A good read

I think a lot of us crave good news. This book is from 2009, but it has great stories of real lives all over the world. This author is thoughtful and reflective and writes in a very creative way to weave a story of connected global lives. One of the chapters is called Catastrophe and really hit the spot for me. She is a good writer and put to paper what is in my experience and heart.

“When newscasters broadcast photos of a tidal wave or a famine, our churches often will send money. Yet the larger catastrophe is the silent hunger, sickness and death that go on year after year. To a significant degree these evils are preventable. This is a huge material-physical disaster, whether or not it is covered in the news. I have lived through devastating typhoons in the Philippines. But those storms didn’t scare and sear me as much as one Christian woman I met in a fishing village.

‘I’m in pain,’ she grimaced as we threaded our way between bamboo houses.

‘What’s the problem? ‘ I asked.

‘Urinary tract infection.’

‘Can’t you get medicine?’

‘Yes, I‘m saving money from our catch every day. So, in twenty-five days I’ll have enough for the pills.’

My sister. Subject to an indignity of pain and waiting that I would never tolerate. After all, I have my rights. This little incident crystalized something for me. Catastrophe is not always big drama. Sometimes it is just routine suffering that could be stopped and isn’t.”

I really appreciated this story because it put to words what was so difficult about living in Uganda. “routine suffering that could be stopped and isn’t”. Often, I didn’t know how to process what I saw or what to do. It remains an important question. She has an interesting style and method to her story telling and I couldn’t put the book down. I commend it to you.