"Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:30 & 31 (ESV).
I have had to contemplate just how literally to take this commandment, especially since arriving in Africa. Begging here (like in most parts of the world) is a bonafide profession, and it is hard to discern sometimes who is actually in need and who is just running with the usual bag of tricks. But does it really matter? At the end of the day, we will all stand in judgement (Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10) Surely, the Lord has not said to give to EVERYONE, for if we did that, would there be anything left for ourselves? Or did He? I guess we all need to work that one out in our own hearts and between us and God. What about the chilling example Jesus gives regarding the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)? Am I the rich man, and are 'they' my 'Lazarus'? Or what about Jesus' admonishment to the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-30)? And God forbid we turn away someone who was actually an angel in disguise who the Lord sent to test our giving hearts (Hebrews 13:2)! Doesn't He also tell us that whatever we do to the least among us, we are doing unto Him? (Mathew 25:31-46) Convicting!
I believe God sent me two divine appointments in the past two weeks as He continues teaching me about giving.
The first was a young Fulfude man a few years younger than myself named Umaru. He approached me as I emerged from the hospital one afternoon. I had one thing on my mind, getting home for lunch before having to rush back. Usually, in my focused state, I pay little heed to those along the way, but this guy was persistent. He came begging with open hands, asking for food to settle his hunger pangs. Then, he began following me. I decided to bring him home for lunch, and so I hosted an unexpected dinner guest. He spoke a very broken pidgin dialect, could barely understand two words between us, but he was thankful for the food I warmed up. I did manage to pick up on his incessant ask for alcohol (which I refused); maybe the Lord really didn't mean to give always to those who ask?!? Umaru had spotted olive oil in my cupboard and yearned for a sip as he thought it was my stash of whiskey. I poured it for him to entertain his notion, and he readily drank down a few gulps of the stuff (gross!) Before we were through, he requested to wash in my kitchen sink (like head and full upper body) and for a towel to dry and then proceeded to ask for more olive oil, this time to rub on his head, face and arms. I just stood there in my kitchen wondering if this was culturally the norm or if he was drunk or perhaps mentally handicapped. Still am unsure, his affect seemed normal enough. Anyway, made for an eventful lunch hour and am thankful I could give him everything he asked of me (except the booze).
Another man approached me last evening as I headed home from an exceptionally difficult day in maternity. I surfaced from the unit late in the afternoon just wanting to go home, shower, wash off the grimy day filled with really sick babies. This man was middle aged and absolutely pathetic. I mean that in the most empathetic way! My heart really went out to him as he explained that his wife just died in child birth the previous morning (not at Mbingo but at a health facility over an hour away, making it more difficult for me to determine truth in his words). While his little daughter was thriving, the woman died from complications of her emergent C-section for footling presentation. The man had to pay all that he had (240,000 CFA or $400+ USD) for the operation, but needed 20,000 CFA more before the hospital would give him the corpse of his dead wife. His grief and words, "I beg of you in the name of God" really struck me. Let me tell you, I was no saint in my initial dealings with this man. My heart was hard in my original response, and I brushed him aside. If I recall, I think I even lied to his face stating that I could not give him the funds...I mean, sure I could, I had a few extra bills in my wallet. The correct response would have been, "No, I'm unwilling." As we carried on conversation for a few more minutes and as I began to pray for this man, I began putting myself into his shoes. I can't even fathom such momentous tragedy. God ultimately reminded me of Luke 6:31, the famous Golden Rule, and so we parted ways, and my acquaintance received all that he asked (Matthew 7:7).
Enjoy some pics from life here!
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| Taví and Killian, a boy who sought shelter on my porch during a rain storm this week. |
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| We (mainly my surgeon friend) did an at-home neutering of poor Tavyeh. His bucket will stay in place for a few more days as his wound continues to heal! The bone was his consolation prize : ) |
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| A snake in my back storehouse. The people here are convinced it was either a green mamba or a mountain cobra. Couldn't really see the head as it escaped into the ceiling. |
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| Visited the Batwa (pygmies) people on my travels in Uganda. |
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| And had a fascinating time with the gorillas! |
