Moral dilemmi
Really struggling today with having someone help in the house. I know some of you are thinking how hard can your life be if that's what you're worried about, but it is an issue. Don't get me wrong it's great having someone to help, but it just feels so wrong. It feels so colonial having a black person slaving away in the kitchen doing all the jobs I would normally do at home. It's also really strange having someone else in your house all day, who you don't really know, but is more at home in the house than you are. I can't help thinking: "When she goes home does she have to start cooking her meal and cleaning her house and what is she thinking when she cooks our meals? Can she afford to eat meat, where does she live, what are her living conditions like, what does she think of me?" I worked really hard this morning dusting, cleaning floors, mopping, washing etc.. You don't really feel you can sit down and have a coffee when she's working so hard. At the same time I don't think I could cope without the help and she is glad of the job. There is already a queue of people hoping to be employed when we move into our own house. I don't think I would feel so bad about this it if we were actually earning money rather than being supported by people at home. How do you guys feel about it? Just trying to work out my place as a human being/christian/in this society.
It's just so bizzare going from Mrs Joe regular at home to being one of the elite in society. It's very different when the developing world is in your house and outside your front door not just on your TV screens. Also what do we do about all the beggars. As soon as you start giving out money you get a reputation, and the world and his dog comes to ask you for money. So far we have said 'no', while we work out a strategy. What do you guys think, it's your money? I keep thinking about those verses - When I was hungry etc..
{Daniel's comment - the other argument you always get given is that you can't tell who are genuinely poor people, and who are professional beggars - who may not actually 'need' the money, and who probably don't get to keep what you give them anyway. The recommended route is to give to churches and other charities who have programmes for helping the homeless and poor. And/or to give people food rather than money. Tricky}
posted by Daniel & Libby @ 2:24 pm
5 comments
5 Comments:
would it help to read Philemon? I mean, I know she's not a slave, but maybe hired help is a modern equivalent.
Also think of it as a time warp. Many of your ancestors probably went into service and they didn't think it was strange,they were glad to be employed. I expect they judged their employers by whether they were courteous and fair, etc.How would you want to be treated?
As to the beggars,you will need to pray about that one.Derek and Carol decided to give to 'whoever asked' in London. I'm not sure if they changed their minds when they saw the same guy in a suit and using a mobile! I would think that others at MAF would give good advice for what's appropriate there, and perhaps even your home help. Giving through charities does seem sensible.
Mum S
You're supporting the local economy and to quote Ben approximately, whatever is gifted to you can be used to bless others. Many people in this country work hard all day, then go home to cook,wash, clean etc. and many don't earn much relative to our economy. The colonial attitude was one of superiority, yours is humble appreciation. None of us is self-sufficient. By giving this lady employment you are helping her to provide for her family and she is helping you to provide for your family in a different way. No condemnation, it's to enable you to function in a different culture and climate.
See it as God's blessing to you who provides in unexpected ways. He knows what living in Africa entails and that you are not used to all the long processes before doing anything. He knows that you need the help-you haven't got grandparents popping over to do it instead! The ladies are probably just seeing it as a job and not judging you at all. Brazil was the same. It sounds a humbling experience-being helped all the time is.... but humbling (not humiliating!) experiences are always a good thing however uncomfortable.
Hi Guys. When I was a Cleaner in the N.A.T.O. camp I didn't feel judged.(and some of those guys were very well off) I was glad of the money, and I felt needed and valued. I took great pride in my job, in all the little things no one would notice and the Lord blessed me. I had, had other similar jobs too. And now I employ a window cleanr, if I could aford it I would have a gardener because I think people need jobs and I like gardening so I would like some help. If we all did everything ourselves we'd all be unimployed. Plus haveing help from a local person will build great relationships, people will get to know and trust you. Learn as much as you can from her. I wouldn't think twice about it, don't be tormented by the enemy, praise the Lord she is a blessing. As with begging, I would give to proper chanels, but be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, while remembering that you are saved nothing can snatch you out of God's hands, there is freedom to get it wrong sometimes, just want to have a heart after the Lords own heart.Good Bless x Jane Collier.
If your thinking about it...being sensitive to the people around you that are helping...with a gratefull heart you can't go wrong really. What would Jesus do? I can't imagine he had much money for every needy person either but he was probably more interested in showing people what His Father was like. Your compassion and kindness to people will probably shine through and I think like previous people mentioned the lady who is working for you probably is very glad of work.
I think you guys are doing wonderfully and I'm so proud of you...especailly Libby's drive to the supermarket in a 4 by 4!!
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