African Widows

There is an orphanage a few miles outside of Nairobi, Kenya that houses around 160 children ages 2 to 16. The facilities are adequate by African standards, but despite recent expansions every child sleeps at least two to a single bed, with some of the smaller children sleeping three to a bed. They each have one, perhaps two changes of clothes aside from their tattered school uniforms. The management has no permanent support from religious or non-governmental organizations and therefore relies completely upon the generosity of concerned missionaries and charity workers to feed and educate these precious young souls.

Don Pittman and I were part of a delegation from the Nairobi Church of Christ- Eastleigh that went to this orphanage last week to deliver maize, rice, beans, and sugar so that the nearly empty food pantry could be re-stocked for at least one more month. We, of course, played the part of typical Americans with our cameras out and smiles on our faces because even after traveling for 24 straight hours we were finally doing what we had come to do: take care of “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40). As residents of the United State, we know that we are blessed almost beyond measure and going to an orphanage such as this one serves as a reminder to us of our great fortune. Giving to these innocent, young victims of disease and violence helps alleviate the guilt that we sometimes feel during visits to third world countries because even though we will go home to king sized beds and more food than we can consume, we have in some small way made the lives of these orphans just a little more bearable.

During this visit, however, I was somewhat surprised to see that the Kenyans who accompanied us were just as excited about helping as we were. This surprised me because I have been to the homes of these Kenyans. They are my friends. I love them very much. However, I understand that they do not have a great many material possessions to claim as their own. They do not enjoy the luxuries that we do in North America. They may live better than the orphans at this children’s home, but by American standards they do not live well. They struggle to put food on the table, pay the rent, and simply survive. Still, they wanted to do their part in helping the “less fortunate.”

One day, Jesus sat opposite the collection point in the temple and observed those who were making their contributions. He saw many people deposit large sums of money, but was particularly impressed by one widow who gave roughly one penny. He contrasted this widow to the others saying, “they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:44). Jesus observed something in this woman that I observed in my Kenyan friends: the desire to give one’s all.

As we seek to know God, know each other, and serve the World, we must realize that the last step in our process is one that requires a large commitment but also is one that renders the greatest satisfaction. Whether we give from abundance (as Don and I did) or from poverty (as the Kenyans did) is not the issue. The issue is that giving to others brings about fulfillment in our lives. It gives us purpose. It helps demonstrate the greatest attribute of the God whom we serve. In continuing to discuss discipleship, let us remember that service is at the pinnacle of what we are trying to achieve.