Important

It's important to know specifically where your assistance is going.  I've had several people mention lately about always wondering if they're assistance actually got to the intended place.  One of the things I like about FOVC is that they're a small organization with boots on the ground.  They know the exact needs of the people in their area.  And they're working tirelessly to meet those needs. 

 

I recently saw pics on the White House website of some important people visiting the famine hit areas.  I will have a post up by Saturday morning that talks specifically about their trip and how it confirms the work FOVC is doing.  In the mean time, know that these are the faces of people who need help, people that FOVC can feed with your help.  Please check out www.fovc.org and click on the Feed Hope (relief) link.   

Tickets, Get your Tickets

Today Lory firmed up mine and Joe's tickets.  We're leaving Oct 21st and returning October 30th.  Out of a nearby airport for a very reasonable price.  Thank you Lord! 

 

guess now I should start thinking a little more seriously about how I'm going to fund my trip... looking at a total of roughly $2500 this time.

FOVC tshirts for sale

FOVC is selling shirts designed by yours truly.   The two pics you see are the two sides of the shirt.  The Africa logo is on the front and the FOVC logo/website is on the back.  For $20, you get a cool tshirt, FOVC gets a few bucks (it's not much), and we all get to share with others about what's going on in the horn of africa and what good things FOVC is doing.  Wanna order.  I would be so thankful if you do. 

 

If you order, I'd love to post a pic of you in your shirt on my blog.  Also, if you raise $250 for FOVC's campaign to FEED HOPE (http://www.fovc.org/grassroots.html), you will get one of these sweet tshirts as a thank you. 

 

So, go here http://www.fovc.org/store.html to place your order.  Pretty please.

Give UP

This week we've been busy with bible school each night, an extra 5 year old in the house and the loss of our 6 friends (they didn't die or anything, just moved out).  All the while, I have in the back of my mind, this drought and famine going on in Ethiopia.  I find the little things that we do that are so wasteful.  And I imagine how I could give that stuff up, save the money, and send it to feed someone during this famine. 
 
I wonder why not everyone is doing something.  After all, we're not all called to be passionate about it, but we are all commanded to look after the widows and the orphans in their distress [bible: james 1:27]. 
 
So in thinking about what I could be doing, or how I could be doing things differently, I thought I'd just share a few ideas:

• Cheap frappuccino.  So, maybe you're not able to give up your morning coffee drink, but there's a cheaper way you can do it.  On Sunday I served my cousin a famine friendly version of a expensive coffee: one pot of coffee with a can of sweetened condensed milk mixed in, chilled, and served over ice.  Cousin T liked it.  And she texted me on Wednesday to tell me that I saved her $12 so far this week.  How 'bout that.  Now imagine if each week she saved her $12 and put it towards FOVC's campaign to FEED HOPE during the famine.  In 8 weeks, she would have $96 to donate.  And if just 10 of us did that same thing, we'd have almost $1,000.  Crazy how quickly that can add up!  (disclaimer: now I'm not suggesting T do this, in fact, I know she's saving for increased child care costs but it's just an idea)
• On Fridays, the staff at our neigboring office always eats out together.  I love that they prioritize one lunch break each week to sit down together.  Today I joined them.  My lunch was cheap but was still $5.15.  Imagine if instead of eating out, the 5 of them rotated making something at home and bringing it in to share.  At half the cost of the meal over an 8 week period, they would have $100 to donate and probably would have eaten healthier meals too. 
• The CHANGE jar.  How many of you have a change jar or use the cigarette tray in your car for loose change?  I have one too.  Except I don't carry cash very often.  I find myself with cash and wasting it so I try to put the cash in the change jar.  Sometimes it's a twenty and sometimes it's quarters.  But every time it's not money I absolutely need right now or I'll starve.  Imagine if I cashed that out and donated it, how it could CHANGE someone's life who literally is starving.
• Vacations.  Ryan and I don't do glamorous vacations.  In fact, our last family vacation was probably to CA in 2008 to visit my family and friends.  Anyway, some friends were looking at awesome Mexico vacations and I thought that my husband might enjoy something like that instead of me using all my vacation time on mission trips.  Then I happened to see a magazine article highlighting local places in the midwest that are on a lakefront.  That wouldn't be too bad.  A couple hours drive, a night on the lake and some good food.  But that magazine is collecting dust while I think of other alternatives.  What about a little bed and breakfast an hour away.  I'd still get the time away with my hubby without all the time driving, the expense of fuel, or the expense of a fancy resort.  And the money I save can go to feeding a family who desperately needs a hand up.

 
Is this drought and famine on your mind at all.  What are you doing to help out.  Those people are certainly orphans, widows and oppressed.  I help because I want to.  But I also help because I don't want to stand before the almighty God when he asks me what I did for His children and not have an answer.  What are you willing to give up?

the "F" word

It's sad to hear the "F" word: famine.  When you understand the definition of it, it literally takes my breath away.  Here's what TIME reported about the "F" word:
 
The word 'famine' may be a familiar one, but it is not thrown around lightly by the people who decide when there is one. The fact that most of us today probably associate the term with the 1984 crisis in Ethiopia is testament to its exceedingly careful dispensation; to use it too often would dilute its power to command the attention of the press and governments around the world. Famines don't happen overnight, but when the United Nations declares one, those governments are expected to pay attention – and help pay to get the situation under control.


Read more: http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2011/07/22/famine-in-somalia-when-does-the-world-decide-to-use-the-%e2%80%98f%e2%80%99-word/#ixzz1US2wEiy2

IMPORTANT

So, I haven't written much about it. When I did, I shared MY wishes and not FOVC's. Now, FOVC has had a chance to get their leadership on board with a huge fundraiser. I mean, doable, but huge. It's directly related to the famine. But it's so much more than that. It's long term, tangible help. Feeding them during this emergency crisis but teaching them to provide for themselves long term. To be prepared for the next drought.

We can't fathom the implications of the drought because we have insurance when our things get destroyed. They don't. I'm impressed by the the focus and strategy of FOVC. I've read some lately about us thinking we're helping but we're really hurting them long term. I can attest that this plan does NOT put them in that situation. Emergency, short term relief (what FOVC is doing) is important in times of crisis. But it's also important to teach a man to fish so to speak. FOVC is also doing that. I'm proud of the work FOVC is doing. And I'm proud to partner with them.

So, please, please, please head over to the FOVC's page on project Feed Hope and check out all the specifics of what they're doing. I'll give you a hint: it has to do with 30 G's.

Facing Famine

As Southern Ethiopia is staring famine in the face, FOVC continues to put together the details of the Emergency Action and Intervention plan.  This plan is a plea for help.  But not just to beg for food for the famine, it's to continue to encourage and train the locals.  To prepare them.  Two of these three pictures are a good reminder of who needs our support.  One of the pictures was just for fun :)
 
If you'd like to read more about the issues in Southern Ethiopia, check out the FOVC blog at http://www.fovc.org/blog.html