What should we be looking for in a President? With all of the debates and town hall meetings currently taking place around the country, we should be able to come to some consensus. Is it someone who speaks well at debates – a good communicator? Is it someone who can shout the loudest or criticize his or her opponent the best? What about the promises that they make on the campaign trail – can we trust they will come to fruition? To help guide your decision making, below are some suggested characteristics that the “right” President should have.
1. The President should be God-fearing
2. Should have to go to church, worship God, and follow the ten commandments
3. Good morals
4. Keeps their word
5. Forgives other people
6. Respects the people they are leading
7. Be honest, trustworthy, and kind
8. Unite the people – not divide
9. Stop corruption
10. Make the country clean
11. Provide schools for everyone and make sure that all children can attend
12. Keep the country secure – protect the people
13. Provide jobs for everyone
14. The President must be clean
15. Stop drugs coming into the country
16. Provide plenty of water and sewage systems
17. The President should help children with food, shelter, and clothing
18. Make the slums a proper place to live
19. Stop land grabbing
20. Stop poaching
All of the above may be good guidelines when choosing a president, but are you confused about the last few points? Let me help you understand it a little bit better. This list was written by Ms. Obonyo’s 6th grade class.
The children in her class live and attend school in the Kawangware slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Over 75% of the children in the slum do not have families and are forced to live on the streets. It costs money to attend school, but many families can only afford to send one of their children to school; the other children have to go to work. Drugs are everywhere and corruption is great. There is no sewage system; everything just runs in the streets.
The children in Kawangware experience none of the twenty characteristics listed above. But they do see America as a country and a people with great hope. We must understand and the children in the Kawangware slum must also understand that our hope is not in the government or in one particular man or woman chosen to lead the country. Our hope is in Jesus Christ!
But now, Lord, What do I look for? My hope is in You.
Psalm 39:7
Melinda Staples | Project Manager
