Friday, January 28, 2011

One Day~One Lunch

“There’s a young boy over here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” John 6:9



Often times we are guilty of doing nothing because we can’t do it all. Often times we excuse ourselves from doing God’s work because we don’t believe we can make a difference with the little we have to offer.

On February 3rd marks 100 days of my 15 year old daughter, Addisyn, eating a small bowl of soup and piece of bread for lunch, like the children at the feeding program receive. Addisyn decided to do this so that she can donate her lunch money to Lifesong for Orphans for the children at the Adami Tulu preschool. You can read about what God taught Addisyn through our trips to Ethiopia here and here.

What to some may seem a small gift, God see’s the heart behind her efforts. He sees a child who is willing to give up the little she has for others who have nothing at all. He sees a child who did something for them- and in essence-did something for Him- with what she’d been given. Through a simple bowl of vegetable soup God has taught Addisyn so many lessons- in sacrifice and in integrity. He also blessed her efforts through a friend who decided to join in- doubling the gift.

As I was praying the other morning and thanking God for working in Addisyn's life- God brought to mind the little boy with five loaves of bread and two fish…. and how He took that child’s gift of giving what he could and multiplied it.

If you are reading this today- yes YOU… I’d like to ask you to be a part of something big. God usually preferred to work through His people. People just like you and me-and my 15 year old daughter. You have two choices right now. You can click off this page and pretend you didn’t read this and go on with your everyday life- or you can choose to see that God brought YOU here- to read this- for a purpose- to be a part of something big.

Do not worry, I am not going to ask you to do something you can’t- I am asking you to do something you can. The Average American spends between $2.00 and $8.00 a day on lunch. If everyone who reads this blog post would simple choose- on February 3rd to give up their ‘lunch money’ and then donate what they would have spent on lunch that day to Lifesong for the Adami Tulu preschool - can you image what Jesus could do? A mere $3.00 feeds a child for ONE MONTH. Can you imagine the impact we could make- simply by being willing to make a small sacrifice for someone else?




But more than that… can you imagine how it would affect those around us as we say ‘enough’. Enough of over abundance. Enough of the waste. Enough of going on with our lives like we are the only ones that matter. Enough of turning our back to the needs of others in this world. Enough of pretending we don’t know what to do. If a 15 year old can think of something to give, then so can you and I. No more excuses- all it takes is one day and one lunch.

So mark your calendar for Feb. 3rd and spread the word about the One Day- One Lunch Project. Put it on Facebook, add it to your blog- ask your friends, coworkers and church family to join in. Let’s make a small sacrifice- to make one big difference.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
~ Mother Teresa

Online donations: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html
**indicate for the Adami Tulu Preschool.

Mail checks to:
Lifesong for Orphans
PO Box 40
Gridley, IL 61744
For the Adami Tulu Preschool


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31 comments:

Christy said...

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to give. . .I am marking my calendar!

Danae Hudson said...

Your rice and beans month and Oxfam kind of inspired me to do something too :) http://divinemrsd.blogspot.com/2011/01/rice-month.html

And I will mark my calendar!!

Rachael. said...

This is fabulous Amy I love it!!!

Danae Hudson said...

Thank you for YOUR heart! It has certainly helped mine.

Rachael. said...

Oh I should have said count our family in and I will blog about this as well.

BrandiB said...

I absolutely love this. Count our family in!

Debbie Doughty said...

Just shared your post on my FB page. "See you" the 3rd!

Danielle said...

posted about it!!!

Phyllis said...

Count both Kristen and me in!!!
Phyllis

Matt and Sarah said...

I LOVE this! I'm marking my calendar too!

Your daughter has such a precious heart! God is going to do (and has already done) SO much through her!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

LOVE THIS!!!!! :)

Shanny said...

I'm in, I'm in!!! Looking forward to Feb. 3rd.

Difference2This1 said...

Count our family in also! Blogging about it today! Thank you Addisyn for being an example to us all. God bless, Jennifer

Unknown said...

Hey, no offense, I apreciate the sentiment, its a great idea, but Im wondering how God feels about the starving kids in our own country. Maybe this would work better and be much more benneficial, if the same thing was done for the starving kids in our own country. after all, one of the reasons our country is in such bad shape right now is because of the billions of dollars and massive amounts of aid we already send all over the world, 90% of it never reaching the intended recipients anyway. Dont get me wrong, I believe in charity and giving a helping hand, and our country helping the third world and all, but that was in times of surplus. maybe we need to take care of our own starving children first, then we can worry about feeding the drug lords who steal 90% of the aid sent to third world countries anyway. Like I said, no offense, all kids should be fed, Im just sayin...........
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!

Amy said...

Hi Tim- thanks for your comment. We have adopted two children from the US that we are providing for- and you?
Hey, I have an idea- why don't YOU do the same thing we are doing only you do it for the starving kids in America. I'll join in! :)
I agree- God Bless America- we live in a country where we have medicaid and food stamps and soup kitchens. We serve at those soup kitchens actually- and you?
We are using a reputable organization and have met the missionaries and the children it is going to- I can guarantee all of the funds will get to them and be used for exactly what we intended.
Thanks for your input- I can't wait to see what YOU do for the American children. God bless America!

Unknown said...

Amy, I do spend time volunteering my time with children. what in my post makes you think I dont? I wasn't calling into question weather the money sent to Lifesong would get to where it needs to go. I just simply want people to think abot how, and where, they spend their time and money, and where it can best be used. Im sorry If you took offense to what I said. God Bless you and your family, and thank you for all you do.

Amy said...

Tim- no offense was taken. That is great that you volunteer with children- I was just asking what you do since you were interested in where we chose to serve. :)

From our experience often people question why we adopted internationally and want to serve internatinally when there are children/people here that need help. But I believe that EVERY child- every person counts- regardless of where they were born. I hate that there are starving children in America- that is why I recommened you do something to help since you obviously feel called to that. Being in Ethiopia our eyes were opened to a poverty like we had never seen before in our lives. Trust me, it is nothing like poverty we see here in America. It was life changing for us and my daugher chose to do something about it. If God spoke to her- she needs to be obedient- regardless of if they are from the same country she is from or not. It's not about location for us- it's about a need God brought to our attention. I love to encourage people to follow their hearts and reach out and do something to wherever God has called them as well. :)

Brandy Wade said...

I am in and I'll spread the word on our blog! : ) Great idea!

Unknown said...

Count me in! :)))

Anonymous said...

Who are you people? You are amazing and such a witness for Christ. God is being glorified because of your family...Actually...your family looks a lot like heaven. Count me in!

Unknown said...

In response to Tim-
The poverty in America does not even begin to scratch the surface of the poverty in other countries. Being one who has been blessed to see with my own eyes the state of lives in other countries, the poorest of the poor here are far richer than those in others country. Like Amy said, we have thousands and thousands of soup kitchens, medicaid, food stamps, wic, etc. The people and children in these other countries have nothing. God said to "go into all nations." We are to serve the "least of these." We are a very rich country. People here don't make a $1 a day, even the man at the corner with his sign makes more than that. 30,000 children will not die tonight in the United States because of starvation and preventable diseases, nor will 30,000 tomorrow or the next day. But they will in other countries. In a year that is 10,950,000 children that will die in 2011 just from starvation and preventable diseases alone.
Jesus says in Matthew 25:45, "I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."

Unknown said...

Amy...this is wonderful!! Thank you for sharing this!!! What a joyful thing to watch your child chose the way of our Lord..love it!

Jami said...

Amy - I just linked up to this on my blog! I think I told you before that my parents started Lifesong. So on behalf of Lifesong - THANK YOU and your family for being advocates for the fatherless!! I just love you! :)

Meredith said...

Link this up on my blog and no facebook... other people I know shared it after me.

Thank you so much for sharing your heart, your faith and your family. Your obedience to God is such an inspiration to people that know you.. or just 'know' you from here.

Addisyn, You rock! You are an inspiration to teenagers (and adults) and I can't wait and see the wonderful things God is going to do through you. And the wonderful things God is already using you for. Much love!

Melissa Stuff said...

Posted on my blog as well. Hope it is an incredible success!

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting about this, count us in!! I'm reposting to my blog and facebook!

http://thelincbetweenus.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Addisyn, you are helping many young children have enough food to survive and know God loves them. I will send a check to help feed 10 of these forgotten children. God bless you and your family always.
Blessings, Betty

(I am Mattie's grandmother and Lorraine's mother and am very proud of them and their love for orphans also.)

Anonymous said...

Saw this earlier today, and challenged our youth group to do this tomorrow! It has been reposted all over FB among our small town. Everyone will bring their lunch $ back next Wednesday for us to send in together! Thanks for being such an amazing inspiration!

Deborah West
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688515066

PS link to my profile where your post was linked

Danae Hudson said...

I don't know if Tim is still coming by to check comments, but if so...

Tim (and everyone else), did you know that you can sponsor children in the US like you can in other countries? If you would like to sponsor a US child, you can go to Save The Children (http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm). There are a few more restrictions because of US privacy laws, but it's really worth it!

Elizabeth said...

I just sent over our lunch money and I blogged about it. Sorry, I didn't get a chance to blog about before now. Lots of hugs.

Unknown said...

Amy,

My husband and I are Advocates for Lifesong in Ethiopia and we want to say a huge "Thank You" in behalf of the precious children at the Adami Tulu school in Ethiopia, for Addison's idea of the One Day/One Lunch project. The breakfast and lunch that the kids receive at school each day is making an important difference in their lives. Addison has already made a big contribution to these children. I was at the school when the school bags that Addison collected were handed out. The joy on those little faces was a sight I will always remember. Addison is fighting poverty in the world and truly making a difference!
Thank you to all of you that gave up your lunch money for these very, very poor children. Every penny you donated will go to buy food for the kids. That is why I love volunteering for Lifesong for Orphans. Their administrative costs are covered by another foundation and the American administrators in Ethiopia have raised their own support, so 100% of donations go directly to the vulnerable children. God enjoys working through His children to get His work done!