Ballito church tackles the homeless question

Ballito attracts its fair share of “street dwellers” and street kids that frequent intersections.

There there are also a number of  people who genuinely need a helping hand because something unforeseen has left them desperate to survive.

“The truth is that most of our attempts to help these and other people, may not be helping at all,” said Pastor DJ Ewan from Grace Family Church, Ballito campus.

“Many people think that by rolling down their window and popping a R5 coin into someone’s hand, that they are helping, when they usually are not.

“I feel that as a community we can do so much better at moving people out of the place where they find themselves, if we just have a greater insight as to how we best do this.”

To educate the community on how to help those in need, Grace church is running a course based on the book, When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor. . . and Yourself  written by Corbett and Fikkert starting on Wednesday, 12 October at 7pm.

The course comprises six evening sessions, each Wednesday night, and the only cost is for the workbook at R150, which is essential.

The book uses the Bible and the Great Commission to state that the church’s mission should be to help the poor and the desolate.

Corbett and Fikkert say the definition of poverty differs and depends on who is defining it so providing material resources could well reinforce the poor people’s sense of inferiority and lack of self-esteem, which in turn increases the original problem.

They promote the use of “asset-based community development” as a helping strategy. This means focusing on what resources and abilities that the community already has is often more helpful and more empowering than focusing on what the community does not have.

“If you are interested in truly helping the materially poor this course is a must as we can all play a role in alleviating poverty in our community. Every day we can make a difference,” said Pastor Ewan.

“Learn how to explore how to help the poor without hurting them in a way that is holistic, participatory and see God given potential in every person.

“We need to stop treating  the symptoms of poverty and rather treat the underlying causes.

“This course will equip you with the framework that restores the poor by fulfilling their God-given callings and potential.

“God is at work in this world, and we have the incredible joy and responsibility of joining in that work.”

Call Tina at 063 528 5129 to book.

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