The poorest of the poor

This has been an emotionally charged day for our team and it is only half over. We traveled about 30 miles outside of Bangui to visit some Pygmy villages. For some of our team members it was the first time ever in their lifetime that they saw raw poverty.

The people in the first village we visited live in squalid conditions, have serious health issues, and walk around with an air of resignation and a sadness on their faces and body postures that we will probably never forget.

I am sure we all have seen poverty before, but you have to be here to understand the sense of helplessness and hopelessness present in this village. We managed to converse with them for a while. We had African men with us and Pastor Tom Peters and they did a great job talking to the people. They live in small huts built from straws, no beds, no furniture, and no possessions to speak of. In addition to that, they only drink rain water because they cannot afford to pay for good water from the village.

I asked the age of one girl who looked to be about 13. The father didn't know. He asked us to ask his wife. She didn't know either. They said she doesn't go to school because they can't afford to pay the fees, she has no "appropriate" clothing to wear and no shoes, and when she was going the kids would pick on her all the time. Pygmies are despised by many people in this country. They have no one to carry their voice, no one to plead their case.

But we know that these are the "least of these," the people God would have us love and serve and do what we can to bring them hope. These are the poorest of the poor, forgotten by the world, but still human beings, made in the image of God.

We were totally overwhelmed with the needs and frankly don't know what to do. But we are asking God to give us wisdom. Would you please pray with us?