August 2010

Dear friends,

In Children’s Church, I was playing a game with the 9-12 year olds. Three groups had each been given a handful of (play) money with which to purchase the “canasta básica”, the basic needs of their family for the month. One group received ¢100,000 colones (about $200), another ¢50,000 colones ($100) and the third ¢10,000 colones ($20). They had items on the table and a purchase order to add up their expenses. The third group, as you can imagine, finished rather quickly, buying only rice and beans and tuna fish, with no money left to pay the electricity or water bills, much less to buy meat or new clothes or to pay the medical bills. But the first group asked me for help. “We have bought everything we need, but we still have money left over. What should we do with it?”  Faithful to the game, I told them that they had to spend all the money. A bit uncomfortable with my answer, they nevertheless bought cable TV and internet.

Afterwards, we discussed the game. How had they felt? The group with ¢10,000 was upset. How could they possibly manage on so little money? What would they do without water? When I asked if this related to real life, they all agreed that this was the situation in Costa Rica, many people without jobs or income, struggling to survive on almost nothing.  So I asked, “How could we have changed the game to have it come out differently?”  Instantly the first group responded, “We could have shared, because we had more than we needed. Then the others would have water and electricity.”  They understood that this is the way it works in real life too, because they have experienced it in their church. Some of them have received and others given, as various families have faced unemployment and others abundance.  The concept of solidarity is fundamental to the Christian community, sharing our abundance that others might live with dignity.

I met some Christians a while ago who said that they were trying to earn more money. . . so that they could give away more because the needs are so great! That’s a couple who lives in the heart of God, who understands what God wants for our world.

I am so grateful that you give, some of your abundance and other sacrificially, so that my missionary colleagues and I can serve around the world. The World Mission Offering is approaching in the midst of an unprecedented number of natural disasters that only deepen the misery of people already living on the edge.  As the children at the church understood, there are enough resources for all if those who have plenty share with those who have little.

Together with you in ministry,

Ruth Mooney