Labor Day Agreement.

Today is Labor Day in America. A day when we don't Labor but that we acknowledge the work that we do with our friends and families. BBQ's and swimming pools, friends and fellowship. Here it is another day of Labor for all of us, no break, and just some good food to enjoy at the DFAC tonight in honor of the Holiday.

For a small portion of the people here, we should rejoice that the DFAC workers here will sign thier agreement with the subcontractor today. The men have been waiting for this for six weeks now, and they are all very excited. Most of these men have come here in faith of men that they would have work and be treated fairly. They have all worked hard and not complained and today they will know what they have been working for.

The shame in this is much, as we see how others are treated from around the world. Labor is cheap and men are greedy. To ones that look for gain only these men are just bodies to fill the positions needed here in Afghanistan. Many of the men had to pay an agent up to 3,000 dollars to get the positions. Some come as indentured to the agents and need to pay off this fee or portions of it as they get paid. Jeevan, spent five months in Delhi waiting to get here after paying his money. He will only now begin to be paid.

These men show such humilty also in how they handle this. It took them a while to even mention it to me. They some how expect this type of treatment, or it has become normal to them that their reactions are very different from westerners. I in my experience have seen men down right angry over a few dollars of pay in their pay check for the week, yet these men have gone weeks with nothing.

So today they are excited, the will have an agreement. Almost reminicent of some Union movie in the states. Not celebrating but putting on their good clothes and cleaning up to go down and sign their papers. They are happy and so I am also for them.

I am thankful to God that He has allowed me to see this. That He has allowed me the position here to know the DCMA and others that have helped in pushing this along. This abuse is minor compared to others that we know about in the world but none the less it was abusive. We are asked by our Lord to help those in need and to intervene when we can. This issue was important, but so also are the small evryday one that we see.

Take the oportunities everyday, that the Lord has placed before you, to do unto the least of them. Put your change in the bucket. Buy a cup of coffe for the man on the corner. Help your neighbor when you see them needing it, even if they are not friendly. In these small ways you will show the Love of Christ in you to those around you.

Be well, and on this Labor Day remember these men here who labored from the time they left home until today only in the hopes of a few dollars and an agreement with their employer. Thank the Lord for His blessings opon you and your family and if you have an opportunity bless somone who otherwise has nothing to celebrate today.