I just watched BersamaMu on national television (TV3), which is a documentary program on the poor and needy in the country. Today's program was on one indian lady who lives on Jalan Peel, KL. She stays with her ill father and mentally-stricken sister, both of which are unable to work, in a small squatter house. She works as a security guard and traffic safety conductor from 7am-7pm daily in a nearby primary school. This enables her to earn RM800 per month. As she is the only one who is able to work, RM300 is set aside to support her young son who lives with another sister in her hometown in Pahang. Another RM150 is used to pay for medical expenses of both her father and mentally-ill sister. And the remaining RM350 is used for the daily expenditure of the 3 of them. Collecting recyclable cans and bottles for sale enables her to earn another RM40 per month. Doing the math, all they have is RM13 per day for the 3 of them. The house they live in is old and threatens to fall apart each time it rains heavily, with water leaking from the roof. Their daily lives are filled with sorrow and hopelessness.
I was tempted to switch the channel when I turned on the television and saw this program on air. However, something prompted me to continue watching. As I watched, I began to realize, again, how fortunate and blessed I have been, and what a comfortable life I have enjoyed all this while. Really, there's so much that we take for granted.
With these people in need right here in our home land, the call to make a difference becomes even more compelling. Why the need to go for 'missions' abroad, when our own people are still in need of help?
The government should really step up their efforts in helping to eradicate the poor. Newspapers report a reduction in the hardcore poor in the country, and that is great news. But there definitely are many who still could do with the love of God.
Where are His hands and feet?
'For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' -- Matthew 25:42-45
