WORLD VISION - Will you do your part to help a child in critical need?

About 15 years ago, while living in Gadsden and Rainbow City, AL, I began listening to the Rick and Bubba show http://www.rickandbubba.com/ who broadcast their show from there. Over the past several years, Rick and Bubba's show has become a nationally syndicated talk show as well as a TV show. Now that I live in VA, I listen via the Internet, to these 2 wonderful guys every morning. They are hysterically funny, have hearts of gold, and are outspoken about their faith in God - on a secular radio station! Countless times, they have had me laughing so hard that I could barely catch my breath. Most of the time, their shows are peppered with serious issues. Today is such a day as they focus their 4 hours on-air to promote and help out with the wonderful folks at World Vision. World Vision is doing unprecedented work to change the lives of thousands of children who are in critically dire circumstances around the globe. At least 85 cents of every sponsorship dollar goes directly to help a child in need. As a sponsor, you develop a true relationship with your child through letters, photos and care packages (optional) that you send your child. The children write you letters and you are able to see how your sponsorship is directly changing the life of the child. When you click on the World Vision link (provided on the home page of Rick & Bubba's website) a child's photo will appear with a description of the living conditions, health conditions, etc. of the child in need of sponsorship. Now, you have the option to search for a child with specifications that you are led to (age, country of origin, etc.) or you can do as I did and agree to sponsor the child whose info and photo appear on the page. Know that the children show up on the screen in the order of the length of time they have been waiting for sponsorship.


I should add here that my heart truly lies in home missions because I see such needs within my own community that I've always found it hard to justify sending my money outside of my own country. I've done it, but my heart hasn't always been in it - just being transparent here. BUT, God has been moving on my heart lately about expanding my giving to other areas outside of my community. It has been said, "The poorest of the poor children in the US would be RICH compared to most of the children in third world countries." So, in obedience to God's leading, this morning, I signed up to sponsor a child and her information is below. Won't you please prayerfully consider sponsoring a child who, without your help, faces a painful life of unbelievable poverty, hunger and disease. God bless you for considering this.



Congratulations! You have sponsored Tigist from Ethiopia

Tigist lives with her parents and 3 sisters. Her parents struggle to provide for the family. Her father is a farmer and her mother is a housewife. Despite their efforts, it is difficult to meet the family's needs.

Tigist and her family live in a community severely affected by the HIV and AIDS crisis. In some communities, AIDS affects the entire social structure as a generation of hardworking adults is being wiped out. Frightened children and exhausted grandparents rarely have money for food, school, or medical care. Through sponsorship, you can help with these and other basic needs for Tigist and her family.

Tigist is not in school at this time. She likes to jump rope. She helps at home by carrying water. She is in satisfactory health.

Your sponsorship commitment will help provide Tigist and her community with the assistance they need to save a generation from the HIV and AIDS crisis. World Vision will faithfully use your sponsorship support of Tigist to meet her needs and minimize the impact of AIDS in her community through tangible prevention and care programs. You are an answer to prayer, helping children and families gain access to basic needs and learn about God's unconditional love.

TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.

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Thoughts of suicide? Reach out for hope!

**The Embrace by artist Chris Hopkins.


I found myself moved to tears yesterday as I listened to a heartbroken young woman call in to my favorite Christian radio station. Deborah had planned to end her life that very day and was persuaded not to as she listened to other callers expressing the agony they were living through because their loved ones had taken their lives.

Having suffered through a major depression episode as a young woman, I know the exhaustion (both mentally and physically) one goes through. I also remember the barrage of negative thoughts that raced through my mind as I tried in vain to pull myself out of the quicksand of hopelessness that washed over my very being. Though I did not want to commit suicide, I had many thoughts of wishing that God would allow me to die. I was in such despair that I just could not imagine myself continuing to go on day after day in such an existence. This was not life, it was an existence and a horrid one.

This time in my life was short-lived and as it turns out, was my "rock-bottom". It was also the turning point in my life. I found myself crying out in shear desperation to God whom, I did not know. As His plan would play out, I was invited to attend church. This time I did. Though the experience was extremely foreign to me, when the invitation was given, I almost ran to the alter. Between my desperate sobs, the Pastor's wife explained God's plan of salvation to me and I accepted this life-changing gift.

I wish that was the end of the story, that I could tell you that I never had another period of depression. But, that is not the case. What I can tell you is that 2 years later, when I found myself sinking back into the "black hole" as I called it, I had a true relationship with Jesus and loving friends at my church. I was encouraged to seek medical help and I was bathed in prayers from those who loved me. Turns out that I had a treatable, physical medical condition that was the underlying factor of my emotional condition.

Fast-forward almost 30 years and I can honestly say that between my faith in God, my personal relationship with Jesus and continuing on the prescribed medicine, I cannot imagine my life being happier.

I'm sharing my story in hopes that it may help you or someone you know. I cannot promise that it will be easy to get out of the quicksand that pulls you into the "black hole". I cannot promise that all of your problems will magically disappear. BUT, I can promise you that there is HOPE. Hope in the form of a personal relationship with God who loves you - just the way you are. Hope in the form of new friends who will pray for you and with you. Hope, as you discover that you are wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God. Hope as you realize that God loves you......loves you unconditionally.......loves you regardless of what you have done.........loves you just the way you are. Hope, glorious hope, as you begin to believe my favorite scripture which is found in Jeremiah 29:11 "I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering."
(Contemporary English Version)

PLEASE, if you (or someone you know) are feeling so helpless and hopeless that thoughts of suicide seem to be an answer to ending the despair, PLEASE reach out for hope! Please call:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) Deaf Hotline: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
PLEASE, then call a local church and ask to speak with the pastor or staff counselor immediately.

You may also e-mail me at: InspiredDailyLiving@yahoo.com
I cannot offer you professional or Pastoral counsel, but I can offer you a compassionate heart, ongoing prayers and e-mail correspondence friendship if you like.

There IS hope - just reach out for it.
May God's love become a very real presence in your life and overshadow any pain you have been living in. YOU ARE LOVED.

**Offered on: http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/hopkins/the-embrace.htm







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