I saw what I saw and I can't forget it.....

No I'm not trying to bring shock value to what I'm going to talk about but I do want a reality check. Not just for my readers but as a reminder for myself. This is real. These are precious faces of children who desperately need our help.

I still remember the famine stories back in the 1980's I remember so vividly how my heart felt. I told my mom I wanted to go help those babies. I remember telling her I would adopt from there some day. Little did I know how prophetic that comment would be and how God would weave our story. I remember when all I wanted for my birthday was a little black baby doll and how I got one for my 8th birthday. My passion for children without parents, without food, without the things we consider basic necessities runs deep. There are days I wish I didn't feel so deeply. There are days I'm so grateful that I do. It would be so much easier to just pretend I don't know. But I do and I can't ignore it. God calls us to care for the orphan and widow and I do believe that means ALL of us. In some way. Some fashion.

Hearing most recently that there is a horrible drought in Eastern Africa has me broken. This hits hard. Not only because I've seen the hurt, the pain, and the reality that is life in Ethiopia for so many. I can't stop there - I've also seen the joy. The joy in the midst of great pain. A joy that is unexplainable when circumstances are so horrible. A joy only God could give. I want that joy no matter what my circumstances.

Recently I watched the promo video for Katie Davis' new book. (you can watch it below) This is a young woman who is daily, faithfully living out the call God has on her life. She puts it so clearly when talking about obeying God and loving her neighbor as herself. She states: "myself doesn't want to be starving, so I don't want others to starve." Its quite simple really. Its just not something we often want to think about. Or we make excuses. Its pretty clear in the bible, for me its simple. Mark 12 - And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment.

Love Jesus, the gospel, and others.

I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a people I love so deeply. This drought is killing children, babies, families. Those children could have been my children. We can help. Each of us. I know there are many many organizations who are helping but there is one that we have chosen to partner with and donate through. A Glimmer Of Hope.

Why Glimmer? Mainly because 100% of the donations go right to the relief efforts. Glimmer is partnering with NGO's on the ground to make the biggest impact on the drought relief.

Here's how you can help. Donate directly here. Any amount helps. Give up Starbucks and donate what you would have spent. Anything. We still have shirts left. If you buy a shirt we'll donate every penny from that sale to Glimmer of Hope's Relief Fund. The back of our shirts fit in perfect to support this campaign.

We can't ignore this reality. How will you help?

Rescue the perishing;
don't hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"
will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know—
Someone not impressed with weak excuses. Prov. 24:12 msg