In the last few weeks I have been studying Africa in school and some of the problems that it faces. Coincidentally, or maybe not so much, My youth group is getting ready to complete a commitment that we made this summer to do a 30 hour famine. It is amazing what I have learned as we prepare for the famine. I knew that some people went hungry but it just seemed so far off. But then I started doing some research and learning and it is unbelievable.
I never considered myself or my family a rich family by any means; I mean sometimes things are pretty tight. But in my research it all started to register. 8% of the world has a car. I have 3 right now sitting in my drive way. One is an old beat up van that no one likes to ride in because the heat doesn't work and neither does the air conditioning. But to 92% of the world they look at my family riding in that beat up van and think wow they are so lucky. I go to my kitchen sink and pour myself a glass of water and if I don't finish it all I dump it down the drain. There are billions of people who would watch me getting that glass of water and think wow that must be really nice to get clean water when you want it.
Did you know that experts say that to get rid of world hunger, to supply the entire world with food and clean drinking water it would take about $20 billion? Did you know that in America that much is spent each year on ice-cream? Isn't that mind boggling? In just one hour 1200 kids die from being hungry. (And I thought being hungry was when I skipped breakfast and then forgot my lunch)
I don't really want to make this one of those things that people read and get sent on a guilt trip or think oh no not another one of these world peace people. But this is something that has really been sticking with me. It costs a dollar to help feed one person for an entire day. I can't buy a pack of gum without thinking differently.
My point about all of this was that isn't it strange? The bible says that we are to do good works, to "fix the world" and people like me thought that they didn't have enough resources to make a difference.
Over the last few weeks I can't help but think about how God must feel. When He sees His beautiful children suffering and other children like me so blind to it all, I wonder what happens. I think that His heart breaks. I think that God probably gets a little angry that mere distance and greed is keeping people from helping each other.
Anyone who reads this has access to a computer. You're rich. They have bumper stickers that say God bless our country but if you are reading this God has blessed you and your country. God doesn't need to bless our country He needs us to let His blessings spill over and Bless other people.

Anyway, I just wanted to share what's been on my mind lately.

Greetings Baconquizzer,

Your beautiful and thought provoking post should give all people a timely message that should invoke deep introspection.

After thinking about your post, I did a little simple math calculation.

You indicated that approximately $20 billion would solve world hunger.

The solutions to complex problems can be amazingly simple!


If only 10% of the world population gave only $1 per month to humanitarian aid, this would amount to an astounding 8.04 billion dollars per year!

If this tiny amount were continued for only 3 years this amount would then total 24.12 billion dollars!

More than enough to solve the problem!

Well said baconquizer! Your post is a welcome reminder of how blessed we are...and the responsibility that goes with it.

i have nothing to say, i encountered them everyday...

This is a thought inspiring post. it really is....

there is probably no good way to say what I going to, but still, I gonna do it.

I have no idea where the 20 billion number comes from. I have heard it many times, I would love to see the problem solved, but it is way more than tossing money at it. I served in the Army and I have seen first hand how NGO's bring food to areas and the people the food is meant for get killed trying to get it. this has, and is still happening by people who want to stay in power. these people are miss guided to be sure but it does not change that they are doing it.

what is worse is they take kids and roll them in to their forces to keep it going. and if the kids do not do as they are told it will be the last time they take that stance. I really wish giving money was the answer but all to often it can make thing worse.

water is a perfect example, I have come into areas where a village gets ripped to shreds basically because a well meaning church built a well to help, and then that area becomes part of a power play after the church finishes and leaves. I not saying by any means we should not help - we should. I am just saying it way bigger then putting food on the table.

sorry if this a downer, I have just seen some things.

I think we as the world need to sit down and have a real talk- I am not so sure our "leaders" are doing it. the talk has to be uncomfortable because the subject matter is down right sicking. the united nations paints a picture that do this. really? they have had plenty of time to do something. they are as guilty as the lunatics of these rag tag power hungry groups I am talking about.

so I guess we can help where we can but we need to make sure the ones we do give money to really have their finger on the pulse of what is going on. that and we need to pray--- a lot...