Starving
The little boy stands in the center of the dusty road, his vacant eyes looking far beyond the camera pointed at him. Flies buzz around his head. He is covered in a crust of dirt. His belly extends outward in ironic contrast to his bony arms and legs.
We’ve all seen the pictures.
We all feel sorry for him, and for the other children like him around the world.
And then I go to Burger King.
Sigh.
This weekend, our family is blessed with a chance to invest just a little of our time to make a huge difference.
Starting today, Pathway Community Church is hosting its largest meal packing event yet for Feed My Starving Children.
FMSC mobilizes volunteers in the US to pack meals (Chicken, veggies, soy, rice!) specially developed for undernourished children, and then the organization ships the meal packs to partner feeding programs in nearly 70 countries. Pathway’s goal between now and Saturday is to pack 400,000 meals…double what we packed last year.
Our small group is coming together for a 2-hour shift on Saturday afternoon to do our part.
I’m not telling you about this to say “look what a great thing we’re doing” but instead hoping to inspire you to find ways to help within your community. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to make a difference to people who are in desperate need.
And while I’m on the soapbox…Operation Christmas Child is right around the corner too. I mentioned last year that Masha remembers receiving a shoebox of Christmas gifts, and now she’s in a position to fill them and send them out–to give back.
I really encourage you to find a collection center in your town, fill a shoebox, and send an orphan a little hope.
These are small things…a couple of hours, or a few bucks and a trip to the dollar store, but to the children who benefit from your effort, it means the world.
I’m not naive enough to think that I can change the world by myself…but I might just think that we could make a difference if we all did just a little bit.
How can you share hope with a child in need? Leave a comment…
*Video via Feed My Starving Children
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
What a fabulous program! I love that you are involved with this. Even more, I am touched by the story of Masha’s memory of receiving a shoebox and now being able to send them to others.
Yeah, we were a little surprised when she told us that, really. We always imagine the kids that might receive the shoeboxes, but knowing that Masha remembers getting one really brings it to a new stage of real for us.
Funny, though, she struggles with what to put in the boxes too! She walks through the dollar store asking “Will she like this?”
Thanks for sharing about Feed My Starving Children & Operation Christmas Child! Our church started doing OCC last year and we’re looking forward to doing it again this year. We may even partner with an orphanage in Haiti this year in hopes of building a relationship there and possibly begin taking teams of people there to love on some kids.
I’ve never heard of FMSC. Checking them out now.
By the way, I LOVE your heart, Christine! Mother Teresa supposedly said once that small things done with great love can change the world. By participating in these small acts of love, you are helping change the world. One small piece at a time.
Denise, I can only hope that the small acts of love outweigh the bad stuff that’s also in my heart and the damage I’ve done along the way…
So glad that your church is looking to grow a partnership with a specific orphanage and invest there. Our missions pastor has been serving in Haiti for several years. It’s a very very challenging country with very complex problems and great need.
Just so you know, sweet friend of mine, you HAVE inspired me. I just looked up the drop off locations for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox effort. This Saturday I will ask my small group if they will work with me to volunteer to gather and deliver all shoeboxes anyone at church is willing to put together. I just wanted you to know you ARE inspiring folks.
Love ya and your posts! – Julie
You are SO awesome! I miss you like crazy!