A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in an event with the youth at my church called Hunger for Hope.  Similar to <a href="http://www.30hourfamine.org/">World Vision's 30 Hour Famine</a>, we went without food for (you guessed it) 30 hours.  The money we raised went to two of my personal favorite charities: <a href="http://www.childrensrelief.org/">Children's Relief International</a> and the <a href="http://ugandanwaterproject.com/">Ugandan Water Project</a>.

We stayed at the church for the fast.  During that time, there were activities designed to help the participants understand the needs of the people in other countries, notably Mozambique and Uganda.  While that's a good thing, I often find that programs intended to shed light on the plight of "those poor Africans" often strip those same people of their humanity.  They're reduced to nothing more than starving, uneducated people who have no hope without our ministries.  We become the White Saviors of the Savage Brown World.

Not this time.

By far, my favorite moment of Hunger for Hope was meeting <a href="http://leavingournetsbehind.com/">Todd Bush</a> from CRI.  The first time I was introduced to him was during one of the activities.  He had set up a small area outlined with parking cones, representative of the size of a typical hut in parts of Mozambique.  We were taken through a typical day in the life of a family.  What struck me was that at no point did Todd try to make us feel pity for the Mozambiquans.  At the end of his presentation, he said that it would be easy to laugh or feel sorry for people who have to live in such a small space.  He told us that it was important, however, for us to remember that this is someone's <em>home</em>.  Such a simple statement, but it spoke volumes to me.

The word <em>home</em> means much more than "the space we live in."  What Todd said to us meant that we weren't just looking at a hut, or a dwelling, or a place to sleep.  This is where people live, laugh, work, play, create families.  This small enclosure is so much more than a sign of poverty or want.  Todd didn't just remind us not to feel sorry for the people of Mozambique; he reminded us that they are <em>human</em>, and that in humanity there is dignity.

Too often, in our position of privilege, we want to rush in and rescue those we see as less fortunate.  We're moved by heart-wrenching photos of malnourished, fly-covered foreign children.  We believe we must <em>save</em> them from their terrible fate.  What I like about both CRI and UWP is that neither of these charities takes that view of missionary work.  The goal is to work with community leaders in the places they serve, helping those leaders to make real, lasting change while upholding the value of every person.

A friend challenged me at the end of Hunger for Hope.  She said that I should visit Mozambique, and, to quote her, I would "absolutely love it!"  I don't know whether I will or not.  I do know that I will continue to look for ways, whether here or through one of these charities, to honor the human spirit and celebrate the dignity of all.

Where will you seek to respect the worth of those in need?