Reading and Seeing Proverbs

This morning I read this ancient Hebrew proverb, and it has been stuck in my mind all morning. The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. It stirred me so much I figured I would tweet it and share it with others too, but here's why I think it had the affect that it did.

As you probably know, I work for a non-profit that helps rural communities living in extreme poverty lift themselves out of extreme poverty in a period of five years or less. It's called Nuru International. It was started by two really great friends of mine who I've known for half of my life. The organization is called Nuru International, and if you haven't already, you should check it out because it's doing some pretty amazing work--and it's proving ancient Hebrew proverbs true.

You see, in the communities where Nuru is now working, there are a number of farmers. Before Nuru arrived, these farmers would produce one to three bags of maize per acre of their land, which isn't enough to feed their family through the following growing season. These people were malnourished and living without opportunities. At one time their land had sustained the entire community, but after colonization, this community was converted to be tobacco farmers, and the land began to lose it's vitality for growing crops. These people had lost a very productive way of life, and because they were "off the radar" of the rest of the world, suffered the injustice of a lack of opportunities and livelihood because they lived in extreme poverty.


Less than two years ago, the Nuru's first foundation team arrived in the community and began to listen to the unique problems of the community from agriculture to water and healthcare. The staff of Nuru came alongside the people of Kuria, Kenya and helped them to begin the process of lifting themselves out of extreme poverty. Nobody should have to suffer like these people did and many others do on a daily basis.

As a result of somebody caring enough to come alongside this community, the fallow ground of these poor farmers is now producing 12-15 bags of maize per acre. When we come face-to-face with injustice, and choose the way of justice changes happen. People are empowered and have opportunities and choices where at one time there was despair and oppression.

Now it can be said, The fallow ground of the poor does yield much food, when injustice is swept away!

Will you consider joining Nuru in its efforts to end extreme poverty?

As you go about your day today, may you look for ways to sweep away injustice so that the potential of others may be fully realized.