Facebook has BLOWN UP over the past few days with Invisible Children's new awareness campaign, KONY 2012. I have been an avid supporter of Invisible Children since I watched their original documentary on my campus at University of Alabama...I don't remember what year, but it was their first year of being an actual organization. They aren't perfect but they are acting. They are doing what we are called to do in caring for the least of these. Lots of people are criticizing them, questioning their finances and their partnership with the Ugandan government. They make it clear that they do not give money to the government and they have their spending report on their website...it's not like they're trying to deceive people as to where their money goes, and whoever threw the 84% figure out there that apparently goes to staff was incredibly inaccurate.
I get that people want us to take care of "our own." But, I object to this as a Christian. Don't misunderstand me, I don't object to taking care of those that need it in America. At the same time, we have resources here that are unimagineable to people in Uganda and Central Africa. And, this organization is not funded by our government, so the objections that "we" should spend the money here is unfounded...because unless you're donating, it's not "your" money. And furthermore, Jesus said this:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-26
No, I'm not saying in any way, shape, or form that you are condemned to hell if you don't support Invisible Children. I know there are people who don't support Invisible Children but do support grassroots efforts in Uganda working toward the same goal...again, not saying everyone has or should have a passion for Africa or the situation with Kony. But every Christian should have a passion for people, especially those who cannot act for themselves for whatever reason.
I AM saying that Jesus did not have America in mind specifically when He told this story. I don't believe He meant for us to only worry with our nation when talking about this type of compassion. I believe He was referring to people...everywhere. I think it's incredibly one-sided to say we should care for our own and they should care for their own. They have no capability of doing that. I saw one comment that their parents and government must not care enough to do anything. The problem is, these children have been made to murder their families...and their government is pretty corrupt as well. I think the president should definitely have to answer for the fact that Kony has gotten away with this for over 20 years...but the first step needs to be to stop Kony.
These children...they are the least of these...and they are my heart. I will not change my mind about supporting Invisible Children. I will continue to help those here as well, and I'm not wrong for that. I believe I'm fulfilling my duty as a Christian. And, my friend Kevin wisely pointed out today that if we wait for the perfect charity to do something, nothing is ever going to happen...anywhere.
KONY 2012
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