In other communications, we might talk about how many kids attend RUHU schools or how many kids are impacted by medical outreaches. But the true worth of the work we do is captured best in the monthly reports we receive from the RUHU staff.
Racheal is the head social worker at RUHU. Last week she shared her monthly update on the slum outreach ministry. She reports that she found boys sleeping in the slums and others playing cards. She gathered the boys and led some stretching including writing their names with their bodies. They played telephone, whispering words in each other’s ears to see if they could get the secret message passed around the circle.
The boys shared testimonies, which included sharing how God has provided or identifying what they are grateful for. Some reported progress in finding employment, others had been able to learn skills from members of the community. Of course, there were tremendous challenges as well. Life in this slum is hard. Almost impossible.
The new Farm Project reports optimism due to recent rains. They have been busy digging water channels to prevent flooding and create a pond that will be used as part of the farm’s irrigation system. They are employing community members and looking forward to a good cassava harvest.
A new vocational school has been proposed to address the tremendous difficulty of finding employment for our young graduates.
When I’m thinking about how to measure what Beautiful Response does, I often think about the interaction in Luke 7 where John the Baptist’s disciples ask Jesus if he is The One they’ve been looking for. Jesus tells John’s disciples to report what they see and hear. The lame walk, the blind receive sight, the poor have good news preached to them.
How do we measure what we do?
The boys in the slums laugh as they play games. Their stomachs are filled with a hot meal. Girls are given skills so they can find work. Orphans are provided a safe home. An elderly man is given meaningful work at the new farm project. Young men get to hone their agricultural skills in the real world.
The work is not flashy, but it is work worth doing. Thank you for joining us in this all-important work.
Peace,
Caleb
