One of the things that buzzes constantly in the back of my head is that both of the kids are from large families (6 and 7 kids), the girl has two other siblings in Compassion, the boy has none, and while I know that my kids are getting at least one meal a day, and sometimes food packets sent home for the weekends, I wonder about the rest of the family. I’ve read among these Compassion blogs that often times, when food is sent home for the child for a week, it is split among the family, and consumed in roughly a day. And also,

From the blog “Silent Tsunami”

Silent Tsunami
Approximately 95 percent of Compassion-assisted children are feeling the effects of the [global food] crisis. Many are living on one meal a day — receiving it at their child development centers — and struggling with feelings of guilt and sadness because their family members don’t receive the same benefit.

I can understand that sort of guilt. I too come from a family of six kids, and being the oldest, have often sacrificed my portion for my siblings, or split a special treat, that was given specifically to me, 8 ways. Not to say that I understand painful hunger, I just understand the obligation and attachment to family. I would do the same.

Another post (that I can’t seem to locate) talked about how many families in Haiti are so comfortable in the lives they live, even though they are starving, rather than take advantage of the vocational training opportunities, the parents will just wait for donations and family gifts.

Now, this whole long thing buzzes at the back of my minds because for my two kids, their families, though for the most part I know nothing about them, are my families…I want to be contributing something to the welfare of the family that would not only help them now, but give them a foot up towards helping themselves. I send family gifts, but I assume they will be used for immediate needs, and I cannot blame them. What I want to know is, does anyone have a creative suggestion about how to send “Fishing lessons” across the globe, rather than just handing “leftovers” to parents?

How many of us forget the reality of the one person behind the campaigns for the millions who are starving.

I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for YOU!!!”

Two dollars and forty cents–nothing, to us. To a child in poverty, it’s the world.

Five loaves, two fish–lunch for one boy, but in the right hands, more enough to feed more than 5,000 people. Jesus makes all the difference.