Poverty is a curse.

“Poverty is a curse” she said to me today. 

Marietta that is. 

I find that this new friend of mine has a highly critical as well as analytical mind, so hearing those words from her, didn't suprise me.

That simple statement set off a train of thought that translated into this keyboard.

Poverty robs you of all the material possessions you own and then it runs after your soul. It doesn’t stop until it destroys your soul. Breaks your spirit.

It reminds me of a statement I’ve heard repeated countless times and if I said exactly wherefrom it would be insincere. I believe it is based on the Bible. Those who will suffer for your sins are those within your lifeline. Poverty is a curse. It’s a curse from God.

I’m often reminded during my chats with God usually sparked off by listening to Joyce Meyer on Radio 3.16, that I am loved, and blessed, not for anything I have done, or not done, but because of His grace. Because God is who He is.

Poverty is a curse.

When we were younger, my siblings and I were always told by all the adults in my family generally,

“Do not waste food, God will take it away from you.”

I find this statement has one of two reactions pinned to it.

“Even if I don’t eat this, how will it help the person starving in Turkana?” a friend of mine said once, while sneering. I don’t know how it will help them. But what I do believe strongly is that your descendants will pay dearly for your misgivings today.

In me, the warning resulted in a sort of miser. You have no idea. Before I use anything I think to myself of all the cost effective ways of doing so and think whether it’s really necessary. It covers ground from water to food to even the meticulous way that I ensure I do not drop a single grain of rice while I wash or cook or serve it.

God will take it away.

Granted, I have a deep seated love for humanity. I maneuver in slums, childrens homes, among various less fortunate people without as much as a second thought. Sometimes I have thought to myself that I could leave it all behind and work for the less fortunate with all I have. It’s a crazy thought I know. But I have developed over time an attatchment to very little in my life.

People are my passion. Things, not so much.
 

Poverty is a curse.

Put yourself in a poor persons shoes. I want to tell you to close your eyes and imagine, but you need to finish this first  J

Yesterday I had lunch with a new friend. Wahinya. Wahinya is intelligent. Witty. Focussed. Composed. Driven. Sweet. The perfect gentleman. I would comment on his looks but to me, everyone is an empty canvas until I get to know them better.

Before it starts to sound like i’m over sizing this young man up, I must mention now and categorically, that there is still only one young man that I think about constantly during the day, and pray for with the ferver of Saint Monica laying Saint Augustine at the foot of The Cross. He is the one I think about when I get up, and when I go to bed. The one I love, B.

Hehehe,..now that, that’s out of the way J LOL!

Just kidding.

But yes, there was a point to Wahinya.

He asked me to do a random evaluation of why those I approached to do the Slumcode project agreed. And so I posed the same question to myself.

Why am I so passionate about this project?

Legacy. Gift.

What is the gift that I’m leaving to the generations both existent as well as those that have not seen the light of day yet?

Saint Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer has a saying that is quite famous in my circles.

“Blaze a trail” for the Bible does tell us that, “To he whom much is given, much is expected.”

 Luke 12:48

“but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes . And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required:”

It kind of reminds me of the story of the talents. The way I see it is if I have been given the gift of compassion and the talent of mobilization as well as a supportive group of friends, the least I can do is use my gift to the best of my ability.

I am loved, not because of anything I have done or not done, but because of who He is.

“Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner. For I am not worthy to receive you, but if you say the word, I shall be healed.”

-Mathew 8:8

Yours reflectively,

C.