Being Salt
There is perhaps no pain like that of parents who first realize their
newborn child suffers from a life threatening or debilitating birth
defect. This experience is all too common among the people of the upper
Sepik River. The leading cause of their tragic birth defects is a lack
of iodine in the diets of expectant mothers. This results in mentally
retarded and physically deformed children.
One solution to this problem is to introduce iodized salt into the diets
of potential and expectant mothers. This simple substance we take for
granted provides the traces of iodine that are crucial to the
development of healthy babies. It can even prove to be the difference
between life and death.
When Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” He was calling us to
make a difference, to be His love to a hurting world and to live His
righteousness in the midst of sin. When we allow Him to live in us, we,
like salt, prevent corruption, add flavor, promote health and even give
life.
God also grieves for His deformed children, and He is calling you and me
to be salt in their lives. Why not let God sprinkle you into someone’s
life? Please pray that He will make my family and me His salt to the
Ama. —John Lello
