Shalom Existence

Today is Blog Action Day 08. Over 8,000 others are taking the day to write about the issues, namely the issue of poverty. Unfortunately this issue encompasses many poverties. But, I talk about “traditional” poverty on this blog a lot. Sad that there is such a thing, but I know you all know what I am talking about. If you want to learn more about sex trafficking, slavery, hunger, or Haiti read through. You’ll find it. So instead, I want to address the wonderful ways poverty IS being addressed. There are some cool people out there doing some wonderful things. Maybe you have heard of them, maybe you have not. If you are from Atlanta, I am trying to keep it local with some of these.

• International Justice Mission seeks to serve justice in the world to those who might not feel they have a voice. Their social workers, investigators and lawyers seek to make the justice system do just that: give justice to those who have been victimized or oppressed. They operate on four points that bring greater purpose and meaning to what they do; first, they seek to relieve the injustice, second they seek to bring about accountability for the perpetrator, thirdly they provide victim aftercare, and last they look to prevent abuse from occuring in the future and strengthening the community around the issue(s).

• Kiva is loans that change lives. Through KIVA you can invest and lend in entrepeneurs around the globe. You choose the project and the person, your small loan can help make a huge difference in seeing their dreams come through and helping them to break out of their circumstance, often one of poverty. Kiva doesn’t just give away money, it’s an investment: in a life, in a person, in a business, in a dream. Check them out to see what you can do, even if not now, it is something to keep in mind when you get that bonus check or tax return.
  

• Mission Grounds is a GA based mission that sells delectable coffees from around the world to benefit children. The moneys earned through the sale of the organic beans goes to building and serving orphanages in the countries where the coffees are from. They are partners with orphanages, daycares, shelters, an org providing formula for babies and a resource distribution non-profit. All of this abroad and in GA means if you buy their coffee online or in local Krogers in GA, your cup of coffee is making a difference. They also sale wholesale to churches and missions to make an even greater impact, allowing your markup proceeds to benefit your mission.

• Partners In Health Paul Farmer is amazing! IF you would like a model of a totally people centric non-profit, PIH is it. Started as a clinic in Haiti, PIH has, in the last 15 years, grown to be one of the leading pioneers in reaching those who cannot be reached with healthcare and treatment for preventable and treatable diseases. They do too much to list, they started in Haiti and with Paul Farmer as a doctor set about to save a region, from there they went to Peru and discovered a form of TB that was resistant to the meds being given by World Health. Then they were approached to help in Russia’s prisons with the rapid outbreak of TB there… You get the picture. They stretch the limits of what it means

• Refugee Family Services Refugees enter the U.S. often because it is dangerous or unsafe to be in their home country. Some of the children arrive in the U.S. never having a home- they were born and raised in refugee camps on the fringes of lands. The families are assisted for 3 months, but most of the services go to the father to help secure a job. RFS exists to provide a multitude (past 3 months) of services to the women and children of these families- in home tutoring, after-school programs, job training, crisis intervention and more, helping them to reach self sufficiency and security in their new home. I happen to be a volunteer, so I know they rock!

• Wellspring is a home for girls and women (they have 2 separate age groups) that allow victims of childhood trauma to come into a safe place and learn, grow, and realize value on their value on their lives. Located close to Atlanta, these homes house women who have been trafficked, been forced or entered into prostitution, endured violence or rape, or undergone other traumatic experiences. They are truly a wellspring, for their employees and volunteers as well. From stories to books to articles I know they pour into everyone they meet.

• Compassion is perhaps the most popular, but no less impactful. Like WorldVision and BreadfortheWorld, Compassion seeks to spiritually and physically feed the children of the world. Through your sponsorships and contributions, change can take place in the lives of children. Children that perhaps live in conditions we would find unimaginable. I always love to remember that love and justice are not American commodities (as some might want you to believe), they are gloabl commands. EVERYONE is worth the same, and the child born in Atlanta and Mexico City should both be taken care, sometimes God’s provision is in our hands, but we miss it.

Remember, these are just a few. But, click around on these sites enough you will learn an abundance of facts and stories about poverty today, as well as get an idea of how you might want to get involved. From global to local, there is a way for each of us to be Jesus to someone in the world.

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