Archive | February, 2013

Which Downton Abbey character are you?

By on February 15, 2013 in World Poverty

NOTE: The following post includes many references to the PBS Masterpiece Theater drama “Downton Abbey.”  I believe it is inevitable. Despite the plot twists and character turns of the period piece melodrama, I believe I can predict one thing about Downton Abbey: The character I dislike the most, will NOT die. Before you write me [...]

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Children inspiring hope

By on February 15, 2013 in From Our Leadership, Sponsor Impact, Stories, World Poverty

Since becoming Chief Development Officer at Food for the Hungry in 2011, I have spent a lot of time visiting our work around the world. A consistent heart-changing experience for me in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America is seeing the inspiring hope inside our communities. To look into the eyes of children who [...]

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Boy in Peru

On the edge of the fiscal cliff … again

By on February 14, 2013 in From Our Leadership, Uncategorized, World Poverty

Yesterday, I had the privilege of visiting the office of a prominent U.S. Senator here in Washington D.C. to discuss the once-again looming fiscal cliff. We talked about what faith-based organizations, like Food for the Hungry (FH), can do to get the word out to Christians across this nation about the importance of foreign assistance to help the world’s [...]

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Growing love and respect on Valentine's Day

Growing love and respect for Valentine’s Day

By on February 14, 2013 in Stories, World Poverty

Since today is Valentine’s Day, it seems fitting to celebrate with Peruvians Wilmer and Elizabeth. In their country, Valentine’s Day is called Día de San Valentín or Día del Amor y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship). It’s a national holiday, and Peruvians exchange cards, chocolates, teddy bears and other expressions of affection. Not [...]

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Bangladesh: Girls reaching their God-given potential

By on February 13, 2013 in Sponsor Impact, Stories, Women of Action

As I wake from jet lag at 3 a.m., the girls in the Wari slum of Dhaka are just getting out of school. I can’t help but wonder what else I can do to help them finish their education and grow up to become thriving young women.   So, how can we help girls half way [...]

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40 Days of Giving

By on February 13, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Each year, my wife Jennica asks me if I’m going to give up anything for Lent. She holds to the tradition of making a sacrifice during these 40 days, giving up meat, caffeine or sweets. I’ve only participated once – giving up caffeine during Lent last year, though this year I’m giving up all but [...]

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What cultural lies are you buying into?

By on February 11, 2013 in Stories, World Poverty

“The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are [...]

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Heidi poses for a photo Rahki and her sister Lota.

Two buzzwords you should think about this month

By on February 8, 2013 in Sponsor Impact, Stories, World Poverty

Empowered women. These buzzwords have saturated the office and web lately here at Food for the Hungry (FH). Why’s that? Well, FH is gearing up for the upcoming International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. We’re doing so by hosting an International Women’s Day 5k Walk on March 10. Posters have been printed and emails have [...]

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Justice is a step beyond compassion

By on February 7, 2013 in Church, World Poverty

“The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” – Psalm 33:5 Later this month, I’ll be at the Justice Conference in Philadelphia. (If you’ll be there too, see my note at the end of this post about our pastors luncheon.) Hundreds of thought leaders, church representatives, and practitioners from [...]

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sock being made on double pointed knitting needles

Farmers inspire me to knit my socks

By on February 5, 2013 in World Poverty

In August 2012, I became a great-aunt for the first time. I have always been a good aunt — just ask my niece — but when my dear niece had twin boys, I graduated to GREAT aunt. I grew up with a plethora of great aunts. Like all good Northern farm girls, they could knit up [...]

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