Was I Really “Roughing It”?
POSTED IN: Authenticity, Compassion, Social Justice
I just got back from a fun weekend of camping and boating with my brother and sister-in-law (posts & pics coming this week). This weekend we were “roughing it” which meant we
- cooked our food over a campfire instead of an oven or microwave
- lived in a tent rather than our comfortable, climate-controlled house
- slept on the hard ground rather than our soft, pillow-top bed
However, at no point during our “roughing it” camping trip did we have to
- worry about where our next meal was going to come from (we packed plenty of food ahead of time)
- wonder whether we would catch a potentially fatal water-related illness because of unsafe drinking water (we brought bottled water with us)
- lay awake at night worrying about which member of our family would fall victim to AIDS and how that would affect our income (we’re all healthy and carry health and life insurance)
Waiting For Someone To Help Her
I enjoy camping and spending time in the great outdoors but it’s also important to remember that for some people around the world, the outdoors really isn’t that great. Many people, like little 8-year-old Ishimwe, live in parts of the world that are ravaged by war, disease, rape and hunger. Our world is so different from theirs.
Ishimwe Joseline lives in Rwanda in an area that has been dramatically affected by the genocide of 1994 in which over 800,000 people were killed. She’s been waiting over 6 months for someone to sponsor her for only $32 a month through Compassion International.
If you haven’t yet sponsored a child through Compassion or if you want to add another one, would you consider Ishimwe? That small check every month makes such a huge difference for Ishimwe and the thousands of others like her that Compassion helps around the world.
Click here to sponsor Ishimwe. If she is already sponsored click here to search for another child.
If you decided to sponsor Ishimwe or another child or already sponsor children through Compassion let me know about it.
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August 11, 2008
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Brad,
Thank you for the post. It was well written and I love your perspective. That being said, I’d like to ask a reply question in return:
Why is it that, especially in the American Christian communities, it’s especially chic to sponsor a child in a foreign country while so many American children suffer in poverty every day?
Just more food for thought, I suppose.
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August 11, 2008
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I love how you tied these two things together…next time I go camping, I’ll definately think about this.
Fortunately, Dale and I already have 3 Compassion kids. Ours are all from Ethiopia. In fact, we got a letter from the oldest one in the mail this weekend. I think the best part of sponcering a child through Compassion (besides the sheer fact that they are taken care of) is getting letters in the mail and writting them back. I love hearing what they are learning and what games they are playing with their friends. Sometimes, I just simply pray that they weill have the oppertunity to be kids today, ya know, run around and be crazy for an afternoon, without worrying about all the things they shouldn’t be facing in life.
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August 11, 2008
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@Dean – that’s a great question. I think the reason I focus more on sponsoring children around the world is because the need is greater.
I’m trying to focus my financial giving towards organization that are working with the “stupid poverty” as Bono calls it – the type of poverty that is so easily eradicated. It’s the 1.8 million children who die every day from diarrhea or the 1.1 billion who live on $1-2 a day and lack access to clean drinking water.
That in no way discounts the work of organizations helping children in poverty right here in the United States. I just think that the need is MUCH greater elsewhere.
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August 11, 2008
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Dean,
The concept that it is chic to sponsor someone is well, honestly nauseating to me. Maybe some people realize what “blessings” they are to someone who has nothing, but regardless it doesn’t change the underlying fact that people in third world countries do need our resources.
There are many people who contribute to eliminating poverty in America. And personally, I have seen the worst poverty America has and I have seen the worst poverty the world has. Poverty is poverty either way, but in America, even the poorest of poor have access to clean drinking water, and don’t face deadly illnesses like Malaria on a daily basis. And even if there was a life threatening illness, access to medical care is just a hospital away.
I am not trying to make light of the poverty that is in America because it does exist. But when people begin to assume that charity is provided because of trendiness, well, that is absolutely disgusting. Charity is the love of God expressed tangibly. For some of us it will be overseas and for some of us it will be here domestically.
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August 11, 2008
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Also jumping in on this, extreme poverty (being where one cannot meet basic needs for survival)does not exist in the U.S. or Canada.
Brad, I’m telling ya, you gotta read The End of Poverty!
Another activity we can be part of that may have more long term benefits to the developing world is micro-lending by infusing much needed capital into their economies. Find out more at Kiva.org
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August 11, 2008
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@Anne – Well said.
@Jason – I do think micro-loans are an awesome way to help infuse new life into communities that are plagued with poverty and lack opportunity. I’m going to have to pick up that book you recommended. It sounded interesting when you were telling me about it.
Has anyone else read “The End of Poverty”? Any other good books you would recommend?
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August 11, 2008
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That’s a great contrast between our “roughing it” and basically their everyday life. One of the most sobering thing I ever saw was the Documentary “Glue Boys” where the makers did a parallel between a 2 and 4 year old who were abducted here in the US and how there was an Amber Alert and so much focus put on these two boys, whereas over in Africa they showed a 2 & 4 year old that have no parents due to their death by AIDs and who live on their own, surviving on their own, and no one brings attention to them. They are left to sniff toxic glue at night to take their hunger pains and their realization of the cold at night. Children just pass out in the street from the glue.
I am not saying we should not bring awareness when kids are abducted here, but why is there a difference? They are all innocent little children who deserve the same love and attention and help.
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August 11, 2008
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Great post Brad, and I enjoyed reading the comments as well. I love to see Christians who have a genuine burden and passion to see the children of this world fed, clothed, and provided with medical care. But in the same token, Dean brings up a good point. It is unfortunate that some people do these things for personal glory, or because it is a “trend”. Its the same thing I feel about wealthy caucasians adopting Haitian children. I think its AWESOME…but we’ve got plenty of little black boys and girls right here in America that need to be a part of a loving family as well. My point is, I agree with both Anne and Dean.
Let us as “christians”, or “believers” do whatever God lays on our heart to do to help those in need; whether it be children, widows, or the couple at church that cant pay their rent.
Love your blog. God bless
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August 11, 2008
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beautifully written, brad!
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August 11, 2008
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I believe that Compassion is doing an amazing thing and I don’t want to discredit them in the least. I don’t believe that it’s chic to sponsor a child overseas, but I have found those in Christian communities who use the “I do enough already” mantra when it comes to getting their hands dirty. I’m in the Detroit area and there is a lot of poverty, homelessness and hunger in the streets here, just like many American cities, so my own frustration is with those who overlook their own geographic neighbors while saying “there is no one here to help.”
God’s peace to you all,
Dean
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August 11, 2008
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@Dean – I agree, there are people and children who need help here in our own backyard. I angers me too when people say that they do enough. How can we possibly do enough good in this world to repay Christ’s sacrifice? My money is not my own, it belongs to God, He blesses me with the time and resources, talent and money that I have here and now SO THAT I may go and bless others. It’s that simiple. Even my time is not my own.
I also love that some people are called to have a heart for orphans and the poverty-stricken here in America while others, like myself, have a heart for those oversees. I think there needs to be a balance, so that every orphan and widow are taken care of. We all need to do our part, because one of us can’t do it alone. It’s a beautiful thing for me to see the same passion I have for orphans in Africa in a person who has the same passion but for orphans here in the US, or Asia, South America, Europe. This is a big earth and we need to pull together to tackle all the injustices we can possibly face.
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August 11, 2008
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i dont want to make my kids feel guilty – but i am quick to correct them when they come to me and say, “theres nothing to eat!” its such a great opportunity to show them our compassion child, Ogutu. remind them how fortunate and well provided for they are.
we have NO idea.
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August 13, 2008
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Way to go Brad. Thanks for using your blog influence to make such a difference.
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August 14, 2008
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I agree that there are huge needs in our own country as well, Dean. Have you found an affective way to help alleviate the poverty in Detroit? You’re right — we do need to start at home. I’m glad to know that Compassion does partner with http://www.youthpartnersnet.org/
for needs within our own country. I also agree with Anne, that here children at least have access to clean water, government support and free education. I support Compassion’s ministry whole-heartedly. As the Compassion motto says, “We may not be able to change the world, but we can change the world for one child.”
Thanks for the excellent post Brad, and for doing your part in this suffering world!
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October 15, 2008
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October 22, 2009
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