left from not having a stable adult in one's life.... And it is worth stating that, even just a little love and care goes a LONG way. Another thing I want to point out is that we are ALL people with issues. I know that I have behavior issues, psychological problems, and most of all there is sin in my life. I am a person who needs help. I depend on others, for advice, encouragement and a helping hand. At the end of the day; WE ALL have issues. This is not unique to orphans. So, I thank God that he gave me parents who cared. I thank God that I was accepted and encouraged in my growing-up years. I thank God that I was helped along in dealing with my issues and I especially thank God that I was pointed toward Christ as the one who is the Great Healer and Helper. It is more than frustrating to see so many children who have been deprived of a home and it is especially frustrating and heartbreaking to imagine "what could have been" the case for these children. However,we at The Harbor know that it can be truly life-altering for these kids to run into people who dare to "imagine what could be" for them and in them. Thank you for daring to imagine with us.