Yesterday during our prayer time, we were shown this article. It shows how much an average family buys a week in food, and what the diet consists of. It also shows how much they spend. I couldn't believe it when I read it:
Take a good look at the food that is eaten in one week and how much is spent...
Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily
Food for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

United States: The Revis Family of North Carolina
Food for one week $341.98

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23
If the family in Germany didn't eat for ONE week, the family in Chad could eat for 6 years....
Wow, how fortunate we are to live in a country like this. God has blessed us more than we deserve. The last line really got me thinking...just one week without buying food could feed a family for months. So, thats what I plan on doing. This week when we get our $100 for our food, we aren't going to use it. We have plenty of food in the house that we can fix up and eat. It is unbelievable how we have "back up" food, or food that just sits around. Instead of using it for ourselves, we are going to be giving it to a church in Kenya. Right now, Kenya is going through a very dark time and they aren't sending food into the slums of Kenya. People have to leave the slums, and most cannot. The pastors give out food vouchers to the people, and our $100 will go to feed families in Kenya. For me, it almost seems like the easiest decision I've ever made. I know I can go without my "favorite" foods for a week! Please pray that this works out the way I see it working out and that God can use the money and feed families in need.
Also, this Friday, we our in charge of the youth group "All Nighter!" It will be a great night of fellowship and fun...but without any sleep! I would be all for it, except this week we are having another Training Camp. If you have been reading my blog from the beginning, you know how crazy a training camp can be. Thankfully we are not doing serve team this time, but we will be attending seminars and helping out where we can. On Friday morning we have a seminar, then work all day, then the all nighter...so please pray for strength and endurance. I want it to be a great experience for the kids and I want them to see how much they mean to me...and I also want to be awake for it! :-)
Thank you so much for all of you who have been supporting me, praying for me, and reading my blogs! God has been working in my life so much. Gods new project for me is having a positive attitude, even when I know I am not going to like it. It has definitely been something that I have struggled with it the past. Hopefully I will relay good news in a future post! Please keep me in your prayers and the rest of my team!