Lessons learned on poverty

Here are some thoughts I wrote down several weeks ago as I reflected upon ending my 8-months of working with HOPE International and Esperanza Internacional in the Dominican Republic.

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Looking back on these past 8 months, God has taught me so much. But perhaps the most important thing has been to change my concept of poverty. Take a moment to think – how would you define poverty, and what are its causes? Lack of resources? Lack of opportunity? Injustice? Lack of education?

The bible gives us the answer. God created a perfect world, a paradise free from poverty. Deep wholeness and peace – Shalom. Shalom with God. Shalom with oneself. Shalom with others. Shalom with the garden. Peace. Wholeness.

When Adam and Eve sinned, our Shalom was broken. Rebellion against God. Shame of oneself. Enmity and blame between man and woman. A rebellious natural world.

Who will fix this? The Bill Gates Foundation? USAID? HOPE International? There is only one who can:  “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Jesus restores Shalom, first in our hearts, then in our world.

I have learned that for all our strivings it is God who fights poverty. Only he can transform lives. But by His grace he allows us to join with him. In fact he commands us to. All poverty:  spiritual, relational, physical, environmental. As we submit ourselves and act out the values of the Kingdom of God – humility, justice, service, peace – God can and will transform us and our world, restoring his Shalom bit by bit.

This is much greater than an 8-month missions assignment. This is a lifelong responsibility. And it doesn’t just happen in developing nations. In fact, the most developed nations in the world are among the poorest in God’s eyes.

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Thanks for following along during my project with HOPE!  I’ve begun an exciting new job here in the Dominican Republic, working with the economic consulting firm Economi-K. My mission of building God’s kingdom, and my passion for poverty and economic development remain the same! So don’t change that dial…

Tagged as: God, poverty