$100. What would you do with it?
I’ve been spending time with the men in our program in Gahanga. While I’m there, all focus is on them. We play games. We share in the word. We challenge each others’ beliefs. We ask questions like the one above.
I started this particular day off with asking them, “What would you do if you had 100,000 RWF?” One said he would put it in the bank to save it. Another would use it to start a business. Yet another to buy a bike (so he could use it to earn more money by fetching water for people, giving rides, etc).
Then the question was reversed…”Kelly, what would YOU do with $100?” I started rattling off I’d buy some things for the kids down the street and….. The one guy stopped me. No. What if $100 was all that you had. What would you do with it?
I started asking them how much rent was… “And don’t forget you have to buy food, clothing, etc.” As I was calculating…the reality was sinking in…their reality.
These men have spent 6 plus months in a rehabilitation center. Most of them were picked up because they were already homeless… or in and out of the prison… caught with drugs…caught being drunk…caught stealing. The reality for these guys is… they don’t have a dollar to their name. They wanted me to know what it felt like to be them. And they don’t even get the gift of $100 when they leave HOPE. They start from scratch or close to there (which is why we feed them, help them find jobs, and give them clothing while here…feeling generous? Donate towards their clothing here. )
These men are stuck in poverty…how do you rise from the ashes and make a living for yourself. Normally, if you need some help here you can ask your mom, dad, or even a close friend. Most of these men also are orphans…parents died when they were young from disease or from the genocide. They have no one. They have nothing.
Please be praying for these men. I’ve already seen so much change in them. They’ve already seen so much change in themselves. Let’s pray that the jobs they find can sustain them and give them even more benefits than they can imagine. Let’s pray that they truly know the Father’s love for them.
Love your heart, Kelly! Thanks for sharing this. Our guys really need a lot of TLC to make up for the decades without. It’s amazing to see what being given a new (new-to-them) pair of shoes means to them! They cannot imagine that someone would love them so much as to want to protect their feet from all the hazards in their world. Tangible, practical love … meeting them where they are and attending to their basic needs. Powerful way of sharing the love of Christ!
Kelly, it is amazing how you are both teacher and student in your experience. I am blessed to be learning along with you.
Amen.
Thanks for coming along for the ride:) I will be very happy to see you guys soon and share so much more!
Praying for the Father’s provision for these men; physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.