I've just returned last night from a 10-day trip to Uganda. With a team of 13 Americans, our Ugandan hosts, as well as some Americans we met along the way - we encountered thousands of kids in Jinja, Bugiri, and Soroti who are living in abject poverty. HIV/AIDS (known commonly there as 'the virus), malaria, bad water or no water, worms, malnutrition, prostitution and rape, war and civil unrest have all contributed to the vast number of orphaned and unaccompanied children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the next two weeks, I'll be sharing a day-by-day account of where we went, who we met, and how you can get involved in giving God's hope and practical help to suffering children a world away. But for today, let's together observe World Poverty Day. Start simply by recognizing that you have plenty and that many are living without. And then pray. Pray for those suffering from hunger, disease, poverty, and war. And remember, as Tito Colliander, the 20th century Orthodox mystic has sad, prayer is action. Act. Act against poverty by getting involved in the ministries your church has to the poor in your own community and those around the world. If your church isn't involved in ministry to the poor, be the voice for the voiceless. Go to 5for50.com or email me at daniel@hopechest.org to find out more about practical ways that you can pray and act against poverty.
Looking forward to reading all about the trip and seeing who you met.
Posted by: Sam & Wendi Henry | October 17, 2008 at 04:06 PM
Welcome back, Daniel! We've prayed for you, the team and the children. We look forward to reading your posts, and learning more!
Posted by: Deb | October 17, 2008 at 06:50 PM