Defending the Defenseless. By Tim Harley

"Learn to do right! Seek justice! Encourage the oppressed! Defend the cause of the fatherless! Plead the case of the widow!" (Isaiah 1:17).

Tuesday we returned to the Pygmy village to help dig holes for the latrines. It was especially rewarding for me to begin this partnership because we had visited this village in September, and our hearts were touched by the desperation on their faces. Malnutrition, disease, hunger, lack of water and overall lack of hope had taken its toll on these people. It was exciting to begin their return to having hope again.

It is amazing to think what a latrine and future water well will do to improve living conditions here. Our work was difficult, using picks, spud bars and shovels; our progress was slow, but consistent. The hole we worked on was about 4 ½ feet deep when we started. The other one was about 2 ½ to 3 feet deep. The Pygmies had started both holes. When we finished for the day, the first hole was 8-8 ½ feet and the second was 5 ½ - 6 feet deep. It was great to work side by side with Gustov, our driver who is Central African, and the Pygmy men. We took turns switching holes and helping the Pygmies with their hole. Everyone jumped right in to work; our unity was awesome. We thank the Lord for the strength to endure. We worked until we ran out of drinking water.

Our work was not without challenges. Not only was the ground hard and dry, but also the people from the Central African village near by came by to see what was going on. Many just watched, but a few others were not happy that we were helping the Pygmies. Some shouted insults; others questioned why we were wasting our time and energy to help the Pygmies. Zacary and Valerie gave the Pygmy kids a soccer ball, but the villagers scoffed saying, "Why did they give this nice ball to the Pygmies? They don't know what to do with it." At the end of the day, I gave one of the Pygmy men my gloves. But soon a villager tried to take them away. I sternly intervened, and the man gave the gloves back. I thank God that we could stand up for the "least of these". The villagers consider the Pygmies almost non-human, but we see them through the eyes of Jesus. We pray for the opportunity to reach out to all the people groups here and to show them the love of Christ.

Tim Harley

February 27, 2007