Challenged

Everyday here in Uganda I see beggars of all ages; men, women and children. It breaks my heart, especially to see children begging. These children deserve the chance to be a child, to play, to laugh, to dance, to learn, to have an education and to be loved. Many times children are taken from villages or sold by their parents to men that than bring them to the city to ‘earn’ money, only to give the money they ‘earned’ to their boss. Men and women with deformities, disabled or without limbs deserve some dignity.

Everyone here says not to give money to beggars, as money doesn’t fix anything. It’s true money doesn’t fix the self-mutalation, the child slavery, the drunkness that thrives amongst some of the beggars. Living here I have somewhat come accustomed to their way of life and accepted it. Sometimes I get so angry when I know and can see it’s all an act. 

But I was extremely challenged this week when I was having time with God.

Acts 3:2-7

‘Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put everyday to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 

Everyday people walked straight past the crippled man on their way to worship God. Some may have given him money but many may have just walked straight past without even an acknowledgement. The thing that God challenged me with the most with was the fact that the people where on their way to worship God, but couldn’t even stop for broken. 

God challenged me to be Peter and John, to take hold of the precious gift Jesus left behind, the Holy Spirit and simply pray with the lost, the broken, the unloved. When doing home visits in the slums I sit and pray with Mama’s and their children. Why not sit and pray with the beggars? How can I say that I love Jesus, if I simply walk by!