I just heard a story about a 16 year old girl who sponsors 14 compassion kids. 14. Not one or two, but 14. 14 kids at $32 a month is... $448 a month. She works extra in the summers, "60 or 70 hours a week" she said and keeps a job during the school year so she can afford it. So let me get this straight...here's a teenager who cares so much about kids around the world who are hungry, naked, uneducated and don't know Jesus, that she's willing to sacrifice not just her hard earned money, but her time and energy as well. That makes me want to high-five her like she's never been high-fived before!!
Then I started thinking about this guy Zach Hunter. 
Have you heard this story? He's 16 and was interviewed on ABC because he's trying to end slavery around the world. Here's the ABC story if you want to read it and a YouTube link:
ABC News story
YouTube video
I love hearing stories like this!! Partly because it kicks me in the pants and makes me do stuff and partly because I see something happening in this younger generation. What I'm hearing is that a lot of you are tired of playing the church game and want to actually DO something with the life you've been given. Which sounds a lot more like Jesus than just collecting more information and rules to live by but never applying any of them.
So now I'm wondering...who's out there? Who are you and what are you doing with the life you've been given? Is there anyone out there with a story to share that would encourage the rest of us and maybe help us do something ourselves instead of just thinking about it? And before anyone starts to respond that you can't be someone who makes a difference, remember what Jesus said:
"Apart from Me you can do nothing" but "I can do all thing through Him who strengthens me."
John 15:5b & Philippians 4:13
Comments (6)
Well, last summer me and my friend, Erica remembered raising money for a well in Africa, and we thought, "Why not help the kids in OUR area? There's plenty of families around here who are hurting way more than we may ever be." So we raised money and bought some fleece to make blankets. Some of our mom's friends even donated the extra fleece they had for us to use. We made about 13 blankets and donated them and the extra money to a local ministry charity in our county. They were so glad to receive them and thanked us very much.
Posted by Bailey | September 16, 2008 1:18 PM
This is so kwl!! i think its so important to sponser and to care for these kids. Because they are our brothers and sisters in christ so think of them as one of yuor favorite siblings dying no food no clothes absolutly nuthin...
Posted by Kerri | September 18, 2008 3:51 PM
Hi'
I LOVE THIS BLOG!!! i feel da same world; i'm redi 2 make a difference not only in my church but in my school and in the world all 4 Christ. i know that sounds kinda cheesey, but i'm sick of just sittin around, watching ppl go thru life with no hope. God called me to go on a mission trip 2 da United Kingdom next summer, sharing da love of Christ 2 stangers. this is tuff cause i'm xtremely shy!! I'm trusting God knowing that He's with me and i can do ANYTHING THRU HIM!!! thxns soo much 4 the encouragmant that i can do BIG things, even though i'm 16
Love y'all,
KI-KI
Posted by kierria | September 20, 2008 10:39 AM
i would love to do somethin like that, but its really hard to start out. im too young to go on mission trips still, but i know i will as soon as i am. i want to sponsor a kid? how do you do it?
Posted by Audrey | September 21, 2008 5:52 PM
Audrey - sponsoring a kid is easy but you'll probably need your parent's ok and help to get signed up. check out www.compassion.com or www.worldvision.org and then talk to your folks. i love that you're wanting to help others!!
Posted by Jamie | September 22, 2008 2:03 PM
zach hunter has also published a book and has started an organization called "loose change to loosen chains" i purchased the book from lifeway just out of curiosity and read it then my church got involved and now my school is trying to also.
Posted by Jordan | December 29, 2008 10:40 AM