For the past two years I've participated in this really awesome event called the 30 Hour Famine sponsored by World Vision. Kids from the youth group at our church raise funds to donate to World Vision to help end hunger, and then fast for 30 hours (that's 30 hours with out any food at all!). During those 30 hours we play games, learn about hunger, serve the community, collect canned food, worship together, and learn about the awesome Jesus. I always love Jesus, there's no doubt in that, but this even really makes me appreciate him in a whole new way every year. To watch how He moves the hearts of the people in our community to donate to this cause just baffles me, last year we raised over $22,000 as a group. That means we helped feed over 61 kids for an entire year. 
World Vision and the Famine both hold an extremely special place in my heart. Through World Vision I sponsor two really awesome kids in Malawi and Nicaragua. Chimwemwe (who my parents sponsor in my name) is a 13 year old girl from Malawi. Her family of seven lives in an area of Malawi severely affected by AIDs and her parents struggle to provide enough to feed the family on a daily basis. Kevin (who I sponsor) is 5 years old and lives in Nicaragua. I have actually been to Nicaragua and although I have never met Kevin or been to community, I have seen the kind of conditions that his family lives. I think it's safe to say that we all feel bad for these kids, but how often to we actually do something for that feeling? I decided that I was going to take the step and spend $35 of my own money every month to help provide food, education, and job training for Kevin and his family in Nicaragua. Believe me, it wasn't easy to give up that money, but then I remembered that it's not really my money...God gave me that money (in the sense that He gave me the ability to babysit and live in a community where jobs were availible) and that it wasn't fair for me to keep all of it to myself. So I gave up a pair of shoes a month, of five lattes, or a meal out with my family once a month to help do some good and change a life. It's really awesome knowing that my little donation can really make a difference in someone's life, even at only 18. This year as I prepare for the Famine I will be remembering Kevin, Chimwemwe, and all the other kids around the world like them that need us and Jesus to help them get out of the rut that they're stuck in. I'll also remember that each and every one of us has the ability to make a difference in someone's life no matter how big or small the act.
xoxo,
Abby the Gator
P.S. If sponsoring a child is something that you're interested in check out worldvision.org. I highly encourage you to take that step and help change a life, there's plenty of kids out there that need our help (:
Thank you so much for sharing this personal connection you have with hunger and Jesus. As an anthropologist, we are always learning about the culture of poverty all around the world. But it's also a human science and humanity is one thing that this discipline brings to research, so we always give back to those who need help. It's great to hear there are such great actions in your area against such a preventable and prevalent issue. Love you!
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