I’m reading a book called “The Poor Will be Glad” by Peter Greer and Phil Smith. The basis of the book is using that microfinance and employment-based solutions to eradicate poverty. In Canada we don’t even know what it means to live in Poverty. Even the poorest of the poor in Canada are living a much much higher standard of living than some of the more well off people in developing countries. Last year my income put me below the Canadian poverty line, but I still managed to have a insulated, heated house to live in, clean water to drink, healthy food to eat, a car to drive and access to many luxuries such as TV, internet, movies etc. Here are some statistics about what it really means to live in poverty:
- In developing counties 850 million people go to bed hungry every night
- 11 million children die everyday before reaching their 5th birthday
- 20% of the world does not have access to clean water
- In the developing world diarrhea kills between 1.6 and 2.5 million children every year
- In the least developed countries the literacy rate is 51%
- In Swaziland the average life expectancy is 30 years old
- More than half of all Africans do not have access to modern health facilities. As a result more there are more than 10 million annual deaths from the four most common preventable diseases: diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and measles.
- One billion people in the world live on less than $1 per day
- Two billion people live on $1 to $2 per day
- One billion people live on $2 to $4 per day
How can we know these statistics and not do anything about it? We can’t. Jesus left us with the Great Commission and the Greatest Commandment. He demonstrated the perfect harmony of the two through his life and ministry. He proclaimed the good news and made disciples and He loved others by healing their sicknesses, feeding them and setting them free.
We all can’t help but know that the Olympics are going on right now; especially if you live in Vancouver. Do you think that people who live in developing countries know? Or care? If India wins a gold medal will that help the Dalits? I don’t want to disrespect the athletes because I sure am not out there winning a gold medal for Canada, but seriously what’s it all for? How much did Vancouver pump into the city getting it ready to shine for the rest of the world and for what? For the entertainment of us sitting on our couches at home. It just makes me nutty that some of these athletes will make huge sums of money on endorsements because they are “heros” to their country. What about the real heros? It all seems so backwards. But we do live in a backwards world. We can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth by doing something that matters…and I mean REALLY matters! God gave us all gifts, talents and abilities that we can use for His glory, so use them!
Photos by weheartit
Adventures in Darcie's Head 
I understand where you’re coming from. However, some athletes come from the slums and they slowly earn their way up through hard work. In my opinion, our anger should be directed towards corrupt politicians and businessmen. If we combine the wealth of the 7 richest men in the world, we can alleviate poverty. That’s how much power they have. They should get the responsibility too. Aid agencies pump in millions of dollars but it all goes into private bank accounts of people with ‘connections’. Now that makes me mad.