Blessed Beggars

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

I traveled to Kenya during the past week. Not in body, but in spirit. Images described and photos posted by the Compassion Bloggers seared my heart. I sloshed through mud and garbage with them. I pinched my nose against the stench of hopelessness. I winced at eating food prepared in and by the unknown.

I heard the soul sobs. I wept.

Poverty. Abject poverty.

Dirt poor.

Crushed.

Powerless.

We have to grasp the tentacles of that kind of physical poverty before we can comprehend what Jesus meant about spiritual poverty.

"Poor" comes from a Greek word that means "to crouch." Those who are poor recognize they are destitute, suffocating with no spirit breath. Helpless. Dying. Hearts as dirty and cluttered as a slum.

 

Until they give up and give over. They creep through the dirt to touch the hem of compassion, beg for a crumb, cringe out of fear. And Compassion Himself reaches down and gives them the kingdom. Someone said the door is low, and only those who crawl can enter. They leave self on the outside. They crouch and receive a crown.

No longer hopeless. Now hope filled. The poor become rich.

Blessed. Happy. Dancing

Like these children in a Compassion International project in the midst of Mathare, the most dangerous slum in Kenya.

Kenyan Song in Mathare from Ryan Detzel on Vimeo.

John Bunyan wrote, "Christ makes princes of beggars."

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Have you recognized your poverty? Then sing!

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

Go Here. I Dare You!

If you don't want to be uncomfortable, don't go here.

If you don't want to weep, don't go here.

If you want to see some beautiful pictures, go here.

If you want to read about an organization and a group of bloggers who are being changed, go here.

If you want to feel like you're there with them, go here

If you want to behold God and see how you can make a difference, go here.

If you want to see how others can sing and dance in spite of their circumstances, go here.

If you want to gain a new perspective on your own circumstances, go here.

Because here you'll find links to posts by some who are experiencing poverty up close and personal for the next week. They're sharing sights and sounds and smells and tears and joys. They're sharing their hearts.

Because they are beholding God in Kenya. They are beholding God in poverty. They are beholding God in the faces of children.

They are beholding God through Compassion.

I'm especially interested in this trip because we sponsor a child, a girl, here. I wish I was a part of it. But I am going vicariously.

You can, too.

Travel here.

Every day.

All week.

And experience discomfort. Let yourself weep and your heart break. Enjoy the photos. Behold God at work in the midst. And be challenged to join Him.

Here. Now.

I dare you.

Did you go here? How were you touched? How will you respond?

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves . . . Defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King