KDUV fm’s Global Food Crisis Day is here!
Powerful to know that you can help a child by giving $13 to feed one child living in life-threatening poverty for a month!
Watch the video below and click here to give!
Global Food Crisis Day Challenge…Days 6 & 7
March 10, 2009 at 12:11 pm (Compassion International)
Today is the 7th and final day of my Global Food Crisis Day Challenge. You can read all about it here.
The past couple of days I’ve been reminded of the promise that when we give to others, we’re always blessed. In tangible and intangible ways. Living on $2 a day for food has meant sacrificing coffee for the week and in the greatest irony of the week my coffee of the month supply was delivered to me on the 1st day of this challenge. I took the time to sniff the box and thought of how tempting it was going to be to have that good smellin’ stuff around all week. So I decided to be part of the giving spirit we’ve been inviting you to be part of and I gave the coffee away to a couple of my co-workers. That might not seem like a big deal but that was $40 worth of coffee. It’s not cheap and you pay for it’s awesome flavor! : )
So yesterday I come into the office and our office manager, Roxanne, holds out a cup of coffee and asks me if I want some. I told her no because I thought she was asking me to take a sip of HER coffee and I don’t drink after anyone! Even my dear sweet Momma. Then she looked at me and she said “Shannon, this is for you. It’s your own cup of coffee!” Roxanne had made some of the coffee I gave her on Monday morning and when she realized her husband Paul wouldn’t be drinking any she poured some into a thermal cup and brought it to me so I could taste it.
That was the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had for a few reasons
• it’s been six days since I had any at all!
• Roxanne’s thoughtfulness made it so sweet!
• God showed me in a tangible way that giving really comes back to you
Tomorrow, March 11th is Global Food Crisis Day. I hope you’ll be willing to give the $13 it takes to feed a child for a month. The reality is there is a global food crisis and children are starving. Today, more than 12,000 kids will die because of this crisis. Because they haven’t had a single meal in days. But you can make a difference. You giving that $13 will impact a child in a profound way. It will ensure that a child has the basic needs for survival. And our hope and prayer is that that same child will grow into a loving person like you. And return the favor to others through simple acts of kindness and love.
Your gift matters. It literally means life to a child. And you will be blessed my friend! You will be blessed!
Here’s a video that explains the impact you can have on Global Food Crisis Day:
Global Food Crisis Day Challenge…Days 4 & 5
March 8, 2009 at 10:56 pm (Compassion International)
If you’ve just started reading my blog, here’s an update on what this week is all about.
So this past couple of days…let’s see there’s been the kindness of new friends cooking dinner for me and there’s been sickness all day on Saturday and not having any extra money to get what I would usually go out and buy when I get sick.
Then there was this email from Kristen:
Hi Shannon – I totally dig what you are doing with the whole $14 for a weeks worth of food; however… How in the world are you coping without your coffee??? Can I donate a Starbucks card to your plight???
And my reply to such a thoughtful person:
You are so sweet! Honestly, I’m in headache-ville as I’ve dubbed it. It’s sad how much I rely on the stuff! I really appreciate the thought that you would donate a starbucks card to me but I think the greatest way to spend that money would be to give it toward the global food crisis. I’ll get a LOT of coffee when this is over!!! You help these kids and the headache is worth it! Even $5 makes a difference! And maybe you could spread the word to your friends about it too? So much we can do together!!
That’s the truth of all this! You can give in so many ways. You can pray for children caught in the middle of the global food crisis, you can pray for the success of Global Food Crisis Day, you can support the cause with your money and you can send the link below to a friend and encourage them to do the same!
http://www.compassion.com/global-food-crisis/?referer=98493&utm_campaign=gfcradio-def-98493
Thanks for all the encouragement in the middle of this week and for being open to how God would have you get involved for these precious kids!
Global Food Crisis Day Challenge…Day 3
March 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm (Compassion International)
Oh dear, someone’s brewing coffee…and the coffee pot is right outside my office door! It smells so warm and inviting but I can’t go there. I’m having a tough time not having caffeine of any kind this week. Products with caffeine costs too much to fit into my $2 a day challenge. I’ve been working some pretty crazy hours for the past few months and I’ve realized this week that I had been functioning with the help of caffeine. Totally messed up! I ’ve been SO tired since this challenge started. I ’m tired today. And ill. And my head is hurting.
Now the whole point of this challenge is to learn something. To become more aware of what I have and how I can give….in fact, can probably give more to help others. Today, I’m living in the awareness that my lack of energy will only last until this challenge is over. Millions of children who are living in poverty know no other reality than that gnawing feeling of emptiness in their precious tummies. Their moms are desperately clinging to the hope that they will have ANY food to eat today.
Wess Stafford is the President of Compassion International and he recently shared that while he was visiting with a mom in Africa he asked her what she does when the family has no food. She looked at Wess and told him that she and other moms will take any water they can find (clean or not) and boil it so they can give their kids something warm. Imagine giving your kids some warm water to make them “feel” as though they’ve had something to eat?
Yes I’m hungry and I want my caffeine. Yes, I dropped two eggs yesterday…one in the morning and another one last night. I had carefully planned what I could eat each day of the week and those eggs were my dinner last night. So I had to take from other food that had been set aside for today. I had a plan B. The 12,000 kid who will die from hunger-related diseases today had no plan B. Had no one in their village to help them because other families were suffering just the same.
The truth is…you and I are plan B for these families. Ghandi once said “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” If you want to help people see God in this lifetime…I hope and pray that you be the Christian that takes the time to help.
Click here to read about Global Food Crisis Day and find out how you can help!
Global Food Crisis Day Challenge…Day 2
March 6, 2009 at 2:45 pm (Compassion International)
So the Global Food Crisis Day Challenge continues. You can read all about it and Day 1 here
More than likely you live a crazy busy life! And you probably enjoy the convenience of other people making you coffee or food! I’m there with you. So many days I simply head to Starbucks and Stacy or Micah make me my coffee and we chat for a moment and then I head back to work. Then, later in the day I may be too tired to even think of cooking when I get home so I’ll stop by some place like Quiznos and grab dinner to save myself time and effort.
That coffee and sandwich costs me about $10 on the days I decide to do that. I’m sitting here thinking of how often I grab things at a store or restaurant and don’t even give it a 2nd thought. It’s there I have the money and I do it.
This week I’m grateful for the chance to take a step back and evaluate how I’m spending my money. Not only for this Global Food Crisis Challenge but for the sake of my relationship with God. I can a waste a lot on things that really don’t mean a thing. Things that don’t serve a purpose. It’s not that you or I are bad if we do that…it’s just that we need to be thinking bigger. If I have $10 to throw down on coffee and a sandwich in one day…I definitely have $14 to feed a child for a month for the Compassion Global Food Crisis Day. In fact, I probably can help Compassion and other organizaztions that are helping build the Kingdom of God. Helping meet needs in a way I could never do on my own.
This week I’m living in the awareness that each day day of this challenge, 12,000 children will die from hunger-related causes. So by the time I get done with whining about not having coffee for a week, and only eating lentil soup, eggs or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…84,000 kids will die.
Really puts things in perspective for me. These kids need me. These kids need you. Simply put, as the body of Christ we need each other.
Back in 2005, I spent some time traveling around Lima, Peru and visiting Compassion International churches. The very churches that will be distributing the money you’re willing to give to help with this food crisis to the families who are facing the greatest need. The photo above is what kids see on a soccer field outside of one of these churches. The words are from John 8:36, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
I truly believe we are called to be Christ to people in need. I hope in an effort to do that you will commit to pray with me for the Global Food Crisis Day, for the parents of the 84,000 kids who will die this week and feeling the loss no parent should know…and for how you can give to help release children from poverty in the name of Jesus Christ.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can do that…click here
Thanks for doing what you can! : )
ss
Global Food Crisis Day Challenge…Day 1
March 6, 2009 at 2:43 pm (Compassion International)
Here’s a picture of what I was able to buy with my $14 of food for the week.
In case you haven’t heard I’m doing this Global Food Crisis Day Food Challenge for the week. On March 11th we’re teaming with Compassion International and hopefully you to help raise money for kids caught in the middle of life-threatening situations because of the global food crisis. Click here to read all about it and get involved
Angela saw this pic posted on my Facebook and this is what she said: not bad….(the food). Isn’t it just amazing, what we think we can’t live without? So here’s what I’ve had to eat today:
Breakfast: 2 eggs (good protein!) and Water!
Lunch: P B & J and Water! (i don’t remember the last time i had PB & J. I feel like i’m 5 yrs old!)
People have been making a big deal out of only $14 of food for the week but it goes further than you would think!
Ways people have already given and taught me a lesson:
1) when I went to target to buy my food I had $14. The order came up to $14.06. I started to ask the cashier to take something off and man standing behind me gave me a nickel and the cashier gave me a penny. I know it sounds so small but the truth is…either I was going to have to put something back or someone had to help in a small way. That penny and nickel meant a lot to me. And usually we just look at pennies as being meaningless and of little value. Sure adds up!
2) Our morning show co-host, Dale Best, surprised me with a cup of coffee today. I think that’s partially because I’m becoming known as the “coffee monster” around KDUV. I literally have 4-5 cups of coffee a day and I’m coming face to face with the reality of my addiction to this stuff since I’ve been weaning myself off it for a couple of days. I spend about $40 a month on coffee alone because I buy it from a place in Savannah, GA that makes the stuff I like. Wow, close to 4 kids could eat for a month off what I spend on coffee each month!
The point of this week is to remind you and myself how EASY it is to give! Most of these families living in poverty worldwide live on less than a dollar a day. The US dollar goes so far and buys SO much in these countries. 14 US dollars can feed a child for a month! The question is 1) will i give up the everyday comforts and live on less than normal AND 2) will people get involved in their own unique way? prayer, giving, etc.
And if you do that…praying and giving…thank you for the difference you’re making! : ) ss
The message each child needs
March 23, 2008 at 10:33 pm (Compassion International)
A friend of mine has turned me on to a new show on Animal Planet called Escape to Chimp Eden. The show follows Eugene Cussons journey to rescue abused and mistreated chimpanzees. Cussons has dedicated his life to rescuing chimps because as he says, he was looking to become part of something bigger than himself. Read the rest of this entry »
Treasures in Plastic Bottles
February 23, 2008 at 8:19 pm (Compassion International)
I’ve had some questions about Alba…the little girl pictured in a previous post. I met Alba in a Compassion project in Honduras last year. It was hot and humid so our group had just gotten bottled water. As I finished my bottle and laid it on the ground I saw Alba running toward me. She came to stand next to me, looked up at me and flashed a beautiful smile then grabbed my plastic bottle and ran away. Read the rest of this entry »
A Day I’ll Never Forget
February 20, 2008 at 7:56 pm (Compassion International)
We all have those days…the meaningful days that are etched into our memory. For me, one of the most meaningful days of my life was the day I met seven year old Ronald Parishuana. I had traveled to Peru with a fellow group of radio station programmers and had decided to take the next step and sponsor a child. Read the rest of this entry »
