Seeing the degree of poverty helped us put into perspective that even if neither of us is ever employed again, between the church, our families, and the government, we will still have clean water and food--more than I can say for most of the people I just met.

One brother told of how God stopped him from eating concrete mix as a kid. He had not eaten for six days and found powder he thought might quell his hunger pangs, so he mixed it with water and prepared to eat it when he was interrupted by a knock at the door. He hid the mix under the bed and opened the door to find a man with some groceries. When the boy returned and removed the mixture, he found it hardened. (He later heard on the radio that two children had died from eating concrete mix.) At that point, he realized God had His hand on his life!

My friend, Leani, wrote yesterday from South Africa, and her email included mention of a church there that holds a monthly service where everyone who owns more than one shirt is to bring anything they own in excess of one and give it to somebody with none.

We take a team to Mexico about once a year. And I have to say Africa made Mexico look rich. And it made America look decadent.