Sally Struthers and the Shattucks

Sorry, but to be quite honest, any time I have ever thought about "sponsor-a-child" programs, Sally Struthers always come to mind. I remember her interrupting me when I was a kid...sitting there watching my favorite TV show cut off for some boring woman to go on and on about children starving somewhere on the other side of the globe. "Get on with it!", I'd think. "Back to what's important...the Transformers!"

Interesting how all the years later I find myself still thinking about Sally...well, at least about her cause. How many of us still have those pictures in our minds...the little kids with the swollen stomachs because of malnutrition? Of course the only thing that has changed over all of these years are the dates and the statistics (which get worse and worse because of global neglect).

I've always, seemingly, known about the economic and social problems of Africa and other 3rd world nations. Don't you like saying it that way? It sounds so nice and to the point. It allows us to talk about the situation without saying, "I'm aware that there are millions on the brink of death, millions who have died because of living in utter poverty, men...women...children who have to bathe in and then drink or cook with the same water, millions suffering from the ravages of HIV/AIDS including children who got it NOT because of sexual promiscuity, etc. We don't want to say it that way because it pulls too much at our hearts then and makes us feel like we should be doing something...at least for me.

Even though I've always known about it, I've always ignored it. Just thought it wasn't my "fight", other people would take care of it, surely the U.N. or U.S. or some other abbreviated organization would bring an end to the despair. But that hasn't happened over the years. The "abbreviations" aren't doing anything...strike that...we aren't doing anything. Just take a look at these figures of what we spend on given items a year (collectively) vs. what it would take to solve some of the world's most pressing issues.

You know, I'm someone who thinks huge...wants to change the world as a follower of Christ. Lately I've come to realize that often I need to be more of a doer than just a dreamer. So, I just wanted to share (not because of trying to flaunt it...but because it's simple and can be done by anyone) that the Shattucks are going to sponsor a child with World Vision. Likely it will be a child from Rwanda as we have been deeply moved over the last years for this place...and most recently had that rekindled watching "Hotel Rwanda" a few weeks ago.

One man...not one family can change the world. But hopefully we can make the difference in at least one family who is struggling desparately in a place where none of us would want to be in life. And I'm thankful that God has brought me here...that He's given me this burden, this passion...this better understanding of what it means to be His hands, His feet to the world.

Ever heard someone say "I'm blessed to be a blessing"? Well friend...that's me. And more, if you have been given the gift of life through becoming a follower of Christ, then it's you too. Let's be more aware of how we can change the world together by meeting real needs of the people around us...be that on your street or somewhere on the other side of the globe!