Two Cultures, Same Dreams, Same God

Published by Paul on

What do impoverished Ethiopians and homeless men in Bellevue, WA have in common?  Our NGO, Living Perspectives, serves both by bringing education, empowerment and encouragement. Those individuals beings served, though separated by a 21 hour air journey and a seemingly different culture, have the same challenges and aspirations expressed in different ways. They aspire to a better life, productive work and peace of mind.

I just returned from Ethiopia where we have created jobs for the poor, shared the gospel with men prisoners in a regional prison, starting a vocational sewing program for women inmates in the same prison, and met with officials of the school we built for the poorest of the poor families.

As spiritual director and board member of Congregations for the Homeless, an outreach to homeless men in Bellevue, WA, I have the privilege to mentor these men, co-lead a twice a week Bible study and bring counsel and hope.

It is a privilege to educate, equip and encourage Ethiopians and homeless men who are seeking productive lives and sharing God’s love for them.  This kind of outreach brings hope and pathways for progress not just the “social justice” mantra that is more political than practical.

This Thanksgiving season, I am praising God for the poor, the prisoners and the widows he has placed in our life.  Through God’s word we are enjoined to help the poor, visit the prisoners, and take care of the widows and the orphans.  I rejoice this year as being a soldier in God’s army to bring hope to those who have poverty of possessions, body and spirit.

“If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.” Deuteronomy 15:7

 

Poor children Dilla

 

 

 

Inmate Chapel

 

 

 

 

 


Paul

Paul founded his consulting practice, Career Life Institute, in 1992, and the Living Perspectives ministry in 1982. He has mentored hundreds of life coaching clients and assisted numerous organizations with strategic planning. Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and has written a book, How a Man Handles Conflict at Work. Paul has ministered in E. Europe, and in Ethiopia since 2004 (microfinance, education, and prisons). Currently his active mentoring ministry is in Seattle to individuals and Christian non-profit organizations. He spent 16 years as a leader/volunteer with Congregations for the Homeless in Bellevue and is currently involved in working with those praying for revival in the Greater Seattle area and bringing opportunity to different populations in S. Seattle.