One of my favorite songs (seek up) from my favorite band (Dave Matthews Band) has the following lyrics
Sit awhile with tvs hungry child
Big belly swelled
Oh, for a price of a coke or a smoke
Keep alive those hungy eyes
Being connected to the Christian circuit I hear a lot of talk about “the starving children.” There are people with good intentions wanting to go on mission trips to make a difference. An ex-girl friend of mine has this enormous passion for children in need. It was inspiring to see to say the least.
So why do I have this disconnect? Why am I not passionate about it? I seem to be able to label off all the reasons why I think world aid or missionaries are a waste and are even worsening the situation. But when asked what I think about feeding the starving people… I don’t seem to have a comment.
There are so many layers of trouble in other countries that lead me to believe that traveling there to feed people isn’t helping or isn’t the answer. The more missionaries we have, the more advertisements on giving we see, the more people seem to be dieing and falling victim to it. Nothing that anyone is doing is slowing the death rates in third world countries.
I wonder though, is worrying about all the other stuff (politics, wars, egos, economics) even a concern when we have starving people?
I am more obliged to ask the question “what lead to their starvation?” than I am to jump on a plane and work over their.
My personal view (excuse the ignorance) is that all countries have troubles and that we all have to battle through our struggles. I think things get worse when other countries butt their nose in and tell others how they are doing it wrong and what they need to do to be more like them.
North America fought their own battles. Slavery, civil wars, Canada vs America. We have been their and we have done disgusting things to each other . Could you imagine if China came over when Canada and America were in battle 200 years ago and was like “STOP THIS CRAP or we’ll step in!”
Now I know someone will reply “Ron, its because of North America that these counties are poor” or “someone needs to help those that cant stand for their own” and to that I may/will agree. Unfortunately though, this world has been kept afloat by wars and people being in disagreement. Someone or something will always want more and who ever has that something better get a solid army or get good at speaking the other countries language.
As much as I like John Lennon and his “Peace for the world” campaign its too idealistic. People somewhere are going to be poor, mistreated, stepped upon, starving and dieing. Is it our job to fit their antagonists or just help band aid the situation?
Yah… this post went from being about feeding the poor to feeling pessimism about world peace. Its just one of those thinking days.
Cheers.
#1 by Mish on August 5th, 2007
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Dear Ron
I found your comments interesting and would like to respond. First of all, I think you need to look at this from a different perspective. When one person wants to go to a foreign country to help, they are not going to help a country. They are going to help a person, maybe two people, maybe ten. The point is, nothing negative can be gained by one human helping another. Giving one person what you can IS an accomplishment as long as you have made that person’s day better or maybe even given them knowledge or strength to change their life in some small yet significant way. No one can change the world but imagine this……our world becomes inflicted by war or poverty…..you are alone, scared and in need…….would you really be contemplating how it all came to be or would you just want someone to help you.. help YOU….not your country….just you. Everyone deserves protection from danger, disease, violence, hunger….no matter what country, religion, government that they happened to be born into. I understand your pessimism about world peace…….but try not to be pessimistic about reaching out, even if it’s only to ONE person.
Just one of those thinking days…LOL