The term “Third World” arose during the cold war to define countries that remained non-aligned with either NATO or the Communist Bloc. The terminology remains and provides a way of broadly categorizing the nations of the earth into three groups based on social, political, and economic divisions. Due to the evolution of meanings and contexts, there is no clear definition of “Third World.” Because many Third World countries were extremely poor and non-developed economically, it has become a stereotype to refer to these nations in this way.
In these countries millions struggle for existence with little to do with their lives but work and/ or have sex. The latter then results in the spread of disease or the increase of children who have no childhood or hope for a future.
Many lack an education and few are literate. These people have little historical or geographical context to their lives. They never leave their own region in an entire lifetime, having little or no substantial contact with the outside world.
Health care is scarce and limited and many die , not only from deadly diseases, but also from very curable diseases.
People in these countries usually have to depend upon the forces of nature to provide the right amount of rain for their crops. Too little rain results in drought; too much rain produces floods. Further, they have little or no protection from natural disasters.
It is imperative that we proclaim and teach the good news of the kingdom of God in compassionate, creative, and consistent ways. This will give them a reason and a hope for living and will have ramifications for the many areas of their lives.