Showing Kindness in Africa
Kindness in Kenya
One of the most unique and meaningful words in the Greek New Testament is agape. It can be described as the deliberate decision to selflessly—sometimes sacrificially—care about and help others. Early translators chose two words, “charity” (1 Corinthians 13) or “love” (1 Thessalonians 3:12) to convey this distinctive meaning in English. Twentieth century translators consolidated these two into one word, “love.”
The Holy Spirit directed writers of the New Testament to use agape when referring to God’s unchanging attitude toward His Son (John 17:26) and toward us (John 3:16). It is also used regarding His standard for our attitude toward Him (Mark 12:30) and toward others around us (Mark 12:31). In the case of our attitude toward Him, it would be arrogant of us to think we “help” our omnipotent heavenly Father. However, we certainly can and should “serve” Him as an act of our worship (Romans 12:1-8).
When we developed teaching resources here at Mission to Children to be used in cultivating character, we considered the confusing range of meanings associated with “love.” We hunted for a different word that would more clearly convey this concept of a deliberate decision to selflessly care about and help others. We noted the many Old Testament scriptures in which this same attitude of God toward His people has been translated from Hebrew into English as “lovingkindness” (Psalm 36:7, 10 et al.). Following this Old Testament lead, we chose the word “kindness” to communicate this crucial character quality.
“Kindness” is a particularly helpful word to use when we teach those who are not yet familiar with the Bible. You and I demonstrate kindness in various ways. For example, we show kindness when we are friendly to newcomers. We show kindness when we are generous to others who need a bit of our time or resources. We show kindness when we are patient with those who do not think, move, or respond as nimbly as we do. We show kindness when we are compassionate to destitute children and adults.
We also show kindness when we are forgiving toward a person who has somehow offended us. In Genesis 45:3-8 Joseph gave us a clear and challenging example in the way he treated brothers who had sold him into slavery. Years after they betrayed him and lied about it to their father, he had the power and opportunity to absolutely destroy their lives in revenge. Instead, he forgave and protected them from a life-threatening famine.
One of the ways Mission to Children “walks its talk” in this matter of Christlike character is through our long-term kindness toward crippled children in Kenya. Kenyans who survive birth live an average of only 55 years. Recent political crises triggered widespread violence, dislocation, and death. The presidential election at the end of 2007 led to violent outbreaks in 2008 that forced approximately 600,000 citizens to become internally or externally displaced refugees.
If life in Kenya is not easy for a child in excellent physical condition, how much more difficult is it for a youngster who cannot walk or is physically challenged in some other way?
Perhaps you can help us show kindness in Kenya.
