Thankfulness: Lace on Iron Sheets

“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

— James 2:15–16

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As we enjoy our Thanksgiving weekend with family and loved ones, let's remember all that we have to be thankful for. We enjoy clean safe water and plentiful food as well as as sanitary and safe living conditions. Below is a story of one of the beneficiaries of the gifts you give to Beyond Vision Foundation. Please consider giving in this season of thankfulness to help keep this important ministry serving these brothers and sisters in need.

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Joshua led the way, weaving carefully between smoldering piles of rubbish and hopping over a narrow channel of raw sewage that flowed past banks of discarded garbage. We passed small roadside stalls displaying a few goods for sale as competing smells filled the air. The stench of sewage and decay was sometimes briefly overtaken by the aroma of sizzling meat or frying bread, only to be quickly replaced by the prevailing odor.

The scene was a striking mix of beauty and hardship. Fresh greens and glossy avocados glistened in the sun while preschoolers tossed bits of trash into the flowing sewer, laughing as the current carried their makeshift toys away. It was a game many of us played as children, though ours were in clean streams rather than polluted sludge.

Stepping into the alley between two rows of shed-like homes brought an unexpected sense of calm. Laundry hung drying in the morning air. The cement walkway was still damp from washing as women swept away water and dirt with quiet diligence.

We followed Joshua to the end of the walkway where he lived with his mother, Mary. The walls of their small home, called “iron sheets” locally, were corrugated metal fastened to a wooden frame on a concrete floor.

Joshua darted past his mother, who greeted us shyly but warmly, and disappeared into the dim interior. As we entered, I noticed that the concrete floor was covered with white vinyl that had been freshly scrubbed. My boots were still caked with mud from the rain, and I immediately wished I could remove them. Mary smiled and motioned for me to keep them on.

The small living area was tidy and welcoming. Two small settees and a coffee table stood near a curtain that concealed the family’s sleeping area. What caught my eye most was the lace. Delicate white lace hung to cover one wall, softening the harsh metal beneath. Every surface was draped with clean fabric, and small decorations added warmth and beauty.

Her only light came from a short candle stub. A single paraffin burner served as her stove, a common but dangerous and smoky method of cooking. The fumes often cause illness and fires are not uncommon.

Miriam, our social worker, explained the intake process as she reviewed the form with Mary. When we reached the questions about income and food security, Mary broke down in tears and stepped quietly behind the curtain. The room fell silent. Brenda and I could feel her pain deeply. Jackie gently motioned for little Joshua to come closer, offering quiet comfort.

Miriam continued softly, explaining that Mary, a widow, is classified as living in extreme poverty. Even her water, which she purchases from an unreliable source, is often contaminated and unsafe.

We provided Mary with full size packages of maize flour, rice, oil, beans, and sugar, which are staple foods in the community, along with soap. It is not usual to buy such big packages at a time, and the surprise and joy on Joshua’s face was evident. Pastor Ken prayed over her family, and I felt led to pray over the food as well, giving thanks to our Great Provider and asking for a multiplication of her resources.

Mary earns about forty dollars a month by collecting bottles to sell, half of which goes toward rent. We hope she can soon join a Livelihood Program through Beyond the Vision to build new skills and improve her circumstances.

We are grateful that her son, Joshua, has access to nutritious meals, safe drinking water, and a quality education at Beyond the Vision Community School. There he is surrounded by caring teachers and friends who believe in his future.

As I left Mary’s home, I was humbled by the dignity she carried in the midst of scarcity. She works hard with what little she has, creating beauty, maintaining order, and striving to give her children opportunities she never had.

Dignity brings hope. And hope changes everything.

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We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 1:3