How I'm Trying To Help

Hi -

Every Saturday I get together with a dozen or so Venezuelan immigrant street vendors/musicians to eat lunch and study the Bible. In the midst of their day to day struggle to survive, it's nice for them to get out of the sun and eat a nice meal in an air-conditioned room where they can find support and camaraderie. Teaching them Biblical principles about work, and occasionally investing in small entrepreneurial projects is a good way to help my friends out, without creating a long-term dependency. We also pray and ask God to guide us and open doors, recognizing that ultimately, every good gift comes from above (James 1:17).

Saturday support lunch

It's tough sometimes to know how to help, and I've made a lot of mistakes, but with each mistake I want to learn how to do better. I really like 1 Thessalonians 5:14 which says, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

Devotional before lunch

There isn't any one formula to help all people who are struggling economically, and it takes a lot of wisdom to discern what is the right way and what isn't... Some people need to get kicked in the butt, others need to be encouraged, and still others need immediate solutions to very precarious situations. Sometimes I'm haunted by the thought of not having helped someone or a whole family enough, and it can be tempting to just throw in the towel altogether and try to ignore people's tragic reality, or detach myself from it. 

Friends Hugo and Lili praying with a struggling Venezuelan family

On the flip side, it's scary to think that I could have some kind of savior complex where I can start to believe that I'm the solution to everyone's problems. In fact, in a lot of cases, what I really need to do is just learn from my Venezuelan friends, and tell them about my own struggles. Sometimes, people don't even want me to give them money or things like that, rather, what they really want is to be heard and dignified and honored with my friendship.      

Friends

Even though my priority is to preach the gospel and establish a Bible believing church, there is an element to that that must be tangible (Isaiah 61:1-2a), and I certainly can't come up with some kind of quid pro quo where I'm only going to help others if they are Christian or they come to our Sunday morning gatherings... Nevertheless, I especially need to be sensitive to those of the household of faith, and never grow weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9-11). 

The Refuge Church in Cucuta, Colombia consisting primarily of Venezuelan immigrants

One of my friends that I'm helping out came once to our Saturday lunch and then came to our Sunday gathering a couple weeks later. I asked him why he didn't come back to the Saturday lunch, and he told me that he didn't think it was right if he didn't put God first. Wow! ...He gets around in a wheel chair and sells candy on the streets, and his wife has a little store in the entrance to their house. I told them that all the money they save up to invest in the products they sell in the store, I'll match. They are grateful, and I'm grateful to them, because they wanted to host a Bible Study in their shop, and so every Monday I meet with them there, along with their neighbors, who have also started coming to our church.      

Bible Study in George's house

Other friends I've helped out by buying portable speakers that they use to sing on the street with, and I've bought perfume if they sell that, or guitars, or a bike, or rat poison in one case - for a guy who wanted to start a rat and pest eradication business. I've bought other people food and medications, especially if they're heading back to Venezuela to provide for their families; and I've also replenished water supplies or bread if that's what they sell. I've given my friends hats and shirts and tennis shoes, and suitcases as well as just straight up cash. I'll often invite them out for a bite to eat, or let them rest in my apartment, or take them to the mall to eat ice cream. 

The most important thing I can give my friends though is my love, because without it I have nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). 

That, as well as tell them about how God demonstrated His own love towards us: in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).   

-Sam
Missionary Profile: https://www.cmml.us/node/817