Fences of Brotherly Love

“Our enemies have blinded our cow!” The board members of Gift Academy
wrote to Jeff last month adding that they needed a fence around their
fledgling school to protect the children and the two milk cows.  The
letter indicated that a neighbor had thrown a stone at one of the
cows, hitting it in the head, and damaging its right eye.  “We don’t
know who threw the stone, but this morning the cow was injured!  One
of our enemies has done this and we need to build a fence for
protection from those with bitterness in their hearts.”

Jeff responded.  Rather than build a fence, why not address the
bitterness.  He suggested that a list of family names be compiled with
“enemies” of Gift Academy at the top of the list.  Jesus taught that
we should love our enemies.  In a situation like this, he might have
reminded us that we have heard it said, “an eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth,” but we should forgive those who persecute us and
be kind to those who blind our cow!

Our mission group visited Gift Academy last week.  They have been the
beneficiaries of some contributions from Christians in the States
recently and have built a small one room classroom that also serves as
a dining area, church building, and dormitory for the 25 orphans who
stay there full time.  The milk cows were given to help feed the 40
children learning there.  While there is a genuine need for protection
for these children, nurturing rapport with the neighbors might be a
better way to protect them than a fence.  Claudia and I had the
privilege of visiting 12 of the 20 families on “the list of enemies.”
Before going to the first house, we discussed the fact that all of
these people were God’s children, created in his image, and should not
be referred to as enemies, but rather as neighbors.  The word enemy
was removed from our vocabulary.  In an expression of love for our
neighbors we wanted to bless each home with a gift of a goat.

Seven members of the Board of Directors of the small school/orphanage
walked through the rural shambas (gardens) of maize and vegetables. At
each house we visited, we met a family who worked hard to “make a
living.”  I use these words in a literal sense, for without the daily
attention to the gardens, “ketch kayogi,” hunger bites them.  In fact
we met several people named Aketch and Oketch, names given to a girl
or boy born during a time of extreme hunger.

We explained that we are Christians and we take the teachings of Jesus
very seriously.  He tells us to love our neighbors.  The donors
helping Gift Academy and Sam’s Place want to be a blessing to the
people in the entire community.  The reason the board chose the name
“Gift” is not because they want to receive gifts, but rather give
blessings to the people in the neighborhood.  We wanted to present
them with a female goat.  Although the goat is free, we do make one
request.  That the first born kid of the nanny be given to another
neighbor, and this family would respond the same way so that this gift
can continue to bless the community for many years.  This “pay it
forward” goat project was warmly received.

In each house, we prayed for blessings from God, and left with
confidence that we had made new friends.  Everyone expressed joy and
excitement, indicating that this is the way communities should be,
neighbors helping one another.  Gift Academy no longer wants a fence.
But they are thinking about a goat pen!



Stephen Greek