inspiring hope into the hopeless

this is a question we are facing.  how do you change communities where the socio-economic/-cultural/-historical and some political strongholds are so strong that it keeps the people and the community from developing and progressing?  it's a problem that we are immersed in.  in this particular community, women are telling us that there's no point in thinking about the future, they laugh when we push them to tell us their dreams, they scoff when we ask them what they hope for their children.  they are defeated... subordinated... powerless... hopeless.  and it's easy to leave those conversations feeling like the situation is indeed hopeless.

but it's not.  as we brainstorm how to empower these women more holistically so that they truly have a say in the family, so they have a hold of their family's finances, so they have the real opportunity to stand up for themselves, for their children, for their community... we can come up with post-it notes galore of ideas... we can research to death best practices and analogous situations... but at the end of the day, the only solution for restoring hope is in Him... in Him alone.  people need to know that He has not given up or forgotten these women and these poor and dirty slums... that there is hope in knowing Him... and that He has given each of them the skills and talents and gifts and a life to live and thrive in their community and in our world.

but how?  how do you restore people's worth.  how do you convince them that they are beautiful, that they are valuable, that they have much to give, that they can dream for themselves and for their families.  how do you convince them that just one of them needs to take a stand for all the women in the community.  how do you tell them that moving out of their community and running away is not the solution?  how?  how do you tell them about Him in a religious and very traditional community that may react negatively towards the Gospel?  it must be lead by Him.

restoring hope in the hopeless... the defeated.  we believe it's possible because of what He has done for us.  but it's going to be hard. it's going to take time.  and it's going to take commitment.  this is nothing new, even though it feels impossible.  in every major milestone in history, someone had to take a stand and lead and be criticized and persecuted for real change to happen... Civil Rights, women's rights, women going to school, even title IX.

the easy thing to do would be to leave the community because of the challenges, but we're in the business of loving His people and helping them break free from poverty.  but poverty is not just an economic problem... rich people can still be poor... poverty encompasses multiple dimensions including physical, spiritual, mental, etc.  breaking free from poverty requires a holistic look at these dimensions and developing and growing those capacities... and so... back to the question... how do we restore hope and dignity in those who are hopeless... we will continue to pray and ponder and brainstorm... and we welcome any ideas and feedback!