Justice and Humility

How does one think about justice and getting one's rights? How does one practice the humility that Christ requires?

In the recent election in Kenya, the strongest opposition party claims that the election was rigged at the last minute in favor of the incumbent. It is important for Kenya to know whether that is true and to find a way to solve the problem that moves the country forward. Forward meaning success in integrating with the outside world and reducing corruption and raising the level of integrity and optimism in the country.

But what does the opposition leader do? To resist the announced results, he must call for protests and put pressure on the government. On an individual level, Jesus calls on his people to practice humility, to accept insults and rejection and bad treatment and respond with love and peace and good will and good treatment of enemies. We understand that and can find ways to practice it. We swallow our pride, accept setbacks and continue with our lives.

What do you do on a national level? Do you practice humility, or do you pressure the government to make changes that will be good for the whole country? It may mean disruptions, riots, police action and suffering for many. The past practice of America has been to be willing to take military and police action to change the world or to hold what is regarded as evil at bay so that it does not take over.

And what does a government do when threatened by opposition? Does it respond with police action and put down protest, or does it allow protest and marches even at the risk of greater unrest?

I would enjoy hearing what our friends think about these issues. My email is charles.coulston@made-in-the-streets.org

From the point of view of Made in the Streets itself, humility is ever our goal. We do not seek to affect government or society in any way; we seek to change the lives of individual street kids - to bring them hope and opportunity - to help them develop spiritually and socially -- to enable them to work and make life better for themselves. As individuals and as a ministry, we seek to accept what comes to us in life and make a difference at the same time.

May all that comes your way to pleasant, and if not, may you find a way through it that brings joy.

Unrest in Kenya

We are sad at any event that creates more trouble for street kids. The unrest at the end of the election in Kenya has led to local riots in several places in Kenya. We are grateful that our center in Kamulu (at the eastern edge of Nairobi, 20 miles from downtown) is isolated enough that there is little likelihood of problems there. What our street kids worry about are their relatives who are in Huruma or Mathare Valley.

It hurts me that Darlene and I are not in Nairobi to go through this with our Team and kids. We love them very much. Life is short, humans are like grass, but our lives mean something when we risk ourselves in order to do good and to work God's will. We know that God wants the street ministry, that it fulfills what Jesus appreciates and wants in the world, and that there are kids on the streets whom God is calling to himself.

God can be trusted to have us in his plan. God can be trusted to keep our hearts and souls safe in Jesus. God can be trusted. So we have peace in this New Year.

Be blessed in the New Year,

charles and darlene