Better Off?
I was talking with a friend who has brother in the USA state of California. The brother from California was visiting with my friend and mentioned that he has a "Foster Child" from that state. (Believe me! I think it is a wonderful thing to take care of "fatherless children"! ) But, here is the strange part: He gets $3,400US form the State every month, until the child is 18, plus education benefits and free medical. They came for a visit in Cambodia, he's by all standards, 'a good boy' but the kid lives on his cell phone. Now, here in Cambodia, we'll put over 30 kids in one church home for $1500 per month ($50 per child per month) and we have a great deal of trouble raising that. Trust me, I am not complaining, I just want you to see something! So, don't quit reading! Because we have such little support, our kids all go to public school, they have morning devotions before they go, they do their own laundry and the older students do the laundry for the kids that are too young. Every child has chores, they feed the fish, tend the livestock, care for the garden, wash the dishes, clean the toilets, cut the grass, and participate in some form of ministry in the church, (music, dance, teaching, greeting, janitorial, etc). Now, they have food, clothing, a bed, and a doctor who oversees them, but FCOP can't afford cellphones, they have no internet, no TV in their rooms, they do their home work from these strange things called "books". They are poor, but loved, and have a healthy diet; they can't afford junk food. They play games with each other for entertainment, they talk with each other and form deep relationships, they pray and worship together. Now, which type of child is going to make the best citizen? We all want what is best for our children, but is more always better?? Proverbs Chapter 30 has a quote: "Give me neither poverty nor riches—Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God." If I had a choice between the two, I'd take our simplicity before the USA affluence any day!
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