Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Beans and Rice-Why oh why?

There are several reasons that we have committed to eating beans and rice for a month...to save money for the Pass It Forward Adoption fund; to remind ourselves how very blessed we are and to teach our children to think of others and be grateful....

However, there is more in this for me...I don't want to forget. I want to remember!

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I want to remember my "boys" in Uganda. One very special boy close to my heart shared how he had to live on the streets in the slums and how he would do what ever he could just to survive. Why was he on the streets with no one to care for him? Everyone had died and he was alone. NO ONE was left to care for him. His story is so common. Children left alone with no one but other children. They care for each other on the streets, in the slums. I know that here in America, this is hard to even imagine...but we need to imagine it!
He and other boys were helped...fed, clothed and given an education by strangers. Now they give their lives to helping other boys who are on the streets.
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These young men help get the boys, like the ones above, into a boys home where they are safe and have their basic needs met.
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Girls experience some of the worst abuses and are so vulnerable. My special young man, Tonnie, is trying to help them by earning money for them to go to school and teaching them about God's love for them...teaching them that they are a valuable and an important part of the next generation as future mothers of Africa.
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What does all this have to do with us eating beans and rice for a week? I'll come back to that. We were not allowed to take pictures in the slums for safety reasons, so look (really let yourself look) at the above picture which was taken before we came to the slums where the boys "live". Do you see the dirt, trash, sickly dog? Do you see the shacks, barefoot children, some only half clothed? I can't show you the faces, but when we arrived at the tiny little cement ally where the boys are, their faces are shallow, empty, lifeless. But today, there is a little "excitement". Why? They get food. Cooked potatoes with a peanut sauce on top served to them in bowls. No forks or spoons and they don't care...hungry, they dig in with dirty fingers and scoop it into their hungry tummies. One boy showed up late and began crying because he thought there was none for him. The boys relayed the message up the line (because the "alley is so small that no more than two can stand side by side), that he had showed up and a bowl was passed back to him. Most of these boys wouldn't look into our faces...
Children made in the image of my God, living in hell...quickly after eating, fears push them back into despair.
I want to remember....
"Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." Gal 2:10
"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered." Prov.21:13
Yes, Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us...
and Jesus also "saw the crowds, (and) he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."


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So, as we eat beans and rice, I want to remember and teach my children to be thoughtful of those who are hungry. Really, honest to goodness DYING HUNGRY!
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And, at least one of my children is enjoying the adventure so far.

14 comments:

  1. oh how could we ever forget those boys! this is absolutely AWESOME what y'all are doing! i have been CRAVING beans and rice since coming home...

    praying for y'all!

    oh p.s. i was just thinking today...i SO wish we had got a group picture of the "blog friends". darn....oh well.

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  2. Arroz y frijoles ... we eat it on a regular basis. A great source of nutrition if you have an onion mixed in as well. My littlest, he will miss this meal as it truly is his favorite! If you need any good recipes for black beans, I can share:)

    Hugs from the mission field,
    Sarah Dawn

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  3. Shonni~
    Bless you and yours, as you pour your heart out before him. As you humble your meals and your hearts, may you hear and see heaven.

    May your children clearly understand what it is you are doing. May the Holy Spirit speak to each of you, from the oldest to the youngest; about His calling for you~ for each of us 'to care for the poor and the orphans.'

    {{{{hug}}}}}

    praying for you;

    Kimmie
    mama to 7
    one homemade and 6 adopted

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  4. OK Missy - you are hearing from a beans and rice rookie - other than minute rice every great once in a while - I need help! I am going grocery shopping tomorrow but I do not know what to buy/ make - so hellllllllllp! Any recipes would be great! Thank you - Sha

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  5. We eat rice almost 5 days a week!

    It is healthy and cheap for a family of 10!

    We make wraps, put it on spinach, mix in beans, cook up some veggies to go in it.

    Praising God for all the hearts being stirred to sacrifice for His Kingdom WORK!

    Love and hugs - Jill
    Who like you will never forget the looks in the eyes of those who are too often forgotten!

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  6. I really love this idea. It would no doubt stir compassion in one's heart for those who are really hungry...and starving. But mostly, for those starving for the Lord.

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  7. Sweet sister,

    You give a legacy of love to your children--a legacy of remembrance.

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures of God's precious ones.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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  8. I love this idea. Any hope of you posting some recipes for beans and rice? I am clueless....

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  9. Oh my goodness, dear friend--that picture of the slums leaves me with chills. To think that most of the worlds populations actually lives that way is just astounding. And here we are, worried about our petty little problems and offences--ug! It really does put things in perspective.

    Love you heaps.

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  10. wow, what an awesome thing to do!! kristi

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  11. I read today in a World Vision letter that over half of all child deaths in the world are related to hunger! How can we claim to love the Father, and not do something for His starving kids? Thank you for sharing a way for us to be reminded of those who don't have enough to eat, and to make a difference.

    I will change my menu next month, as I am heading to Uganda in less than two weeks. The food prices there have skyrocketed this summer, due to the drought, so even more people are hungry - and dying! Dear God, help us to care enough to do what we can!

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  12. Thank you for sharing... praying you on! Amy

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  13. Wow. What a beautiful testimony to give your children. This is a lesson I have considered many times that I want my daughter to learn. Thank you for the inspiration. And thank you for sharing your beautiful family!

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  14. A beautiful... sad but true to life post. You put is all so well. We are so, so very rich her ein the US! Most of us do not even know what poverty and hunger is. How precious all of God's children are and what a wonderful lesson you are teaching yours.
    Patricia

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