One World, One People - Day 127 Month 5-7 Week 19-1
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
Deuteronomy 9, Psalm 104, John 3:1-21
One World, One People
We should look after Canada before we send money to other places! I know, that sounds a little like MAGA in the US but I’ve heard it a lot here in my neck of the woods. However, it’s not the philosophy I grew up with and that hasn’t changed. I believe we do need to love our neighbour whether it’s here or around the world. There are plenty of poor and those that need a helping hand so definitely let’s look after them. However God’s kingdom does not have borders. Our neighbour is everywhere we go.
Last evening (I write this blog a few days ahead so last evening was Friday May 1) Syl and I went to see a concert at the church we attend. The concert was the Watoto Childrens Choir from Uganda. Syl and I are not new to the Watoto organization. In fact we sponsored two kids for a number of years, travelled to Uganda, Africa and helped build two homes for orphans in 2003. Watoto is unique because they don’t build large orphan homes, they build large orphan communities. Each home has a house “mom” and 8 children. If you imagine a wagon wheel with 8 spokes, each home is at the end of one of the spokes and in the center is where they enjoy community times. But that’s not all, imagine that wagon wheel at the end of a spoke in a larger wagon wheel, where in the centre of all these communities is a church, a school and a hospital.
Ugandan people, like those in many African nations, have experienced local wars, a lot of poverty and many parents have died from disease, leaving children without homes. Between abandoned babies (abandoned mothers without support who cannot care for their newborns) and homeless children there are a lot of orphans. Watoto has cared for thousands of orphans and the cycle continues to this day. At the concert last evening, one of the adults who were part of the Watoto group saw the pictures of our two kids, Kate and Godfrey and he recognized Godfrey! He told us that Godfrey was now married. We were thrilled to get this update because we were able to contribute to his childhood and teen years. He was 9 when we actually met him on our trip. Kate was a couple of years older and we met her as well.
We read John 3:1-21 today. These have some powerful verses where Jesus is having a deep conversation with a religious teacher, Nicodemus. Verse 16 explains why we care for the rest of the world. It says “For God so loved the world.” By looking after the rest of the world, we are also loving the world. Jesus continues, talking about himself in third person, “He gave His only begotten (one and only) Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life?” If you have time, go back and read John 3:1-21 again. It’s loaded with a better understanding of Jesus and his purpose on earth.
That’s why we care for the rest of the world equally to loving the people around us. If I can use the Watoto mindset, we are at the end of a spoke in a much larger community and we are here to share community with all those at the end of the other spokes.
Last evening, we couldn’t help ourselves, and sponsored another child named Freda. It’s only $45 per month and we get to impact the life of another child in Africa who will grow up in a safe, nurturing environment. Who knows, we may meet her someday just like we did with Kate and Godfrey.
I recommend that if you are able to, go to one of the Watoto concerts when they come to your area. The choir that is in Canada right now is touring the maritimes for the next couple of weeks. If you’d like to attend, here is a link with tour information https://www.watoto.com/choir/tour/ .
Have a great day
Steve
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