A Challenge

As recently posted on my reading list, Kisses From Katie is at the top of my list of favorites right now.  With every page I wanted to be there, with her, loving on the babies, feeding the hungry, aiding the sick and needy.  But right now I know my mission is with Billy and it begins at 5:00 each morning with our two little ones.  I know and pray that our mission at home and community is of eternal value.  And I am thankful for the calling.  But while we eat out every other weekend, stop at Starbucks on the way to the library each Tuesday, or buy new shirts just because they're on sale, I can't help but feel a call and challenge to do something for the people there even though we are still here.

Billy and I have felt a responsibility to care for some of these children, though hours and hours away.  There are many ways to do this, with organizations such as Compassion International who offer many different countries and age groups to give to.  Billy chose a child with each of our boy's birth date to start supporting.  Personally, my heart has been drawn to Katie, author of Kisses From Katie, who has started a non-profit organization (Amazima) that is feeding and caring for hundreds of orphans and widows.  She started out just caring for one.  It has turned into over 600 children.  To sponsor a child in Uganda via Amazima ministries is $25/month.  This gives them a fighting chance.  This gives them an education, 3 meals a day, a uniform and school supplies, medical care, and arms to love and disciple them.  When I asked Billy last night where he thought we should give and how much, he asked me how many children need to be sponsored for school and meals through Amazima.  I knew where his mind was going.  He's an all or nothing kind of guy and his heart aches for the orphan and the hungry.  Give big or go home.  I told him the ministry helps over 600 children.  You can do the math.

In case you all were wondering we do not have $15,000 on hand.

Billy's response?  "We don't have $15,000.  You should find a way to get enough people to sponsor 600 children."  I love him.

So this is my challenge.  To overwhelm Amazima Ministries with financial support.  To let them know that here, in North Carolina, we care and we are for what they're doing.  To make sure that those 600 and MORE children are being fed, clothed, and educated.  To help feed the poverty stricken village of Masese, where 1600 orphaned children rely on Amazima's food every week day.  84 people visited my blog today.  I wonder if those 84 would be willing to sacrifice $25/month.  A couple new shirts, a few trips to your favorite restaurant.  Or maybe one trip to your favorite restaurant.  One less outing to the movies.  One less upgrade on your phone or digital cable.  And then I wonder if those 84 would be willing to share this link with their friends.  The average facebook user has 130 friends (that was based on a google search...forgive me if I'm incorrect).  Can you imagine how quickly 600 children would be cared for if we spread the word??  What would it look like to give enough for the ministry to sponsor even more than 600 children?  What would it look like to overwhelm Amazima with enough money to feed Masese each month?  It would look like the hands and feet of Jesus.

For more information please visit the website, Amazima.org; read her book, Kisses From Katie; read her blog, http://www.amazimaministries.blogspot.com.

And please, PLEASE, spread the word.