The impact of one church – part two

By on June 6, 2013 in Church, Sponsor Impact, World Poverty

The leaders at Quest Fellowship have seen over 90 percent of their people get involved in missions every month. In part one of this story, I wrote how they found Food for the Hungry and chose Mentawai, Indonesia. But the story didn’t end there – that was only the beginning. Sermon series Lead pastor Paul Roberts [...]

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Does child sponsorship really work?

By on June 5, 2013 in Sponsor Impact, Uncategorized, World Poverty

Thinking back on my initial decision to sponsor a child, I can see it was kind of a spur of the moment choice. It happened on my very first day of serving on the staff of Food for the Hungry (FH). During new staff orientation, I learned that I could check a box and sponsor [...]

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Sick boy on blanket

Remembering refugees

By on June 4, 2013 in Disaster Relief, Stories, World Poverty

Thirteen years ago, I traveled to the rugged, remote border of Ethiopia and Somalia. I met several people who had started life in Somalia, but for myriad reasons had lived for a time in Ethiopian refugee camps. And I met with many ethnic Somali families who led a nomadic lifestyle, herding cattle and goats. Nomadic [...]

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Syrian Refugees

Emotional relief is key to helping Syria’s civilian refugees

By on June 3, 2013 in Church, Disaster Relief, Stories, World Poverty

Last week, I spoke with the Food for the Hungry (FH) Director of Emergency Response Pete Howard, days after he returned from assessing conditions for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. He told many heart-wrenching stories, but the saga that touched me most was his own. Ten years ago, Pete traveled to Iraq as part [...]

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Everyone bow your heads

By on June 1, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: Praying for the most vulnerable Verse of the day: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24, ESV). This week, we’ve learned a lot about helping people both within our communities and around the world. Now, we understand that poverty [...]

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But God…?

By on May 31, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: But God …? Materials needed for today’s lesson: Plant seeds (any flower or vegetable plant) or bulbs Pots Potting soil Verse of the day: There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many? (John 6:9, ESV) In the Bible’s story of the loaves [...]

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Bugs, worms and other yucky things

By on May 30, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: Bugs, worms and other yucky things Verse of the day: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4, ESV). Worms are often found in communities that don’t have access to clean water, good quality soaps and [...]

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Clean water is life

By on May 29, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: Clean water is life Verse of the day: Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38 ESV). Did you know that the human body is made up of about 60 percent water? Clean water is one of the most important things [...]

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What causes poverty?

By on May 28, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: What causes poverty? Verse of the day: The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends (Proverbs 14:20, ESV). A frequent question from those just learning about the relationship between God and poverty is, “If God exists, and God is good, why does He allow poverty to exist?” Another [...]

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A heart for giving

By on May 27, 2013 in Sponsor Impact

Today’s lesson: How to nurture a heart for giving Materials needed for today’s lesson: Skittles “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill Verse of the day: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. [...]

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