F is for Famine (southern Somalia food crisis)
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat…” ~ Jesus
Famine was officially declared by the UN in two regions of southern Somalian on Wednesday. Relief efforts are complicated by the fact that Islamic militants aligned with Al Qaeda control the famine zones (Read more). Just this morning I read,
“The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice” (Proverbs 13:23).
At this point it is estimated that 3.7million people are in need of “emergency assistance.”
Just to put that in perspective: That’s the entire population of Oregon.
Can you even imagine? If the entire state of Oregon were on the brink of destruction? That’s how many people this affects.
I know it’s not simple, but here are three easy ways to do something. Not out of guilt, but for the glory of God. Remember Jesus’ words:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
1. Pray
The greatest source of joy in my life lately has been the profound realization that our God is great, our God is glorious, and our God can do anything He pleases. He is not limited by our limitations, He is not bound by our weakness. Our God can work miracles, the greatest of which is the salvation of a soul. The greatest need of those in Southern Somalia is to know Jesus Christ our Lord. They will truly have nothing to fear if they know the One who saves their soul from death. Our primary responsibility is then to pray for the gospel to go forth in power in every region of Somalia.
We can also pray against corruption, against sin, against Islamic militants who are used by the evil one to bring death and destruction. Prayer isn’t our last resort it’s our first response.
Will you pray with me?
2. Give.
World Vision (and many others I’m sure) do have an effective aid-presence in Somalia and have reported that they will continue to provide help as they are able.
By giving here, your gift will be multiplied five times over and provided to those in the most need of emergency relief. Surely a few times skipping Starbucks and we can help, just a bit, the 3.7 million in need of emergency aid.
Will you give with me?
3. Go without.
I recently read a great post by a friend of mine who is currently in Rwanda. She talked about walking through the heat and becoming SO thirsty, and yet knowing that at any moment she could reach inside her bag and grab her bottle of clean drinking water. And yet, she remembers that there are a billion people who do not have access to clean drinking water. It’s one thing to read the number, right?
It’s another thing to get thirsty.
Going without a meal doesn’t make you any more spiritual, but it does give you a teeny tiny droplet of understand of what it’s like to not have food. It’s helps us, just a tad, to humble ourselves and remember our dear brothers and sisters who live like that everyday. Just one meal, perhaps?
Will you go without with me?
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I do wish you a blessed and abundant weekend. He’s lavished us with extravagant love, hasn’t He?
{Thank you for reading.}