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I was in the airport in Wyoming when I first saw the pictures. In the 2 weeks since, I have watched and prayed and thought and laid awake and pondered. Maybe this blog is my "two mites;" I know God wants to use it to help answer the prayers and cries of suffering people.
I'm talking about the crisis unfolding in Somalia, impacting areas in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Millions of people are being impacted in the first official famine declared by the UN in the 21st century. The first chance of rain is expected to be October. The Dadaab Refugee Camp is overflowing with over 400,00 people, with 1,300 more arriving daily. Refugees are walking out of Somalia for up to 50 miles, just to reach the camp and a chance for food many haven't had in a week. Surviving parents are making the difficult decision to leave some children alone to die on the road when they are too weak to go on. Along the way, women are facing increasing violence and sexual assault from the truly wicked.
This crisis is the result of an awful collision of drought, food prices, and violence. Many people are responding in the name of many worthwhile things, but I want to respond on behalf of God's name. I was waiting for someone else to lead the way, but God has imprinted an idea of His on my heart and mind that I am sure He is waiting for me to obediently respond to.
There are 4 Saturdays in August. One one or more or all of the Saturdays in August, would you forgo solid food with me and use the money, instead, to give it to meet needs in Somalia?
I'm asking for you to think, pray, and give for "Somalia on Saturdays." I'm calling it "S.O.S." for short. I want us to remember to pray for those who are suffering every time a hunger pang strikes or the abundance passes us.
Many experienced organizations are intervening. As of now, these are faith based organizations I have found that are already on the ground or implementing plans of support in crisis areas: (Click on any one to read about their plans.)
You don't have to tell me if you give or where you give or how much you give. Just give in Jesus' name in the way He would give. Will you help me honor Him by taking at least one Saturday this month to think, pray, and give to "Somalia on Saturday?" I know the Lord is calling me to act, and I pray He will call you too to join me in S.O.S.
I've created a Facebook event to help spread the word. Please visit and help spread the word so that more followers of God will act on His behalf in response to the cries of Africa.
If you are a blogger who wants to join me and share this wherever you have "two mites," feel free to copy the code. We are using the hashtag #SOSproject on Twitter.
6 COMMENTS ~ Click here to leave a COMMENT:
Bless you, Julie! We all possess the compassion to support these precious people and I can't think of a better way than SOS.
OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over....little apprehensive about the next few weeks! I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony...not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!
OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over....little apprehensive about the next few weeks! I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony...not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!
I can relate. Some of those "unexpected results" of SOS have been what God showed me about what I think about, what I depend on, and what I love. H challenged me to commit to disciplining my thought life, to consider if I'm really having the "mind of Christ." Yes, He uses things to speak to us individually, and I'm right there with you! I'm anticipating what else He wants to show me about ME while turning my heart to Him for others. So glad you've joined me Cindy!
Julie Sanders
www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com
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To Julie and all who gave to help the people of Somalia, My name is Claudia Gardner and I work for World Help in Forest, VA. We received a $600 donation from West Park Baptist Church and I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all who contributed to this great need. So far, World Help has collected enough money to provide 27 containers of food and medicine for the people effected by this famine in Somalia. We praise God for these provisions. Please continue to pray for this great need. Pray for the shipping and distribution of these much needed supplies. World Help will continue to raise awareness for this cause and trust God to provide the resources needed to send more containers of food, water and medicine. To God be the Glory! To learn more about what World Help is doing please go to: http://www.worldhelp.net/hornofafrica
It's our joy to join you in serving the Lord in Somalia, Claudia. Thank you to you and World Help for representing God in a dark place. We're praying for those who are on the ground daily. Yes, To God Be The Glory!!!
Julie Sanders
www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com
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