It is very accurate what pastor Massa and Dr Paul Taylor have written. And both thoughts complete each other. Read the messages below.
The roots of the orphan-hood in a nation like Burundi are of a kind and sadly there are other kind of roots of orphan-hood in US and Brazil. The tragedy in Burundi is that social and political arrest generates thousands of orphans. The tragedy in Syria, Iraq... They are generated by war and ISIL. In Burundi is it is very similar. Their parents are killed and then you see refugees and orphans in thousands. In America and Brazil there thousands, if not, millions of orphans, but of living parents whom by their lifestyles disown their roles as parents and millions of children and young adults are equally orphans in the midst of financial wealth. So sad and disturbing. The people everywhere need the Father.
Yes, we have to give orphans even little of what we have, it is called sharing or apportion.
In the last days I have been thinking a lot over these matters. Before I slept last night I was praying about it. There was a cry for a need that came from Uganda. It is an specific request from a brother and also about a whole refugees camp without enough food to feed the people and they are suffering of malnutrition. Dr Taylor and I can't solve directly the problem.
I was thinking of some of the needs that I am aware in Brazil, India, Burundi and from other places and even here in the United States, and Dr. Taylor is right, there would not be enough money in our bank accounts to supply all these immediate needs.
Some of these people who ask us for help, to supply resources to pay college, to buy clothes for their children, to feed the refugees, to provide for orphanages, to pay for tuition in Bible colleges, to pay their airfare tickets, to provide for their families as missionaries, to support police associations, to give money for political campaigns in US and in Brazil, you name, just to mention some, we know, that during the years hundreds of requests came to our desks, and to most of them we said no and some of the people got very frustrated with our response.
If I was leaving in Brazil XX money should be necessary to support my family and I would provide for my family through my work. In US to provide for my family I need XXXXX money, if in Burundi I would probably need X money. There are different levels of income to live in different countries.
Dr. Taylor's and in my case the resources we generate from our work provide for our families and we also distribute part to attend the needs that come to our knowledge from the people we are related to. The needs are far more great that what we can supply. Why I am sharing this? I am bringing to each of you an understanding that will give a perspective on these matters that some of you may not have.
Everyday we are challenged by many problems related to our families, work, church, community and nation. I have been guided by a simply statement that has helped to calm down my frustrations of not being able to respond to every need that comes to my knowledge: A problem that I can't solve it is not mine.
It does not mean I would ignore it. The greatest participation I can have is prayer. When I pray I bring God into it. When I pray God partners with me for it. When I pray I offer myself to God if He wants to use me to solve it.
There is enough land and water in Burundi to supply all needs of all orphans in Burundi. What are the issues that hinder distribution of food and inclusion of all people in the wealth of a nation?
The communist ideology would say to take from the rich and give to the poor. That is stupidity. You would be bringing total poverty to the whole country.
Other would say that the government should supply for all poor. That is also stupid, because people would loose their freedom as they would become dependent of the political power.
Others may say that the Christian churches or other churches (religion) should concentrate their efforts to eradicate poverty at least among their members. Would be this a solution?
I want to offer some ideas for you to start to think and meditate with God to bring up solutions.
1 - The worst kind of poverty resides in the mind. A poverty mentality is the worse hindrance for personal and community development. We have to break free from dependence to interdependence.
The English clubs with their more than 8500 volunteers is a huge development platform that can promote a big change in the nation of Burundi in 5 years. And it will come with sharing of education principles to foster creativity, community involvement, interdependent relationships and practical solutions implementation in every community.
2 - The strategy of groups can be implemented in every aspect like Business clubs, Literacy clubs, Mothers clubs, Community problems solving clubs and other types of groups.
3 - There are disciples of Jesus in Burundi that are placed already in all spheres of society. The understanding of their roles in Transforming Burundi must evolve in practical work. This is already happening. That is how I see BFI groups in Education and in Business. But the most essential work is to disciple every Burundian with the Gospel of Jesus and set them free of the Christian religion and all religious practices.
4 - Political participation must be to help the community and not to fight for political parties agenda. We must defend policies and not personal agendas.
5 - The teaching of seeds shared a couple months ago is crucial for what you do. (Read here). Most of us are dreamers and talkers and not doers. Religious people preach sermons, disciples of Jesus live His message.
I hope we can go on with this discussion in the next days.
Thank you, pastor Massa for bringing the subject. I have more to share in these matters, but we want to hear from you.
Our desire is to come to Burundi one day very soon to think and do the impossible together, to get together for a round table to know each other and be a blessing for the whole nation.
Other participants of REAL that are not from Burundi are equally interested to be part of this transformation. We can pray, educate and do something together.
Dr Josimar Salum
Pastor Massa Zebron:
Being an Orphan is not a choice every child makes and no parent wants to live there Children in the world alone. Orphans are inocent souls and the world is becoming so cruel to them. we should not wait for God to drop manna from heaven so we can feed and help them. All we need is a true heart of Jesus Christ who lives in us to care for those who need love like we do. Lets teach our brothers and sisters that GOD IS THE MASTER PARENT and that can only be done by us because GOD is in us. They might seem dirty ugly to human minds but to CHRIST in us they are God's rightousness. Lets not wait for the world to help our brothers and sisters, lets help them be happy and loved with the little we have. that which u see as the smallest is the greatest if it comes from your heart. The scriptures say the old woman who gave the smallest and last coin she had gave the most.. It breaks my heart to see these children suffer because they dont have parents. Lets help with what we have and when we can. I pray that GOD blesses us
Dr. Paul Taylor:
You are so right my brother. We can all give some, but the answer is not simply giving money. This has been done for a long time in Africa and it has done little to change the circumstances of these innocent children.
The answer is helping people to discover who they are in Christ and what their purpose is on the earth. This includes orphans!
There are no mistake births in this world. We are created in God before the foundation of the world. God has used orphans to change nations!!! We must invest in these children and educate them so they can become solutions to the problems in their world. We must help people start businesses to support themselves because there is not enough money to give to support them and even then we are teaching them to depend on others.
I am praying how REAL can be a solution to this problem.
Let us believe for the impossible.
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