Times Of Swaziland: DO WE CARE ABOUT THE HOMELESS

DO WE CARE ABOUT THE HOMELESS
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The Editor on 28/10/2018 05:07:00


Sir,
“When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
‘See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down,
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet?
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
“Since I, who was undone and lost,
Have pardon through his name and word;
Forbid it, then, that I should boast,
Save in the cross of Christ, my Lord.
“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all.....”
Extracted from Hymn 99, Seventh Day Adventist songbook.
worldly possessions
This is a song that never fails to evoke tears of sorrow whenever it is sung
during any Sabbath service in our church.
Christ, in His splendour and glory, was never a man full of pride when He graced
the shores of this sinful and broken world. He was humble, compassionate and
always frowned upon the practice of haughty behaviour.
How I wish we could all follow in His footsteps and forsake the pride and
haughtiness we see in all humanity these days.People are proud because they
possess opulent worldly possessions which are here today and gone tomorrow and
do not want to share the surplus of their riches with the less fortunate.
I walk the streets of Manzini every day in the early hours of the morning and my
heart is always torn into shreds when I see beggars, the homeless, rolled up and
sleeping in front of shop fronts, covering themselves with flimsy, soiled and
torn blankets, oblivious of the early morning chill. I always ask myself
questions like: who are these people? Do they have relatives? If so, do the
relatives know or care about the plight and suffering these people go through
every night as sleep out in the cold after foraging for survival in the
unfriendly and hostile streets of Manzini?
Does our government care about the plight of these people? Are they merely
regarded as part of the face of the city,with no second thought given to their
plight?
As I watch some of them rummag ing for discarded food in the city’s dustbins,
I always ask myself: does anyone care when these poor souls fight for scraps of
food side by side with nocturnal scavengers?
atonement sacrifice
As the song is sung in our church, I always marvel at Christ’s sacrifice on
the cross,as an atonement sacrifice for our sins and feel shame that as
humans,we never give a second thought to these people who daily roam the
streets,with no shelter and barely sleep on full stomachs. I always muse to
myself when we avoid them and cross to the other side of the street because of
their perceived lunatic status, lest they jump on us and tear us into pieces.
Christ died for all mankind - for the rich, the struggling in life, the blind,
the handicapped, the able-bodied, the famous, the nondescript, the kings,queens,
presidents...in short, He selflessly denied Himself on the cross so that you and
me could have life.
Can we not, as part of God’s creation, think of these poor souls, band and
rally together, solicit funds, donate in kind or in whatever form, with whatever
means and at least build a home for the destitute, the aged, who are wallowing
in a cesspool of poverty countrywide? When we eat our sumptuous meals during the
evenings, do we ever give a thought for these people?
sumptuous supper
As I sing this song, I never fail to think of the sacrifice, the shame, the pain
our Prince of Peace suffered on the cross...for you and me,so that we can have
life. What prevents us maSwati from denying ourselves like our Saviour did and
pulls our resources together and do something for these people?As you eat your
appetising and sumptuous supper, and have your fill and throwing the leftovers
to your dogs...do you ever think of how these scavengers can best use the
leftovers?
I always shudder when I think, as they forage for food in smelly and putrid
dustbins, how hygienic is the stuff they consume?
I implore the incoming new government, as well as all our people who value
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross...to give a thought for these people, instead
of avoiding and not wanting to touch them even with the longest barge
pole....lest they ‘contaminate’ us...Remember how Lot and Abraham
entertained angels...without knowing?
I am not judging...but let’s think for these poor souls. In a month’s time
or so, we will be feasting on a variety of mouth-watering meals during the
festive season. As we make preparations for that special day...let’s not only
spare a thought for these people...but DO something for them.
Is this asking for too much, my fellow Emaswati? Remember, we were all made in
‘His likeness and image...’.Shalom....!
Alex Nxumalo 76058449