Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Today I Pray. Today I Fast.

A few months ago, Todd and I decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International. He is a 4 year old boy who lives in an HIV/AIDS infested area of Uganda. I found out about Compassion through a good friend and after I read up about it, God told me it was time to sponsor one of our own. We were concerned about the money and if we would be able to afford the monthly donation, but I knew in my heart that God was leading us to help, and that he would provide in order for us to be able to help. He of course has done so, and we have been able to help the little boy and his family. Compassion is such an amazing program, you really need to check it out. They provide so much to these children and their families, and sponsors can even go and visit their children on "Compassion Trips". I am really hoping to get to go to Africa sometime in my life. Not just to see Otim, but to really make a difference. For years and years the suffering in Africa has saddened me and has broken my heart a million times over and over. The lives that these children and their families and communities lead are in complete poverty, where families of 4 or more living on $18 a month. They live in shacks with cement floors and tin roofs. Some children have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases.One in five kids are dying of malaria, a disease that can be prevented by simple mosquito nets that protect the mosquito's from biting the child. Check out Project Mosquito Net for more info on that.

So today, I pray....and today, I fast. At least try to fast, try my very hardest. Not just for me, not just for Otim, but for God. Compassion is leading a a day of prayer and fasting for the Global Food Crisis. The rising food costs have wreaked turmoil on these already impoverished people. Where mother's are feeding their families dirt, and fathers are coming home from work empty-handed. Could you imagine living in these conditions, with no end in sight? You can help, and even go hungry for a day. The money we have in our pockets, our purses, and our checkbooks is not ours, it is God's. It is our responsibility to spend it in a way we think He would want it spent. Sponsor a kid. Recognize today's day of fasting and prayer. Watch this video. It's your turn.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

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4 comments:

Owlhaven said...

Good for you! We have 2 Compassion kids ourselves....

Mary, mom to many

Anonymous said...

That is absolutely amazing. I will do the same this week for you, for the boy, for God... for everything if you know what I mean. Thank you for sharing this with us!

Unknown said...

Thanks for reminding me that I am supposed to be fasting. I've been sick most of the week and don't feel well today, but I can do something.

Anonymous said...

I probably would have known about this if I ever read my mail from Compassion. Whoops!