Who Am I?
Treating the poor with respect and dignity is so much more important than we will probably ever realize. I really hate to tell you this, but it's terrifyingly easy to look down on people who have less. Less status. Less education. Less money. Less opportunity. Less_________.
It's scary how often those who have less are treated as such. I'm going to fill you in on a little secret though. The majority of the time those who have less had nothing to do with getting themselves into the "less than" category.
They didn't choose where they were born.
They didn't choose their family.
They didn't choose whether or not to attend kindergarten or elementary school.
They didn't choose to be illiterate and uneducated.
They didn't choose to be unemployed, their illiteracy and non existent education chose that for them. Which keeps them poor, and unable to send their own children to school which begins another cycle of "less than".
I cannot even begin to understand the sadness that comes over a women when I ask her to sign a document and she tells me she can't write her name. I have seen the shame hundreds of times. I immediately say, "Don't worry if you can't write. You can just put a line or we can get your fingerprint. You have nothing to be ashamed of, it's not your fault."
And it really isn't her fault friends.
We judge people so quickly. We look down on people without even realizing it. Take a moment to consider your life. Do you make an effort to treat people who have less with the dignity and respect they deserve?
How we treat the poor is VERY IMPORTANT.
If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor; your cries will go unheard, unanswered. Proverbs 21:13
I've been on a journey the past few weeks. Learning the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity. The poor deserve our respect as much as the Prime Minister of Canada and the Queen of England, or your mechanic and your child's teacher. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity; our religion, social status or education should not change that.
Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute. Proverbs 31:8-9
Since March 2015 Kenol and I have had the incredible opportunity to give away 215 homes. Giving someone a home is the most incredible experience, especially when I have visited with them in their tent. When I have seen first hand how hard their life is. When I sit in their tent and can see through the torn walls. When the heat is unbearable, and it's only been a few short minutes. When I see the hole they cut in the tent so the flood waters can flow through, instead of pooling inside.
I have seen a lot. I have heard horrifying and terrible stories of tragedy, terror and loss from inside these tents. I haven't processed this part of my Haiti journey, I'm not sure how to yet. One thing I do know, giving away a home is a BIG DEAL for me.
When we visited Eximene's tent a few weeks ago she was so kind and gracious to us. I liked her immediately. She asked if we needed to come in the tent or if she could bring chairs outside for us, so we could enjoy the breeze, and then asked how our day had been. She couldn't tell me the names of everyone living in her tent, because there were so many. Her children and their children and maybe a cousin or two. Her home was open for all in need. Her heart was beautiful.
Today was a great day for Examine and her family, because today, after more than 6 years in a tent, they received a home. When she opened the door of her new home she immediately threw her arms into the air in praise and cried out, "Who am I? Who am I?" over and over. I don't know why that was her reaction in that joyous moment, but I can imagine. Was she overcome by the gift? Did she think she didn't deserve it? Did she wonder why she received a home when so many were still in need? Did she see herself as "less than" in the past? Tears streamed down my face.
Who are you Examine?
You are a beautiful daughter of the King.
You are His creation.
You were chosen.
You were purposefully and wonderfully made.
Your prayers were heard, and your prayers were answered.
You have worth.
You are greatly valued.
You Examine are deeply loved.
My prayer is that her new home will be a daily reminder of who she is; someone who deserves respect and to be treated with dignity. I also pray that this home will somehow break the cycle of poverty Examine has been trapped in. That this home will be the beginning of a new cycle for her family. That having a safe place to sleep and the security that comes with owning a home will allow for new opportunities for the generations growing up now.
It's scary how often those who have less are treated as such. I'm going to fill you in on a little secret though. The majority of the time those who have less had nothing to do with getting themselves into the "less than" category.
They didn't choose where they were born.
They didn't choose their family.
They didn't choose whether or not to attend kindergarten or elementary school.
They didn't choose to be illiterate and uneducated.
They didn't choose to be unemployed, their illiteracy and non existent education chose that for them. Which keeps them poor, and unable to send their own children to school which begins another cycle of "less than".
I cannot even begin to understand the sadness that comes over a women when I ask her to sign a document and she tells me she can't write her name. I have seen the shame hundreds of times. I immediately say, "Don't worry if you can't write. You can just put a line or we can get your fingerprint. You have nothing to be ashamed of, it's not your fault."
And it really isn't her fault friends.
We judge people so quickly. We look down on people without even realizing it. Take a moment to consider your life. Do you make an effort to treat people who have less with the dignity and respect they deserve?
How we treat the poor is VERY IMPORTANT.
If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor; your cries will go unheard, unanswered. Proverbs 21:13
I've been on a journey the past few weeks. Learning the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity. The poor deserve our respect as much as the Prime Minister of Canada and the Queen of England, or your mechanic and your child's teacher. We all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity; our religion, social status or education should not change that.
Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute. Proverbs 31:8-9
Since March 2015 Kenol and I have had the incredible opportunity to give away 215 homes. Giving someone a home is the most incredible experience, especially when I have visited with them in their tent. When I have seen first hand how hard their life is. When I sit in their tent and can see through the torn walls. When the heat is unbearable, and it's only been a few short minutes. When I see the hole they cut in the tent so the flood waters can flow through, instead of pooling inside.
I have seen a lot. I have heard horrifying and terrible stories of tragedy, terror and loss from inside these tents. I haven't processed this part of my Haiti journey, I'm not sure how to yet. One thing I do know, giving away a home is a BIG DEAL for me.
When we visited Eximene's tent a few weeks ago she was so kind and gracious to us. I liked her immediately. She asked if we needed to come in the tent or if she could bring chairs outside for us, so we could enjoy the breeze, and then asked how our day had been. She couldn't tell me the names of everyone living in her tent, because there were so many. Her children and their children and maybe a cousin or two. Her home was open for all in need. Her heart was beautiful.
Today was a great day for Examine and her family, because today, after more than 6 years in a tent, they received a home. When she opened the door of her new home she immediately threw her arms into the air in praise and cried out, "Who am I? Who am I?" over and over. I don't know why that was her reaction in that joyous moment, but I can imagine. Was she overcome by the gift? Did she think she didn't deserve it? Did she wonder why she received a home when so many were still in need? Did she see herself as "less than" in the past? Tears streamed down my face.
Who are you Examine?
You are a beautiful daughter of the King.
You are His creation.
You were chosen.
You were purposefully and wonderfully made.
Your prayers were heard, and your prayers were answered.
You have worth.
You are greatly valued.
You Examine are deeply loved.
My prayer is that her new home will be a daily reminder of who she is; someone who deserves respect and to be treated with dignity. I also pray that this home will somehow break the cycle of poverty Examine has been trapped in. That this home will be the beginning of a new cycle for her family. That having a safe place to sleep and the security that comes with owning a home will allow for new opportunities for the generations growing up now.
Beautiful, Rachel! ;)
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