My heroes...

This is a shout out to some people that are my heroes - they have dedicated their lives to love God, love others, and end poverty. They sacrifice daily to live simple lives in tough environments so that the kingdom of God reaches to the ends of the earth. They are living the gospel, not just talking about it.

(Me, Mai Anne, and Papa Sam)

(Me with Mario, Jesifina, and Mario, Jr.)

I miss them lots and ask God that He continues to raise up more people like them to bring good news!

(heart)breaking news...

On CNN today that had “Breaking News: 1 person dies in Norway.” While this is a tragedy and I don’t want to underplay it’s significance, there is another Breaking News (UNICEF) that tends to be ignored: “29,000 children under the age of 5 die each day of preventable causes (hunger, malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, to name a few.)

The crisis in East Africa, leading to a mass migration of people from Somalia to Kenya in hopes of finding food breaks my heart.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/20/somalia.famine.explainer/index.html?

The listed causes, and some solutions (my own)

(1) long-term drought – drought tolerant crops (WEMA project) wouldn’t hurt (PS - quit doubting people, global climate change is real)

(2) conflict – I’m convinced only God can fix relationships that were broken from the fall

(3) a succession of poor harvest – once again, more drought tolerant crops

(4) rising food and fuel prices – I can personally consume LESS of the worlds resources (especially oil, electricity, gas, food) People that say "People that eat less/no meat aren't helping end poverty" are wrong. Each step counts. (And it takes 6-7 kgs of grain to produce 1 kg of beef.)

Finally, we as the body of Christ, the kingdom on earth, can dedicate our lives to these things. Consume less. Plant a garden. Give more. Love our enemies. Hold those in power accountable for their actions. Ask God to reveal greed and selfishness in our lives, and give Him time to answer.