What is Poverty?

When I was in Tchaguine, I met a 40 year old woman named Masana. She hadn't eaten solid food or drank much of anything for 4 months. Her family kept her in the hut while she practically rotted away from a disease that no one cared to treat. When Diane and I went to visit her, it was much too late to restore her physical health. But as we sat there, flies swarming, the smell of months of urine seeping through the grass mat, Masana was living in what was closest to hell you could get on earth. We prayed with her, Diane read stories from the Bible to her, and she acknowledged (as much as anyone who is half-dead can) that Jesus is the Savior.

Yesterday, I was at my uncle's retirement party. The food was great, and there was such an abundance that the waiters and waitresses would come around and pick up the empty plates as people went up to get more food. As I sat there, looking down at my mashed potatoes, fried chicken, pasta and breadsticks, Masana flashed into my mind. In that moment I realized something. We were living in what was closest to heaven as you could get on earth, but some people in the room may not ever accept Jesus.

So who is poor?