Some of the people who are involved in the "Buy Nothing New In April" challenge have been recognizing that they are saving quite a bit of money.
Now, some joined the challenge because they want to get out of debt. They will want to pay down those debts with the money they are saving. More power to them! I've certainly been there and done that!
Some are trying to find ways to give up part of the family income so that a parent can stay home with little ones. I've been there, too.
Some may want to make some expensive changes like solar panels on the house. Some are very invested in supporting environmental initiatives, and they have a list of organizations to which they would like to direct more funds. I'll admit I haven't done that yet, but I understand where they are coming from.
Here's another suggestion:
"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:22
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Thanks for the suggestion. I will also add that there are some awesome environmental organizations out there-local, regional and national-that are doing important work. They can use your money too :)
I don't want to be judgemental here. I just want people to think really hard about how they direct their resources. If this little one was sitting in your front yard, I think you know what you would do. I just didn't want this issue to be "out of sight, out of mind".
I just don't know what to say. That picture is unspeakable. wow.
Joyce, thank you for this reminder. How we haven't yet managed to eradicate world hunger is beyond me. And Cindy is right. I've written about this before, but my uncle does sustainable development in India. Not only is he helping to eradicate hunger, he's doing so in an ecologically sensitive way. Win win for planet and people.
Arduous, I know environmental degradation goes hand in glove with malnutrition. I'm glad you uncle is working to solve these problems. My third son spent some time in India. He is very passionate about the poor, in part because of that time.
Oh my gracious, a terrible and horrible picture.
I'm thinking of doing my own first "challenge" on the web, but I'm a little nervous to do one. I'd like to do a giving challenge from upcoming rebates. Instead of spending, try a new charity that helps a global problem.
Do you have any reccomendations for the most effective?
I'm currently reading Common Wealth. Check out the review.
I've never really made a recommendation before, so it feels a little scary. I've always had great respect for World Vision- I know that they spend very little on administrative expenses, and really go into an area to look at the true needs, whether it be clean water, medical care, agricultural training, etc. Mike and I give to a little children's home that our church started in Honduras. But there are needs close to home, too.
What a horrid picture... kind of puts everything else into perspective, doesn't it.
PS. You'll like "3 Cups of Tea." Maybe your library has it.
As Donna said, it defintely puts things in perspective. We don't realize how lucky we are and how little we need and how much work we need to do. This is just not right.
Stunning post - short and to the point, with a photo to bring you to your knees.
Thank you so much for highlighting the importance of keeping these people in our hearts and minds at all times.
Mrs Green x
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