A Permanent Pandemic of Hopelessness

Can you believe it? 2021 is almost over! A year ago, we could not wait to close the book on 2020—a year spoiled by fear, sickness, loneliness, and frustration.  

But now, at the end of 2021, many of us still feel afraid, sick, lonely, and frustrated. 

With a pandemic still breathing down our necks, we just want some relief, some hope that it will soon be OVER! 

But this pandemic that has rocked our security is nothing compared to living every day in extreme poverty. Even without the rapidly mutating and spreading coronavirus, those who barely scrape by on less than $2 per day often feel alone, hungry, forgotten, and enslaved in a hopeless situation. 

And those who suffer the worst of poverty’s devastation are women and girls. 

 

If you have been tracking with our End of the Year campaign, we have been highlighting some women and girls who have experienced amazing life transformations because of generous Allies.  

Unfortunately, not all these impoverished ladies receive the tools to break out of destitution. 

So, we should consider… What do women and girls stuck in the clutches of extreme poverty think about as the New Year approaches? Do they make the same kinds of New Year’s resolutions as many of us do—to exercise more, lose weight, get organized, save money, develop a new skill, read a book a month, or live life to the fullest?  

No way! What these precious ladies want most is a reliable source of nutritious food, water, shelter, a sustainable income source, and education that will equip them to pave a path out of generational poverty. 

At Bright Hope, we believe that human beings shouldn’t have to live plagued with hardship and hopelessness. Honestly, it’s just not right. We’re all made in the image of God, dearly loved and with inherent worth. Throughout the Bible, God commands us to care for the poor. We have a choice: will we obey, or not? 

As 2021 gives way to 2022, may we think not only about ourselves, but about how we can elevate the desperate needs of others above our own. And women and girls confined in the darkness of extreme poverty need your help! 

Don’t let the profound truth of Christmas fade as self-focused New Year’s resolutions take first place in our minds. Please consider sharing your treasures with those who have nothing. Especially the women and girls who endure the most of poverty’s burdens. 

Resolve to help today!

 

 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others  more significant than yourselves.

Let each of you look not only to his  own interests, but also the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves,  which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not  count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the  form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form,  he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is  above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven  and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God, the Father.” ~ Philippians 2:3-11 

Malia Rodriguez
Malia Rodriguez

Malia loves serving as a Copywriter for Bright Hope, where she has the privilege to share how God is working among the vulnerable and caring for the extreme poor around the world. As a homeschool mom, Malia strives to develop in her kids compassionate, generous, and caring hearts. Malia and her husband, Matt, live in the Washington, DC area with their son and daughter.