Today, the duality between poverty and uncertainty is on my mind. Does uncertainty cause poverty? Does poverty cause uncertainty? The unreliability of systems that provide an efficient delivery of goods and services and investment definitely leads to poverty-ridden communities. On a personal level, lack of material resources contributes to uncertainty—especially in the housing arena where families relocate frequently from tenuous rental situations. Add on layers of injustice, and you have a recipe for long-term sustained poverty that is difficult to escape.
It’s on my mind today because last summer, my wife Gayle and I made a simple decision to lead a Habitat team to serve in Honduras as a way to celebrate the dual anniversaries of our 60th year on earth and our 30th year with Habitat for Humanity. We learned in December that Habitat Honduras made the decision to suspend hosting teams due potential disruptions arising from a disputed presidential election. Habitat for Humanity International took quick action and re-routed our team to work in Guatemala. Just this week, the U.S. State Department raised its security threat assessment level in Guatemala and based on policy protocol, Habitat International immediately cancelled all trips to Guatemala.
So now our team is headed this weekend to Chacala, Mexico to have the opportunity to work alongside two families helping to finish their much-needed homes. We have been blessed with a team of 20 members heading out this weekend. What an incredibly flexible group that fully understands the concept of “Mission Over Me.” Please keep our team in your prayers that we may serve these families in a way that further empowers them in their journey to a more certain path of opportunity. We appreciate your prayers as well for Habitat for Humanity in Mexico for their quick work to accommodate our volunteers. They have been amazing!
Most especially we ask your prayers for the families who live in the uncertain circumstances that accompany a lack of material resources whether they be in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico or Wake and Johnston counties. Ownership of a home is a major change from the uncertainty of renting and allows families to look forward and take steps toward self-sustainability. This is at the core of the mission of Habitat for Humanity.