Are You Hungry?

We all have experienced hunger pangs. Have you ever gone to bed hungry? Maybe you were a kid and you were sent to bed without dinner. Maybe you were recovering from a virus and went to bed out of fear of what might happen if you did eat. Sure, we've all felt that pang of want but only to a small extent. None of us has gone to bed night after night after night hungry. None of us has ever watched a loved one die of hunger.

Here are some hunger facts:

Fact: A child dies from hunger-related causes every 8 to 12 seconds.*

That’s as many as 11,000 children younger than 5 — killed every day. Some actually starve. The immune systems of others are powered down by malnutrition, leaving the door wide open for deadly diseases.

And hunger is only one threat facing kids. In all, more than 22,000 die every day — almost all of them from simple causes with existing cures: diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, hunger, and more. That’s the real injustice — that the vast majority of these deaths are 100% preventable.

Fact: Globally, 925 million people are hungry.

That’s roughly 3 times the population of the U.S. going to bed hungry every night.

Why so hungry? Many families depend entirely on what they can grow, so they’re never more than one natural or manmade disaster away from hunger. Others work day and night, but still can barely afford enough food for their children.

This weekend, Colby, Jackie, and Jake are participating in what's called a 30 Hour Famine. For 30 hours they will not eat. Instead they will devote themselves to fasting and while fasting they'll pray for the hungry. They'll study about impoverished countries who see people die every day of hunger. They'll also do some community work for the homeless and the helpless as well as volunteer to clean and serve at a rest home. 

My purpose in writing this is to stir your heart. Please pray for my family during this time. Please pray especially for my kiddos who live in such a way that they have no wants. Please pray that God would use this time to awaken a desire to serve and see others blessed ahead of themselves.

If you feel led and are able would you consider making a contribution to World Vision? All moneys collected go to the impoverished and hungry. I realize it's short notice. If you are able to give send me an email at christie.reynolds@me.com with your donation amount. Jake and I can write a check to World Vision for any pledges we receive.

Thanks for your time and most importantly your prayers!