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Challenge.03
We don't have to go hungry very often, so maybe choosing to do so voluntarily for just one meal can help us empathize. Skip a meal and donate the $15 to an organization like World Vision (or a non-profit of your choice) that is working to get food to people in impoverished countries

Response.01 - Pam L.

What a luxurious privilege. That skipping a meal is completely optional.

I have the power of choice. I could choose which meal to skip and when to do it, since I have a life in which all of my basic needs are met with abundance, excess, and enough that some even go to waste. How is it that I am favored enough to have such a charmed life, with plenty of frills to spare? That I always have food on reserve, in my office drawer, in my fridge, in my cupboards. That I just came back from a lavish vacation in which food and drinks were limitless everyday. That even if I missed out on one meal, I'm healthy and nourished enough, so the discomfort is minimal.

It was laughable, how I was fussing over the best day and easiest meal to forgo. I almost never skip meals. So yes, I excessively thought this one through: Ok, not in the morning, because I just CAN'T go without breakfast. But if I skip lunch, I won't have the energy or concentration to be productive for the day. Fine. Dinner it is. And this was just about choosing the meal. I also went on to think about what would be the most comfortable and convenient day...

I had reflected upon this so thoroughly that logging onto World Vision and donating ended up on the backburner. Upon the realization of my undue silliness and selfishness, I went to the World Vision website, and immediately, a 10 second video called "Global Food Crisis" began to play; it was sobering to see the reality of the devastation in the impoverished, anonymous faces of children from around the world. The images and wails of skeletal children are haunting. What a heart wrenching reality, that every 7 seconds, a child dies from the "silent killer" of starvation. So now what?

With an overwhelming amount of worthy causes in desperate need of support, I'm afraid of learning the details because I'll sink into gloomy thoughts and feelings of pity, helplessness, and dismay. I need to be reminded that although world crises such as starvation are exponentially larger than an individual can undertake, it is comforting to know there are organizations of people who care enough, relentlessly pursuing and providing relief. May World Vision and the people they serve continue to be in awe of the glory of His favor, peace, grace, and mercy. May He meet with them each and every day.

Read Response.02

Read Response.03

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