Tuesday, August 18, 2009

FINALLY!!!

Many of you have been asking and waiting patiently for this...
The Grand Total

$4193.47


That's $1589.94 more than last year's total of $2603.53.

Let's see... that means 11 teenagers in America raised enough money to feed
11 children in another country for an entire year!

PRAISE GOD!!!

Monday, July 27, 2009

This Year's Famine Testimonies

"For me, the 30 Hour Famine was an extraordinary bit of my life. Not just the 30 Hour Famine itself, but the whole fundraising ordeal; it was quite an amazing thing to experience. You’re becoming aware of the plight of others in foreign countries and at the same time raising awareness in others. To know that you are helping a child escape death is an exhilarating feeling. I’m God’s servant, and He’s using me to serve others. I raised $420 this year, which will provide food for one child for a little over a year. I believe God’s used me as a tool to provide for His other children and I’m happy to be in that position and there I will stay."
Justice Seeker #5
Age 13


"The thirty-hour famine was a great experience, I went thinking that it was going to be really hard and I was going to die. I have fasted before but never that long, but when it got down to it, they keep us so busy that we do not really think about food. I find it amazing that I went to the famine expecting to help others and what really happened was that I found that I was being changed in so many ways. Not only do you help others with the programs you are doing but also, I found that as you serve, that I was changed. Not in a literal sense, like your shoe size changed but I found that I was being transform by what God is doing through me. And to feel and see that in others is beyond what I ever could have imagined. So in short, it was a great experience that really opened my eyes to the world that is in need, but also empowers you to want to make a difference. "
Justice Seeker #1
Age 13


"I had a lot of fun doing the 30 Hour Famine. I thought it was a great way to have fun, grow closer to God and to save childrens lives! The service projects sometimes were hard but I felt good knowing that I was helping people and serving God. It was hard to see pictures of those children and know that they are so hungry all the time when, for us, going without food for even 30 hours is hard. But it was good to know that because of things like world vision and the 30 Hour Famine those kids can get food. Overall I think that the 30 Hour Famine is a great experiance!"
Justice Seeker #4
Age 14


"Having done the Famine last year, I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for. However, I didn’t think that this year would be as impacting as last year. And I was right. None of the information really shocked me or made me think any harder than I had been previously. This year was a lot easier and I really wasn’t worried about what I would be doing next. I just went with whatever I was told to do and I found that I actually enjoyed it more. It wasn’t as new and exciting as before, but I had to admit that this year was a better experience. Last year was more about learning and I felt that this year was more about remembrance and action. I did learn one new thing though. I learned that if we serve the Lord with a joyful attitude, we’ll find that it never seems like a waste of time. I struggled with that last year and this year. But I’ve learned that even though we aren’t saving the world, God is still pleased."
Justice Seeker #2
Age 15


"I have done the Famine for the past two years and it is always a good experience. Before the famine I was not sure how my body was going to react to not eating for 30 hours. But I had nothing to worry about because it is amazing how God sustains you. The first year went well and by my second time it was easier because I knew what to expect. The famine was not only great spiritually but it was fun too. We also did a lot of service projects and I enjoy helping other people. It feels good to be apart of something that is changing the world. Even though we cannot see the people we help I know that God is doing amazing things with the funds we raised."
Justice Seeker #3
Age 17


Although our 30 Hour Famine has come and gone, their famine has not. Please consider becoming a regular supporter of the fight to end world hunger by giving to World Vision.

Thanks again for being a part of our journey!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Hungry? We were!!!



So on July 6th-7th, we conducted our 30 Hour Famine. No food...for 30 hours! But we had scheduled juice breaks :) In addition to simulating what it's like to be hungry, we were split into 3 teams, each representing a country in need. There was team Brazil, team Columbia, and team Bolivia. We played a series of tribe games, which not only kept us occupied, but taught us a lot about what the children in these countries go through.

One game was just hide and seek, but it represented how kids have to hide from those who want to turn them into slaves or child soldiers.

Another game was called "Food Grab." We stood around a big circle, with one team member blind-folded, while our leader placed a food item inside the circle. The blind-folded team member had to be verbally guided by the rest of the team to where the food was. This game taught us about how limited the food supply is in the countries we were learning about.

We played a few other games, but we'll share just one more. One member of each team was selected to hold a gallon of water straight out in front of them while our leader kept track of our time. The team that was able to hold their water jug the longest won. This game taught us about having compassion for people who have to walk long distances just to get the water they need to survive, and how their families depend on them daily to make that long trek.

In addition to the tribe games, we began each day with prayer and worship, led by Donavan & Tyler on Monday afternoon, and Michael on Tuesday morning. We also had time after each game to answer a few thought provoking questions and spend time in quiet meditation before the Lord. And on Tuesday evening, we ended our Famine with worship and communion. It was an amazing way to learn and a great experience for all of us.



Stay hungry, folks!



And thank you for your support!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Babysitting Fundraiser



































We ate spaghetti.

We colored.

We played on the piano.

We played with water-balloons.

We played on the swings.

We played "Duck, Duck, Goose."

We played dodge ball.

We played "Simon says."

We ate brownies & grapes.

We watched Wall-E.

We raised $200!!!

That brings our total to $1158.85 in group fundraisers.

Woohoo!!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Shakey's Fundraiser





We had fun, but we must confess we were a little bummed about the turn-out. We raised $53.44. But every little bit counts, right! When we add what we raised at Shakey's to our two other fundraisers - $221.28 grocery store fundraiser and $710.86 yard sale fundraiser, we've raised $958.85 as a group. And we have one final group fundraiser coming up this Friday at Arcadia Bible Church. So parents bring your kids to us and enjoy a night out. We'll feed & entertain them! Then return them to you tired so you can put them straight to bed :)

Stay tuned for the results of our individual fundraising efforts...

Monday, July 13, 2009

Grocery Store Fundraiser





Thank you to Ralphs in Duarte for allowing us to stand outside their store on Friday, July 10th from 4-8pm to help raise money for the hungry. We raised $221.28!!!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Pursuing God, Serving Man Part 4
























On Tuesday, July 7th, we went to Elizabeth House for our final service project. While there, we cleaned and organize their garage & shed, sorted through baby clothes that were donated to them, cleaned bins to put the baby clothes in for storage in their clean garage, and swept the playground. When we were all done, we went inside (passing through the kitchen which was filled with the wonderful aroma of delicious cooked food - that was torture for those of us who hadn't eaten anything since noon on Monday) to watch a very touching video about Elizabeth House and the lives of the women who have been helped by them, and the lives that have been saved because of their outreach to the community.

Thank you Elizabeth House for allowing us to come and serve you!