Why Humanitarian Help Is Not Enough

        In underdeveloped nations all over the world billions of dollars have been spent with the intention of "helping people."  Some of this money has been given by governments to stabilize a region or promote the interests of the donor country.  Some of this money has been given by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) such as foundations and health organizations.  Some has been given by generous and well-meaning individuals. Although there are temporary successes, it would be hard to argue that most of these regions are in better shape than before.

        Many of the nations of Africa have received aid worth hundreds of billions of dollars, but are in worse shape today that they were fifty years ago.  For example in Nigeria, a nations the size of the state of Texas, there are more than 150 billion people, 85% unemployment, infectious disease epidemics of HIV and AIDS, and an average age of 18 years old.  The life expectancy is in the early 40’s.  Al Qaeda has targeted the government of Nigeria for overthrow.  Muslims compete with Marxists to see who will eventually govern this ruined nation.  Crime is rampant, and conditions are worsening.

        Haiti continues to serve as an example of a nation which has lost its way.  Unable to manage its own elections, with no formal military, unbelievable unemployment and disease rates similar to those in Africa, Haiti is a mess.  Billions of dollars of help have been sent, but there is little to show for it.  Hundreds of humanitarian organizations have tried to make a difference, but disease rates continue to grow, unemployment grows worse, and radical politics gain in strength.  Crimes such as kidnappings and random murders are increasingly frequent.

        I am more convinced than ever that Jesus Christ is the only hope for the world.  The Christian Faith changes people one at a time.  Humanitarian programs try to fix everybody.  The Christian Faith changes the core of the person, whereas humanitarian efforts offer external changes.  The Christian Faith begins a process of change; all things are made new, including how the Christian sees other people.  Humanitarian efforts seek to produce quick changes; the aid is more like a bandage, whereas introducing someone to Jesus Christ makes them "a new creature."

        In a miserable prison in the Dominican Republic, we preached and shared the Gospel with a few men in April, 2005.  When we returned in August, 2005, they had established a Bible study, and had a pastor.  In other words a handful of new believers had grown into a church.  By December, the prison had been transformed into a strong church with their own chapel.  Those men were eternally different.  We could have gone and given them medical assistance, language education, vocational training, and all the rest, and yet their hearts would have remained criminal.  By sharing the Gospel, their hearts are becoming Christ-like.