Serious Post Saturday (Strange, That)

Sometimes the strangest memories come back to you at the strangest times. I had that happen this week. So I thought I'd take you on a little journey...I hope you don't mind.

I used to live in Kenya. It was an amazingly transformative experience and I wouldn't change a moment of it for the world.

While living in Kenya, nearly 15 years ago, a boy came to visit me over the holidays. {Note: this was not The Boy. It was just a boy.}

We had a great time, visiting ministry locations and doing the obligatory tourist stops of safari and market walking and countryside driving. During a drive to visit a small church, this boy commented off-handedly that while he was visiting me in Kenya, he was missing out on a great shoe sale at Nordstroms.

Odd, isn't it, to still remember that?

I remember feeling completely outraged. Here we were, driving to an itty-bitty church that met in the slums in a ramshackle tin shack, and he was missing out on a shoe sale.

I, who wasn't really known for tact back then, said, You know, just one pair of those on-sale shoes cost more than what four families living around here make all year.

And that was the end of shoe sale discussion.

Now having gotten older and, I hope, a little wiser - and certainly much more tactful - I know that he wasn't being materialistic. Nor was he being self-centered. He was just being what he was: An American.

You can, by the way, slot your nationality of choice in place of American. It doesn't really matter because what I'm getting at is this: We all are a product of the culture we grew up in and are (naturally) concerned with the things that impact our culture.

So here's where my mental train trip took me.

It's been really really hot and really really dry in Dallas - in much of the United States, honestly. It somewhat consumes my thoughts. I'm fairly certain it's consuming the thoughts of my friends/family/coworkers as well, if reading Facebook status updates offers any insight.

But I have one friend, living in Kenya, who faithfully posts prayer requests from Kenya through her Facebook page.

So while I was sitting in my air conditioned house, drinking a glass of chilled water from my refrigerator, and half-thinking about what I would make for dinner, I read this:

One can look at this plant and see a parched broken plant or a beautiful star surrounded by sparkling mini-crowns. I spotted this plant soon after being asked to comment on the African drought situation. To be honest, giving an answer is difficult. My first reaction: What I know will break the heart of others and I don't want to share anything until I can offer how they can help! One thing that I can do immediately is ask you to pray that the needs will be met of those suffering. I also ask that you pray for wisdom and strength for those making decisions related to how and who to offer assistance as there is one fact I do know: There are many people affected and the needs are so great. You can also pray that assistance not only meets the current needs related to the lack of rain, but leads to a brighter future filled with hope for those that are hungry, thirsty, sick and often homeless.

Right. Gut check. Did you know that:

• In Eastern Africa the United Nations estimates about 770,000 people have fled to refugee camps and about $1.3 billion will be needed to address the crisis. The region suffers from long-term cycles of severe hunger, sharpened now by decades of failed crops, economic crises and climatic changes.
• The drought in the Horn of Africa is the worst since 1951.
• A USAID analysis says the drought has driven up food prices and weakened livestock, thus increasing malnutrition, hunger and famine.

I've been what I am: An American consumed by my own problems, not thinking about others. While it may be hot in the US, and horribly dry - causing immense suffering an economic loss - I am still blessed by what I have.

The challenge, of course, is to remember that and do what can be done to help those who do not.

Source

Read more here and here.