I sat on the edge of the bed and began cleaning off the bed side table. As I put the empty Sprite cans, junk food wrappers, and old water and poweraid bottles in the bag for the garbage, I began to think.

Roughly one-sixth of the world’s population does not have access to safe water.
Aproximately 5,000 children die every day as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
Read more quick facts about access to clean water
Please, watch this 30-second video about access to clean water.
And, every 5 seconds a child dies of hunger.
Read more quick facts about hunger.
Please, watch this 30-second video regarding hunger.

Facts such as these make me think before I open the refridgorator to get something to drink, or go downstairs to search the pantry for a late night snack.
I felt guilty as I sat there with enough stuff on that table to fill half of a 13 gallon garbage bag!
Now, I’m not saying we need to feel guilty when we get something we want, or that we need to deny ourselves the need for food and drink.
But, I wonder how many of us (myself included) truly understand the amount of people that are going without such basic needs on a daily basis?
Is there even hope for those who cry for such basic needs as food and water?
The answer is a resounding yes!

This is where Compassion International comes in. Compassion is working in 25 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Central and South America to “Release children from poverty in Jesus’ name”. Compassion-assisted children receive at least one meal a day from their Child development center, which is run by a local church in that child’s community. For some, this may be their only meal for the day. Children in Compassion’s program are also taught the skills to ensure that their family has access to safe water for drinking, cooking, washing, and more.
Beyond meeting these basic needs, every Compassion-assisted child is introduced to the bread of life who can give them living water, Jesus Christ.

What’s more is that you can be a hero for one of these precious children! You don’t need to rain bread from Heaven, or make water come from a rock.
All you need to do is listen. If you hear the cries of hunger and thirst, and God is pressing it upon your heart to be his hands and feet to a child in need, then please don’t let another second go by!
From the time you say “yes” to God, you’ll go to your fridge to get something to drink, or to make that late night snack, and you’ll look into the eyes of your sponsored child. Not with guilt, but with the knowledge that you are an every-day hero.
As you see your child’s photo hanging on your fridge, and as you correspond through letters, you’ll know it’s not about the $32.00 you send to Compassion every month, but it’s about the eternal difference God is allowing you to make through your obedience to His still small voice.