I love this picture. It was sent to Barbie from our daughter-in-law, Emily. Some of the most industrious and smartest people whom I have ever met are the marginalized in Sub-Saharan Africa. They have so much fortitude and inner strength, and they just need a break.
I will be leaving this week to go and help in an area that is full of AIDS, famine and war. The people will be some of the most loving and caring people on earth. But many of them will die soon from a lack of basic resources. We will be trying to get them food and water. And we will also be trying to take care of the orphans produced by the disease, lack of food, and warring people.
There is a popular book out called When Helping Hurts. Although it does have some good material, I don’t really care for the book. I don’t like the title. Most people don’t read the book, but they use the title to justify their reasons for not helping. I realize that not everything works when you try to help people. But I’m tired of people justifying their lack of concern or their lack of action. I wish someone would write a book called When Helping Helps. Some economists from Yale and Columbia recently wrote a book called More Than Good Intentions. They studied charitable works around the world and found that some were good and others were not. Their conclusion was to find one that is helping and support it immensely. And don’t support the ones that aren’t doing a good job. I think that is a good analysis. There are so many good efforts that are really helping people who need some grace. Find them and help. If a work isn’t helping—don’t.
Anyhow, I will be leaving to help this week. I’d appreciate your prayers. Since I will be going to some refugee camps where relief workers aren’t always welcomed because of some terrorists, my trip will be a bit more dangerous than usual. I’ll try to send some blogs when possible. There isn’t electricity or Internet in some of the places where I will be. But when I get a chance, I’ll try to share a story. So I hope you will check the blog periodically. And certainly I will tell you of some experiences when I get back.
Praying for health, safety and God’s blessing on all your work. I am so proud of you!
i agree that the title When Helping Hurts can be misleading. but the point of the book is the exact opposite of inaction. hence the subtitle being: “How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself.” the book was produced by the Chalmers Center which is an economic development organization equipping people all over the world in ways to do asset-based sustainable development in their communities. check them out! http://www.chalmers.org/
they’re also launching a HELPING WITHOUT HURTING NETWORK next week and offer Helping Without Hurting Seminars all over the country. http://www.chalmers.org/work/helping-without-hurting-seminars
they’re also coming out with a new addition of When Helping Hurts this spring with 3 new chapters on how to take the next steps forward in poverty alleviation.
Milt- prayers for your safe travel. May this trip be blessed beyond anything imagined.