Friday, December 19, 2008

"In all the relations of life, in all the countries of the world, it is with the oppressed that it is necessary to live: those who are happy and powerful are ignorant of half the feelings and ideas of mankind." Camillo Cavour.


This quote reminded me of Kay Warren, who fit the above catagory until she visited Africa and met the AIDS victims and orphans. She was seriously disturbed and gloriously ruined, as she calls it. I have never known anyone who has visited the oppressed and impoverished that is ever left the same; I would almost call it a second work of grace if I didn't know better.

Photo by Lars Gunnar

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought you would enjoy this quote, as it ties into what you are expressing. It is crude, but in a very thought provoking, necessary, and profound way. While addressing a room full of professing Christians, Tony Campolo said:

“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said "shit" than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

Mel said...

Hi Fred, and Hi Anon,

I loved the post, and the comment. God has truly blessed this world with many different kinds of people, hasn't He? Everyone has a place, everyone fits in somewhere, for the praise of His glorious grace! Hallelujah!

With joy and celebration,

Mel

FCB said...

Hi Anon,

I do enjoy that post, and I must confess that I get a knee jerk reaction to the word shit. I have many years of tradition that have taught me to recoil from evils and this surely must be a great evil because it causes such a reaction in me…….
It reminds me of a quote –

“A murdered man, ten miles away,
Will hardly shake your peace,
Like one red stain upon your hand;
And a tortured child in a distant land
Will never check one smile today,
Or bid one fiddle cease.” Alfred Noyes.

God bless,
Fred


Hi Mel,
Thanks for your comments and your joy, it is always a blessing.
God bless you and your enlarged family, (mom with you)
Fred

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred :)

You have posted a great photo which says all the things elaborated in you post.

Take a look at her. What is her problem? Fear, hunger,thirst, sickness,loneliness,physical abuse,homeless,insecurity?

Excellent post with a disturbing photo which will melt the most hardened hearts.

Best wishes :)