the hungry...more hungry

there's a Global Food Crisis. made worse by our nation's dependence on fuel. and even worse by our decision to use the the food that many nations rely on to fuel our cars.

a few facts (from the Compassion website):

• One person in seven goes to bed hungry every day.
• Approximately 854 million people across the world are hungry.
• Every day, nearly 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes. That amounts to one child
every 5 seconds.
• About 5.6 million or 53 percent of child deaths worldwide are related to under-nutrition.
• Approximately 146 million or 27 percent of children under age 5 in developing countries are
underweight.
• Nearly 17 percent of babies in developing countries are born with a low birth weight
compared with only 7 percent of babies in industrialized countries.
• More than 6 million children die from malnutrition each year.
• Worldwide, 161 million preschool children suffer chronic malnutrition.
• Already 40 percent to 50 percent of the world’s populations are undernourished and there
are 50 million starvation-related deaths each year.

Sources: www.one.org, www.bread.org, www.unicef.org, www.who.int, www.unep.org

Compassion is doing something to help. and you can be a part of it...here. for $13 you can feed a child for a month. you can even buy a t-shirt with "please" in the language of one of four countries hit hardest by the crisis. sure to be a conversation starter.

and if you still haven't sponsored a child, now's a perfect time. you can do that here, or use the widget to the right.

the difference

I hold on through memories.
The ones I'm sometimes afraid of.
The way he looked, the time he shaved his beard and I couldn't stop laughing.
The way he reminded me every year on my birthday that it meant he was getting old.
The way he patiently waited for me every night after dance...and sacrificed things he wanted to pay for it.
The way he took us fishing.
And how proud he was of us.
That last morning...
She holds on through tangible things.
Pictures of him.
Things he bought or that she bought using "his" money.
And grieves when those things are lost.


She said there's pain and strength in my eyes.
And sweetness in hers.

what I know of love

I Saw What I Saw by Sara Groves

This video spoke to me in so many ways. How I miss Africa, every day. The faith and joy there in the midst of such extreme need. Daily tragedy. And the Lord's consistent reminder of His command-

"Go, making disciples-teaching them all I've commanded you"

Lord, here am I...send me!



lyrics:

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road, cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me
your dream inspires
your face a memory
your hope a fire
your courage asks me what I'm afraid of
(what I am made of)
and what I know of love

we've done what we've done and we can't erase it
we are what we are and it's more than enough
we have what we have but it's no substitution

Something on the road, touched my very soul

I say what I say with no hesitation
I have what I have and I'm giving it up
I do what I do with deep conviction

Something on the road, changed my world

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King Jr.

A Franciscan Prayer

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

I dig it

International Justice Mission- a Christian human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Investigators, lawyers and other professionals work with local officials to rescue victims and to promote justice.
Check out their Christmas "catalog."

Samaritan's Purse- provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. They meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine all while sharing the love of Christ.
Check out Operation Christmas child.

Compassion International- a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. They now help more than 1 million children in 26 countries (Marashet Simon of Ethiopia is one!).
Keep up with a current team of bloggers on a trip to the Dominican Replublic.
And sponsor a child! For $32 a month, you can change a child's life by providing for physical needs and giving access to the gospel.

Product Red- created to help stop the spread of AIDS in Africa. It's a business model to raise money and awareness for the HIV/AIDS problem in Africa. A portion of each sale goes to support Global Fund financed programs used to positively impact communities impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Check out Starbucks from November 27th to January 2nd-they'll have a new line of (RED) items and a $.05 from the sale of their "exclusive" Holiday drinks will go towards the Global Fund.

rock the vote!

And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.
Job 42.12a