What Would Life Be Like?

Do the Famine...

And find out.
We dare you!

Experiencing a 'Food Shortage' in Area 56

On Sunday, January 8th, our Area 56-ers got to do a little 'hands-on' experiment with a very limited food supply.

Miss Florence gave them a small bowl of cooked rice and 2 apples. This had to be shared among 20 students.

The apples had to be cut into small slivers and the kids had to figure out how to share the cooked rice. They ended up sharing 2 tablespoons per kid. Miss Florence told the kids that sometimes, after a meal like the one they had before them (if you call that a 'meal') they could possibly go several days before eating again. Needless to say, several of the kids were shocked to see how little some people had to live on.

The purpose of this visual activity was to show our 5th and 6th graders what food shortage looks like for families in famine stricken countries. There is no abundance. There are no cupboards with food storage. There is no supermarket to pick up a snack. Many of these families work to produce their own food and it is so sparse that not all family members can eat every day. Sadly, most of the governments of countries affected do not have an infrastructure to care for their poorest, starving people (soup kitchen, food banks, etc.).

But (if you are an Area 56-er or relative of one reading this) just know that there IS something you can do to help people who live in places where food is not a luxury!

You can participate in Shadow Mountain Church's 30 Hour Famine! You can ask friends and family members to donate money while you fast for 30 hours. (or if that isn't possible, try skipping a meal!) You will also get to participate in some really cool, fun stuff during the 30 hours. There will be a scavenger hunt and a video at the church. When the 30 hours is over, Area 56-ers are invited to come back to the church and join the Amped kids and other participating individuals for communion and potluck. (More details will be handed out on Sunday in your Area 56 class.)

All proceeds will go towards the Mission trip in November to help feed the hungry in Haiti. What a great way for 5th and 6th graders to participate in making a difference in our world!

I want to encourage and challenge all our Area 56 kids who are or are considering participating in the 30 Hour Famine with Scripture. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith..." 1 Timothy 4:12.

Regardless of grade or age YOU can be the difference.

So here is the challenge: God is about to do great things through the SMC 30 Hour Famine...are you in??

I Resolve...To Love Hungry

If you heard the sermon today, you'll know the meaning behind "I Resolve." If you missed it, I suggest you get yourself a CD and start the New Year off right :o) Thanks, Pastor Cory, for an inspiring challenge to get us off to a great start in 2012!

Much of Jesus' life on Earth involved praying and fasting. He voluntarily went hungry so others would ultimately reap the benefits of His time with God. If we claim to love Jesus, then we better love who He loves. And if we claim to love others, then why not love them in a whole new way?

Can you sacrifice the one thing you probably take for granted more than any other thing in you life? Will you love hungry and go without food, so other don't have to?

This year, don't let your New Year's Resolutions just be about what you want to improve in your life. Let them be about letting God use you for however He wants to use you in the lives of others.

Warning: Strange and wonderful things start happening when you jump out of your "comfortable boat." Things you will look back on and say "Thank you, God, for the push!"

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts,
there can be no more hurt, only more love. -Mother Teresa