There are 132 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. In some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, one of every ten children is an orphan. The need for orphan care is staggering. In this interview, Chad Mower shares about a unforgettable 13-year-old he met in Ethiopia while on an open team. It’s a story of finding hope in a tragic situation.
Chad Mower volunteers as an Advocate with Food for the Hungry. He lives in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
There are 132 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America. http://www.unicef.org/media/media_45290.html. In some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, over 10% of children are orphans. The need for orphan care is staggering. In this interview, Chad Mower shares about a unforgettable 13-year-old he met in Ethiopia while on an open team http://fh.org/help/individuals/teams/join . It’s a story of finding hope in a tragic story.
Chad Mower volunteers as an Advocate http://fh.org/advocate with Food for the Hungry. He lives in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
In this third foundational episode, we look at the roots of poverty. If we provide food, health, and education to people living in poverty, will we solve the problem? Or does poverty run deeper?
Key thoughts:
Our understanding of how life works must be defined by God. (Romans 12:2)
When we don’t listen to what God says about how life works, poverty happens somewhere. (Matthew 12:33-35)
Our quality of life is based on the behaviors of ourselves and those around us, and those behaviors are ultimately rooted in beliefs and values.
We must address the root causes of poverty—beliefs and values—in order to make lasting change.
Before pointing fingers, American Christians should examine our own alignment to biblical values.
Our daily life is influenced by the way we understand heaven and God’s kingdom. In this interview, Beth Allen shares insight gained from reading Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. Beth applies an understanding of the new heaven and new earth to cross-cultural work, the local church, and Christians’ circles of influence.
Beth Allen is Placement Services Manager at Food for the Hungry. She served in the Hunger Corps program as Special Projects Coordinator in Bolivia for four years.
Alisa Schmitz answers questions about church partnerships. When a church in the U.S. partners with a community in the developing world, life change occurs on both sides of the relationship. The overseas community can be released from poverty, and the U.S. church can also learn and grow. Ultimately, church partnerships exist to bring about the Kingdom of God.
In this episode…
The goal of long-term church partnerships
Preparation for short-term mission trips and ongoing relationships (Matthew 10:9-10)
Honoring the people we are serving (Ruth 2:15-16)
Keys to ongoing, vibrant relationships
Learn more about Community-2-Community partnerships – long-term relationships between American churches and communities in the developing world.
Alisa Schmitz is Senior Director of Advocates and Short-term Teams Ministry at Food for the Hungry.
This episode is the second in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.
“’I just brought you the kingdom of God, and it’s a size 7 pair of shoes. But don’t thank me! Thank God…’ Does that strike anybody else as a pretty shallow kingdom?”
There is a difference between converts and disciples. Missional living is connected to wholistic ministry, but we need to make one step beyond living missionally. We discuss handing out food and shoes, and how to share Christ without undermining our message.
The truth about H1N1 Flu, also known as Swine Flu. Carolyn Wetzel explains the pandemic threat, separating hype from real concerns, and analyzes the threat to the developing world. For news on pandemic flu, visit the World Health Organization, the United Nations influenza site, and the US government site.
Carolyn Wetzel is Health Programs Coordinator at Food for the Hungry.
Questions and answers about gifts in kind. Are handouts ever appropriate in community development?
Andrew Crawford and Cameron Calabrese work for Gifts in Kind Resources at Food for the Hungry, a department that handles non-cash items going to other countries. In this interview we discuss if and when “handouts” are appropriate, a case study in charging a small amount rather than offering a handout, and Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda. Andrew and Cameron ask, “When was the last time you thought about Bangladesh?”
E-mail Cameron to learn more about shipping costs.
This episode is the first in a series called “Laying the Foundation,” an update on the introductory episodes of Poverty Unlocked.
Poverty started in Genesis. It was solved by the Christ’s work on our behalf. Because of Christ’s work, poverty can be overcome today, and it will be completely solved when God brings about a new heaven and earth. Understanding the Biblical story of poverty helps us to understand how Christians should respond to injustice and worldwide needs.
Read Walking with the Poorby Bryant Myers to learn more about these foundational concepts.
Contact Wendy to request the new Poverty Unlocked 4-week curriculum for small groups and Sunday School classes.
