It’s been raining here pretty much non-stop for the last three or four days. And truth be told, it’s felt like rainy days around our house lately – in more ways than one. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to get Africa off of my mind.
Tonight during supper David asked me if I’d seen a letter we received from Compassion about the Global Food Crisis, and since I hadn’t, I grabbed it off of the kitchen counter and started to read. The letter was from Wess Stafford, the founder of Compassion, and he outlined how the rising cost of food is “creating a life-threatening food crisis” in the area where our sponsored child Sharon lives.
Rainy days.
Saturday, while I was in San Antonio, D. noticed that there was a leak in the roof of our front porch. He tried to find the source of the leak but couldn’t, and by yesterday morning, as the water continued to pour from a seam in the porch ceiling, he decided to call the professionals. A man came over a few hours later, walked around the roof, hammered a little here, added a little sealant there, and within fifteen minutes the leak was fixed.
Easy breezy.
But today, as the rain has continued to fall, I’ve thought about the places we visited in Uganda. I’ve thought about how families there would struggle to fix a roof in need of repair. I’ve thought about children trying to sleep in airless rooms, about mothers who desperately want to provide food for their kids but don’t have the means to pay for it.
Rainy days.
Yesterday afternoon, as the rain poured down, our little guy hopped in the car after school. We hadn’t even made it past the school building when he piped up from the back seat: “You know what, Mama? Rainy days are my favorites.”
“Really?” I asked. “Why do you like rainy days so much?”
“Well, because that’s when God makes things grow!”
I thought about what he said for a few minutes, pondered on the metaphor he never intended, and decided that even though the little man had no idea, he’d provided his mama with a pretty solid dose of theology on a rainy summer afternoon.
I guess, in one way or another, it must be growing season.
Many of y’all have sponsored kids through Compassion in the last year, so you’re probably already aware of the Global Food Crisis. Anne actually posted about it a couple of days ago on her blog, asked her readers to donate to Compassion’s Global Food Crisis Fund, and they responded oh-so-generously. I’d love it if some of us here would follow suit.
David and I talked at supper tonight and decided that we’re going to make a donation. We can’t donate very much right now (see: roof and also: cracked fireplace), but we can donate something. A one-time donation of $39 will feed one family for one month, but you can donate any amount. $2. $5. $50. Every little bit will provide some relief to families who need it. Just click here to help.
You don’t have to tell me if you donate (though you’re welcome to do so), and you certainly don’t have to tell me how much. I’m really not concerned with a grand total. I’m just interested in helping these families.
Because there are some times in life when we can’t do a dadgum thing to stop the rain.
But other times? Like right now, for instance?
{ 31 comments }
This rain has had me feeling reflective, too.
I love your little guy’s thoughts. It really resonates.
Following your link now…
We got the same letter yesterday and immediately wanted to help…such a huge problem…but if many will only help a little then we can make a difference! It’s so comforting to know that in the midst of a crisis…God is still on His throne!!! And He can use His people to accomplish much if we are willing to be used.
Thank you for this post.
It’s been rainy here in Mississippi also. I reminded myself yesterday to be thankful for the provisions I have from the rain, as my husband is in Nicaragua now, where it is their rainy season and also quite cool in the village he is serving in in the mountains. How fortunate we are that we can help and that God will bless us through our blessing others. Your little guy is precious!
I’ve appreciated how you’ve put a real face to the desperate situations in Uganda, etc. Thanks for posting about your experiences.
Loved this post. I just love Wess Stafford. I heard his speak at a MOPS conference in Nashville 2 years ago. Any grown man that cries on a stage to an audience of women about the hurts of this world is pretty amazing in my book. I went out the same day and sponsered three kids (since we have three kids of our own). Recently I began the process of becoming a Child Advocate. thanks for your words about a real situation we can all pitch in and help with.
Take care,
Julie
We got the letter also and as I was walking down the bread aisle of Walmart tonight, thinking that bread had really gone up, and how that must affect families with children, my mind went to Africa, and the letter. It’s humbling to think of how easily we spend $39 here, the cost of a meal at Applebee’s or Olive Garden or wherever, and what a difference it can make in lives over there.
Thank you so much. My heart has been on Africa so much lately. I can’t get it off my mind. Your post today, Brooke Fraser’s song Albertine – have you heard that?? It’ll get your heart good. But, I don’t want my heart just to be got… I want to do something about it. This may be what I need to do.
What a lovely truth in that metaphor. I got my letter too, and I am ashamed to say it got discarded in the heap of papers on my desk. I guess I figured I’d get to it later. THanks for the reminder that this is a very real crisis to very real and dear people.
Oh, what a wonderful link through the eyes of your child. We will pray for them too.
Heidi
I agree with “Scratchin’ The Surface.” Our family of five can easily spend $39 just eating out one meal. I am more than happy to feed a family for a whole month with that same amount. Thanks for making us aware of the opportunity to bless others less fortunate.
Someone gave me a study board about 20 years ago when I pledged a certain sorority. She had painted it and decorated it, and on it she had written, “Ephesians 2:16-18.”
I’m sending those verses back to you today, and giving Him thanks for you and your “spirit of wisdom…and the hope to which He has called you…”
Beautifully written, Sophie.
S –
I got that letter and immediately felt so convicted. Here I am – out buying every frilly thing I can find for our coming baby girl and there are millions of mothers in the world who don’t even know how they are going to feed their new baby or coming baby much less how they will clothe them or survive. I was saddened by how much we have and how little they have.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
K
I followed your link and our family is now feeding another family for a month. Thank you for bringing awareness to this – as I read your words I just knew that God was calling me to participate.
Amen sister! And thank you for letting your passion for Africa shine through and reminding us that we are called not just as human beings, but as Christians, to help those in need.
Xandra
I got an email from Compassion and gave to a family for a month. Wish I could know if our child in Africa, Claire, is fed. Oh Lord, take care of her…
Skipping my fancy coffee this morning (which I was going to do in celebration of the first day of school). I’ll also skip it when I go get groceries later in the week. That adds up to something I don’t need and someone else does. Thanks for the reminder.
What an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing and making us aware. We all can do something. And we’re praying too.
Sophie..
I’m welling up with tears right this second.
You see, my letter is sitting right by my computer. It broke my heart when I read it…as soon as I got back from SA….and then I have been busy getting back into life…and have forgotten.
I’ll make my donation. Because we can do something, no matter the size, we will!
I love ya girl!
Fran
Thanks for the reminder. It’s rainy here too & now that the kiddos are at school, I look forward to a date with God.
Our family is totally commited to Compassion. It is such an amazing organization. We love our sponsored children who bless our socks off with each letter. Thank you for using your blog to encourage support during this food crisis.
My study group and I have been talking a lot recently about how much is enough? When you really ask yourself what amount God wants us to give…. We seem to enjoy Starbucks, the extra groceries we really don’t need, the trips to Target…. But, how does God want us to live here in the comfortable suburbs of America? What does it look like to truly live for Him with our resources? Today I’m convicted (in a good way) again ~ and I thank you!
I think the key is to give something. What happens when people like you bring the plight to our attention and lots and lots of people give $5? I think sometimes I wait until I can do something big, forgetting how powerful it is when we all do something small together and it turns out to be a movement of compassion. Thanks for this today.
Wisdom of a child.
Count us in. We’re planning to add our gift to our monthly support of our little girl in Guatemala. Thanks for prompting us to think outside of our own walls, Sophie. I appreciate you.
I got the letter as well, and we’re going to donate too. Then I’m going to gas up the car and get ready for Gustav! I hope we don’t have to evacuate again…at least this time I’m not 9 months pregnant. :)
It’s raining here too… (Iowa) and right before I read this, I was planning my purchases from Schwan’s, stuff we don’t need, just want. I took the money I would have spent and donated it to Compassion, my first donation ever. Thanks for a very timely post. (And you always say you can’t write a meaningful post). :)
mmm, that’s a good word from a little guy.
I’m sitting here in Altanta listening to the rain and thanking God for the growing season.
We CAN do something…little is much when God is in it. And God is into caring for the needs of others…..
Blessings,
stephanie
I got the same email because of the child I sponsor. I made a donation the other day to help a family for a month. It is unimaginable to me to not have food. We are so blessed in this country.
~Jada
P.S. Send some of that rain to PA! We need it!
Yes yes yes! Keep the message going out!
Thanks for this post. I will donate to compassion. And I am also going to quit complaining about how much food costs these days because at least I have the money to buy it and it is just stupid of me when this is going on in our world. I will be praying as well.
I can’t wait to see what it is God has in store for Africa. He must have something mighty planned — and I think he’s preparing us for it by allowing us to think/pray/give in that realm. When I look at it that way, how could I ignore His prompting?
I had decided several weeks ago that I was going to start making handmade dolls and all the proceeds would go to the global food crisis through Compassion. For busyness reasons, I kept putting it off.
I received my letter on the 23rd and felt overwhelmed by guilt. Guilt that I had asked God to open doors for me so that I could do more and for him to tell me what he was going to use my hands to do so that we could feed these children and their families.
Needless to say, my hands are working! Thanks for the great post. It’s amazing how the little things children say can open our eyes to great things!
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