I've been spending more money than I should be lately. I like instant gratification. I like to be able to go out when I want something and get it. No questions asked, no worries, no problems, no concerns. When I'm hungry I go to the grocery or to a restaurant. I never have to worry about starving. I've said I'm starving but in reality I have no idea what starving truly is or feels like.
Tonight we decided on tacos for dinner so we went to the grocery and got the items we needed. After dinner we put the left overs in our fridge. Our fridge that is full. Later tonight I took a shower with water that was hot and clean and clear. No worries about parasites or diseases. After my shower I got a glass of water that once again was clean and clear. I didn't have to walk miles to get it.
I could go on and on about all the "things" I have and how fortunate and blessed I am but I don't want to dull you. I just want to bring awareness and attention to the great need in Africa. The NEED for FOOD and H2O.
Right now the Horn of Africa is experiencing their worst drought in over 60 years. 12.4 million people are affected by this drought and famine. Ten of thousands have already died. Children are the most vulnerable during this time. People are walking for days even weeks to get to food and H2O. Children are dying on this journey. One mother lost two children in one day. Another mother didn't realize her baby (on her back) had died until she reached the refugee camp. Mothers are leaving their weak children to try to save their stronger children. Mothers are leaving their BABIES along the road. This is not going to get better anytime soon. And they need our HELP desperately!
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I've been spending more than I should be lately. I've bought things I don't need, I just want. How nice is it to have that option?! To spend money like you don't need it.......I'm sure the people in Africa wished the same thing. I do my part to help and I have a lot of compassion and concern for those in Africa but CAN I DO MORE? All my needs are met for. What else do I NEED?
We've been so extremely blessed here in the U.S., doesn't that mean we owe it to help those less fortunate? Doesn't that give us a responsibility? I'm not saying we should feel bad for living here in the U.S. but does that mean we can ignore those who desperately need help? Is every country to fend for themselves? Is it ever okay to just think "me"?
If you were walking by a pond and saw a child drowning, would you keep walking or help? I'm sure all of us would help. Is it any different to see someone "drowning" in Africa. Don't we have a moral obligation to help? And if you're a Christian, God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Everyone is our neighbor. (read the Good Samaritan-Luke 10)
About three paragraphs up I was starting my point and got sidetracked. I sometimes spend money that doesn't need spent. I spend it on luxuries. But how about instead of spending money on luxuries like books and coffee, I put that money aside and give it where it's needed......the Horn of Africa. Can anyone do this with me? Do you have an extra $10/week or month that you wouldn't even notice if you gave it away, or I should say gave it to a worthy cause? Ten isn't a lot for me or for Africa but together 10 can become 100, 1000 and 100,000 and so forth.
