I tried last night to post some pictures of a recent visit we had with a family friend, but blogger was uncooperative. I'll try again later. Instead, I posted a picture of my sister, so she would actually read my post. It cracks me up that some people refuse to read words in a blog unless it has pictures. So Tammie, since that's your rule, this is what you get. Hope you enjoyed your hot dog.

I wanted to post something I read recently. It blew my mind, and I'd love some thoughts on how to make individual changes to rectify these problems with poverty. I know that's the question alot are asking, but I really do struggle with how to change my personal life to meet the needs of these people. We've tossed around moving into a community where it would be easier to serve others, adopting a child out of poverty, but I really do struggle with everyday practical changes to make. We've already changed the way we spend our money by living on a small budget and asking do we "need" this or "want" this before we purchase anything. Changing your lifestyle financially and becoming a good steward of your money is such a peaceful way of life, I highly recommend it. "It" being some program to help teach you to manage money conservatively- our choice was Dave Ramsey's method.

I find myself reading these statements below and screaming "how can this be possible???" However, what am I doing in my life to make it not possible? Does throwing money at it really help?

Anyway, I'd love some reaction to this below.

Did you know that in our world today:


One third of deaths - some 18 million people a year or 50,000 per day -re due to poverty-related causes. That's 270 million people since 1992, the majority women and children, roughly equal to the population of the US. (Reality of Aid 2004)


Every year more than 10 million children die of hunger and preventable diseases - that's over 30,000 per day and one every 3 seconds. (80 Million Lives, 2003 / Bread for the World / UNICEF / World Health Organization)


Over 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day with nearly half the world's population (2.8 billion) living on less than $2 a day. (UN HDR, 2003)


600 million children live in absolute poverty. (SCF, Beat Poverty 2003).


The three richest people in the world control more wealth than all 600 million people living in the world's poorest countries. (Source:ChristianAid)


Income per person in the poorest countries in Africa has fallen by a quarter in the last 20 years. (Source:ChristianAid) More and more people are becoming poor.


800 million people go to bed hungry every day. (Source:FAO)


Americans spent:


8 billion dollars on Christmas decorations in 2007
2 billion dollars on Easter chocolate in 2008
40 billion dollars on dog food in 2007


How big is a billion? If you had a billion one dollar bills and laid them end to end they would stretch 97,000 miles - nearly 4 times around the earth.


If you stacked them one on top of the other they would reach 47 miles high.


If you counted to 1 billion - without stopping it would take you 16 years.