Friend,

In a New York Times opinion piece called “A Hidden Currency of Incalculable Worth”, Esau McCaulley writes about how his mother worked the late shift at the Chrysler plant six days a week with only Sundays off. Relatives and neighbors would often babysit or drive him and his siblings to school activities as his mother steadfastly labored to provide for her family. 

The academic term for this is “time poverty.” It is the lack of discretionary time outside of necessary activities and responsibilities in a person’s daily life. And it hits women and girls hardest. Globally, girls between the ages of 10 and 14 spend 50% more time doing household chores than boys of the same age. This disparity continues into adulthood as women take on more responsibilities to care for children and aging parents. McCaulley goes on to write, “It may seem unconventional to describe a lack of seconds, minutes and hours as a form of destitution. But poverty is a scarcity that extends to every aspect of life.”  

For many of our entrepreneurs, the majority of whom are women, this scarcity of time is often directly related to how they earn their everyday livelihood.  And it has a great cost that leaves little margin. Yet, they often travel long distances across rough terrain to participate in a Five Talents Savings Group meeting. It is all the more meaningful to see how good it is for the soul to pause labor, gather in community, and be fed. It is a joy to see the rich laughter, meaningful fellowship, and often even celebration that happens at these meetings.    

As we pause our work and academic schedules this Labor Day weekend, I pray that you are able to take meaningful time to savor and spend in whatever way is restorative to your soul.

As always, thank you for partnering with us to minister to those in need. It has made all the difference.