Desperation

This summer our church sponsored a couple of different mission trips. One was to Paris, France, and the other was to Idaho. Tonight we listened to the two groups report of their trips.

The trip to Paris was an effort to reach out to the North African Muslims who have (mostly illegally) migrated to France in search of work. It is primarily men living in what could best be described as rabbit warren-like apartments. Much of the effort to reach out to these men was met with complete rejection. However, there apparently were many who were open and receptive. In many ways, the situation with these Muslim men in Paris is like the illegal Mexican immigrants in the U.S. They live in extreme poverty conditions hiding from the legal authorities. Much of their income is sent back to their families in their native country. I don't condone their illegal behavior but I do sympathize with their plight. I would do anything to see that my family is cared for -- even to the point of immigrating illegally if I could not afford to do so any other way. Until the situation in their home country is improved, the illegal immigration issue -- both in the U.S. and in France -- will not improve. When you are hungry and desperate you will do what is necessary to survive -- or you will lay down and die.

The Idaho trip also found desperate people. Many of them were Native Americans of Nez Perce descent. The communities were extremely rural and isolated with the majority of the residents living in or near poverty levels. Many families had histories of alcohol and drug abuse. The group that traveled there said that many responded to the care.

There are desperate hurting people everywhere. Many live in poverty, but others live in splendor. Their lives are empty and they are lost. Only the love of God can lift them from their pain.