Taken

Kelly and I were on our way out last Thursday for a rare afternoon date, when we were greeted by a well dressed man, named Ronald, who claimed to be looking for fellow students, David and Carolyn Huneycutt. Thinking him to be a pastor or friend of David and Carol, we proceeded to listen to his story:

He was a new Christian, with a sick wife, children to care for, and a job to go to, but with no one to leave his children. His mother-in-law could care for them, but insisted that he bring the children to her. However, he didn’t have the money to pay for the bus fare. He had sought help from the church, but he told us that he had been turned away because he didn’t have an appointment.

Thinking it terrible that this man would have to deal with this problem by himself, we wanted to help as best as we could, since of course he was some acquaintence of a fellow student, so I asked him how much the bus fare was. He told me for the trip there and back I would cost somewhere around $8. Feeling that we couldn’t watch his children for him, I asked Kelly for the money thinking that it was the least that we could do. She gave it to me, but was a bit suspicious of the whole situation. I handed it over and prayed for the man, knowing that time was becoming scarce and believing that we would be providing a tangible proof of the love of God.

We went away happy to have helped Ronald, but questioning our action. Was it the right thing to do? I had satisfied myself with the fact that Jesus himself had gotten involved with physical needs of the people. But we found out the next day that Kelly was right to have been suspicious. In all of our mailboxes was a description and picture of Ronald. You can see the notice by clicking on the picture to the left or clicking here. The suposedly “new Christian” in reality had been hitting the missionary language schools (CINCEL and ILE), preying on students goodwill and desire help out a brother in need. The man probably had robbed several of hundreds of dollars of money with his story, as several fellow students had explained to me that they too had believed his story.

I sat through that moning worship service in disgust. Thinking, “How could a man do such a thing?”, but later disgusted with myself thinking, “How is it that I believed him? Aren’t Christians supposed to be more discerning?” I thought of ways that I could proctect myself in the future, like vowing to never give money to a stranger again, and that might be the course to take, but something inside me hesitates. Shouldn’t we be willing to be vulnerable to those in need?

I think my conclusion, is that giving money, without also being willing to be involved in a relationship with the individual is always a bad policy. If we had offered to watch the man’s four children, we would have had to possibly rearrange our schedule, but we would have called his bluff. Still, if the man had a real need, we would have been able to meet it in a more practical and caring way, and perhaps even seen another family being drawn closer to our Savior.

This interaction has left me with much to think about, and the realization that I have much to learn about being a missionary here in Latin America. I’m thankful that God gives on the job training.

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2 comments

  1. Brady’s avatar

    Your experience in no different than many experience here in the States with pan-handlers. In all my years in working with the poor, I have never chosen to give money–a meal, a ride, the item that meets the need, yes those I give. In our charity and love we find it easy to provide money. Although it is the gift of money that allows us to feel as if we have helped, it is seldom the need. James 2 tells us not to simply bless with our words but to put action into our blessing of the poor. I think the gift of money is often a way of feeling like we have blessed someone, but truly meets our need to not be involved. I have often relied on the organization which provide assistance as, just like in this case, they know the people who try to scam.

    Keep the blog going. I love hearing about what’s going on.

  2. Danfucious’s avatar

    Oh man, sure Brady, get all spiritual! Ha! Ha! Here I was going to say something like, “OH, so now I know how you’re using my support money” or something heartwarming and compassionate like that…but then again, that could just be the Kashi oozing out of me. (grin)

    On the serious side, the tough part about getting involved personally when you’re not equipped to do it is that when you do, you also take the chance of placing your family at risk. So, do you open your home up to someone you don’t know…trusting the person ins’t a thief, pedofile or rapist? I’d say “no.”

    However, contributing to an organization that does help the poor (and they typically can stretch your dollars farther than you could), perhaps volunteering some of your time with that organization and then directing those with needs to that organization may be an option to consider…it would probably also better train you to identify between scammers and the real thing. : )

    Anyway, that was a neat story, Dave. Oh, on the way home from Texas, a guy came to me and asked me for money for gas so he could fill up his gas container. Instead, I filled up the gas container for him and gave it to him…scam or not, the way I feel is God knows my heart (why I give) and if someone scams me, well, God knows that person’s heart too.

    Later!

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