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On the road for Habitat World, Milana McLead spent the first week of June in Durban, South Africa, reporting on the Jimmy Carter Work Project.
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"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
-Romans 8:24-25
If you think your life won't be touched someday by "the poor"... think again. In fact, four in 10 Americans know someone living in poverty, and nearly half of all American adults are concerned that they will be poor at some point in their lives.
Clearly, poverty is no respecter of persons. There may not be even "six degrees of separation" between any one of us and grinding poverty. Personally, I've skated closer to poverty than I'd like when sudden unemployment came my way. Were it not for a good education and family support, I may have tumbled into the grip of poverty's cycle and not broken out.
So what is the difference between "us" and "them"? Not much. Certainly, good fortune and God's grace play a role. But at the end of the day, we're all part of the same global family, facing similar life challenges.
"Poor people care about many of the same things all of us care about: happiness, family, children, livelihood, peace, security, safety, dignity and respect," states the foreword to Voices of the Poor (see page 18 for related story).
Every time I interview Habitat homeowners, I find their cares, concerns and aspirations to be the same no matter their address, be it in Burlington, Vt., USA; Dunavarsány, Hungary; or Maragondon, the Philippines. Like almost anyone else, they hope for a better life, take joy in their children, value education, work hard for a living and have faith in tomorrow.
That faith-though perhaps different from yours or mine-sustains them through the tough times and gives them grace in the good times.
"I am amazed at how people can still hold on to hope and not give up, at the deep caring and longing of parents for their children, and at the resilience in the human spirit despite the odds," says Voices of the Poor author Deepa Narayan.
The work of Habitat for Humanity builds on that spirit and faith, both literally and figuratively. During the third week of September, affiliates worldwide will celebrate "Building on Faith" week-a tangible expression of the aptly named event. And every day, Habitat brings hope to the many in our global family who are in need of decent, affordable housing.
You can help. Thanks for reading... and for building.
—Milana McLead
