Generosity from those in poverty

In the eyes of a westerner, the people in Kaara were in poverty. Their main source of income was from the food they produced - mainly potatoes. And yet they had such a gift of generosity. 

"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people have their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

 Luke 21:1-4

Like in this verse, the people of Kaara were generous, in their giving to the Church and to us. On a Sunday, collection was taken in Church. Like in the UK money was offered, however contrary to the UK food was also given. This food was then sold off at the end of the service, with members of the congregation buying for each other. And, as a thank you to us, we often received food, like potatoes, pumpkins, beans and cabbages. Staple foods in the area we were in, however once we also received a stick of sugar cane which was  interesting to try and another time a beautiful basket of passion fruits.



However, this offering of food did just occur on a Sunday, whilst we gained a lot of extra food then, people sent us food throughout the week. We would often return to our house to hear that someone had dropped off potatoes/beans/maize, and twice we received a chicken. Ugandans are known for their hospitality, and whilst we were never invited round to someones to eat, they were generous to us in the food that they gave us. Despite us being the richest people around, with plenty of food and variety, they gave us their food to say thank you. And whilst to us, a few potatoes or extra beans was nothing, to them this gift was a lot. And, that is the true meaning of generosity, not how much or what you give but how of much of what you have you give.

Like in the bible passage, the women gave all she had, how often do we as westerners, give only what we can afford to give once we bought food for the week, paid the rent, bought some new clothes, and had a night out. Shouldn't it be the other way round?

Hear are some facts to help put our 'essential' life style into focus.

• It would cost around $9 billion to provide global access to clean water and sanitation.
• Each year Europe spends approximately $11 billion on ice-cream

• One of the biggest diseases in the west is obesity
• And yet, so many families go to bed hungry, unsure when and where their next meal will come from. 

I don't think this is right, so next time you buy and ice-cream or a snack, think about giving the same amount of money to someone else in need.