Who/What are the Margins?

The margins are the fringe of society. It differs from culture to culture. In Ukraine it is the people that very few want to deal with. Kids who live on the street...Drunks...Drug addicts...People who are dying - both physically and spiritually. There are no really good numbers available to quantify these groups in Ukraine. The government would like to pretend that they are not dirtying up their society and from an onlookers perspective, are hopeful that 'they' will be eliminated through some sort of a natural cleansing process of sorts.

The margins are often people who live with a very close understanding of death. Tonight I went to the World Vision "Experience Africa" exhibit that is touring the country. You check in and get a headset. You then proceed to walk trough while listening to a story of a child from Africa. I fought back tears frequently as I was reminded that she understood the brevity of life. Her father died when she was 5 and then her mother became ill later. I don't want to ruin the experience for those who may go. I will say that the journey was powerful. Maybe in part because I can vividly see many in my mind who have been diagnosed with AIDS. When I hear a child's story from Africa I am reminded of Ukrainians that I know who have also waited in a clinic for test results. They stamped my hand positive when I placed it on a counter... as a part of an experience... I know people who in real life have been stamped with a red HIV + sign and live out the consequences daily.

I wanted to go through to hear another story. But, I couldn't quite do it back to back. I hope to make it back some other night this week. I would strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to visit the Africa experience to do so. It is being set up in different locations across America. This week it is at Fair Haven Ministries in Hudsonville daily from 10 am - 8 pm. Walk through and think about who the margins represent. Will you join me in serving the least of these in Ukraine in Jesus' name?