Arandis, Namibia: Another non-coincidence?

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Another non-coincidence?

18 March 2007

I'll admit, after having spent time in Namibia and then coming home, I've struggled with a few things. One of my struggles has been trying to put into perspective the things that I have versus the things that they don't have. The things I can purchase and the things they cannot. I do not believe there is anything that I need that I cannot buy and I can also buy many of the things I want, but I don't really need.

In Namibia, oftentimes they cannot buy the things they need.

The fact is, I waste money. There, I said it. Material possessions, I have many. I spend money in ways I do not need to; I buy things I really do not need. Everytime I hear or read Matthew 19:21-22, Mark 10:21-22, or Luke 18:22-23, I think, am I the one in the story who is walking away sad and grieving?

And here's the kicker, not only do I have the ability and tendancy to justify any purchase I make of something I do not need, I can find others who might also help me justify the purchase; to help me convince myself that it was the right decision. Maybe what I really should do is go out and get one of those "What Would Jesus Do" bracelets and as I feel the urge to spend money a certain way, look down at it and wonder?

Some might say I'm taking things to the extreme. Some might say that I shouldn't take things so literally. Perhaps and perhaps. But in the end, it's up to me to decide for me, what it is I should do. We all know that we enter and leave this world with nothing; that what is important is what happened in between those two days.

What do I do? What is the right thing to do? Is it okay to have even just a little of what I want, and don't need, while ignoring the real basic needs of others? Is simply saying a prayer for them my justification that I've fulfilled my selfless obligations; that I've prayed God will do something to help them? Maybe what scares me is that God's answer to that prayer, and all prayers perhaps, can be found when looking in a mirror.

So what's the non-coincidence?

Last week I was having coffee with a friend of mine. Part of the conversation revolved around buying something that cost $40 US. And, although there were many reasons that easily justify its purchase in his eyes and the eyes of others, the fact is, it was something that I did not need and I wondered what that same $40 US might buy in a place like Namibia. Well, on that very day, after I got home from having coffee, I had an email from Brenda Johnston, of Hope's Promise, waiting for me. It was a copy of a brochure that a partner/friend of Hope's Promise had generously donated their time and talent to come up with, to use as a marketing, leave behind piece. And there, on the back panel, staring me in the face, was a list of things that your donations could do for Hope's Promise. And included were two things that $40 could buy. I've included the information on the new Hope's Promise web site which is almost ready to go live. I'll let you know when it does, and I encourage you to take a peek. In the meantime, I'll post here some of what is on that brochure.

Here is what your donation can provide:

$10 - School supplies for one child for 6 months

$20 - Daily fruit for one month for 30 children

$35 - One month of water for a foster family

$40 - School uniform for one child

$40 - One month of electricity for a foster family

$75 - One month of expenses for a child

$100 - One month of rent

$100 - Glasses for a child

$120 - One child's school fees for a month

$150 - One teacher's salary for a month

And these are just a few of the things.

I think about the $10-$20 I might spend at a place like Dunkin Donuts each month, on top of the $14.99 bottle of wine, or the sushi rolls for $5.99.

Now that I know what that money can provide for in a place like Namibia, is it right for me to continuously spend $20 per month at Dunkin Donuts and ignore the fact that if I made the sacrifice, and did not spend the $20 to satisfy my selfish wants, that I could help selflessly satisfy the nutritional needs of 30 children in Namibia?

By somehow finding a way to disguise and justify the things I want as things I need in this life, am I, as the man in the story, turning and walking away sad?

I struggle trying to find the crossover between taking action and non-action. How selfless am I expected to be in my life? Whose expectations are they?

Is the answer in the mirror?

Can I accept the answer?

posted by Don @ 9:53 PM

1 Comments:

At 8:09 AM, Jimmy C said…

Don, Having spent time in Ondangwa with Saara and Boniface Paula and I understand your thoughts. They like a lot of Namibian's don't know where there next meal may come from. They exist on one meal a day. We have three and snack when we feel hungry. One thing we realized, we beleive they have a better sense of how God provides. "Give us this day our daily bread" God is so faithful to his children in providing. I know for me that I am more gratefull for what I've been given.