The Matthew 25:40 principle

We've been asked a lot of times why we're going to Tanzania.  What's our motivation, why give up good jobs and a good life in the UK to go to a developing nation and work as a volunteer for a charity?

If your view of the world is that the only thing that counts is wealth, possessions and personal comfort then what we're doing will make no sense.  But we believe there's far more to the world than that.

We believe in God who loves everyone, who made everyone equal, everyone important, everyone deserving dignity.  And yet we live in a world of inequality, a world where some have but many go without.  We believe that God's calling on us is to stand up and make a difference in this world taking the skills that we have to make a difference for the many who suffer with dental pain day after day.  For us it's very simply loving God and loving people.  The two are inseparable.

That's where Matthew 25:40 comes in.  In the parable, Jesus is rewarding those who have served him - but they ask "when did we serve you?".  Jesus replies "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  Basically, if we as followers of Jesus see someone in need and help them, through this deed we're serving him.  If we love people, we're loving him.  If we give people dignity, if we honour them, if we make a real difference in their lives, God is honoured.
 
That's what motivates us.  That's what drives us on.

To us God matters. To us people matter.
What better way to express our faith than to make a lasting difference to those in need in this world.

Paul