for those with nothing.....

A local Christian radio station was bragging  announcing about their upcoming mission trip to Guatemala where they will be sharing with those "who have nothing".  The condescending tone was unintentional, I have no doubt. The sincerity that was involved in thanking "all the listeners whom have made this trip possible" sounded genuine.

But something about the whole thing bugged me.  Made me think.  Dangerous I know!

What does it mean to have nothing?

Do you have nothing if you live in a one room house with a dirt floor?  Or is that a roof over your head?  Is it condescending when people who live in McMansions help send middle class people to another country to "help" those who "have nothing"?

Do you have nothing if you have to go to the well in the village to get your water and haul it back to a hut? Or is that access to fresh, clean water?  Is it condescending when people who spend hundreds of dollars on Delta faucets help send middle class people to another countryto help "poor" people get stuff?

Do you have nothing if you have limited education? Or is it that how you live there is no need for these skills?  Is it condescending when people who have PHD's tell the middle class that they must go and help educate those poor, poor, villagers?

Just because they don't have roads, running water, huge houses with central air/heat, and electricity does NOT mean that they have NOTHING.  They have loving families and communities.  They often have great joy and generosity.

But I suppose telling your radio listeners that you are going to Guatemala to visit villagers who are "roughing it" wouldn't help you raise much money.  But physically "saving" them and giving them stuff?  That'll bring in the bucks!

The fact of the matter is that for thousands and thousands of years the people of the earth have lived like millions of the poor currently on this planet today.  They have more than nothing.  They are more than nothing.  And they don't need us to go visit them and treat them like a pet project that helps us feel better about our selves. 

We all need access to food, shelter and clothing.  It doesn't have to be steak, or a 4,000 sq foot house and haute couture.  Simple veggies, a hut with a dirt floor, and hand me downs are just fine.

And that IS something!