http://www.therescue.invisiblechildren.com/
I am way behind the times on getting the word out there. I sat down and finally checked out a link that my friends had sent to me time and time again. I should have done it forever ago.
Sometimes, it is so easy to get caught up in the every day to day happenings in our life that we forget the big picture. There is constantly 3o minutes here or there throughout the day to sit down and check our favorite websites or watch our favorite shows. Here in the States, we have access to so many things the rest of the world doesn't and it is so easy to take advantage of it.
Today, I spent a half an hour watching a video about children in Africa. My heart is breaking for these children and what they are forced to go through day after day after day. They have been robbed of their childhood and forced to see and do things I hope I never have to witness. It needs to stop!
On April 25, 2009 Invisible Children is hosting the RESCUE, a rally in 100 cities across 10 countries, to bring attention to the plight of the children abducted and forced to fight as soldiers in Central East Africa. For the past 23 years, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU) have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle. It is time for governments and international bodies to develop a strategy and support existing efforts to rescue the child soldiers abducted by the LRA.
This past Christmas many of us spent time with our families and exchanged gifts. We spent times under roofs, enjoyed wonderful meals, and many expanded their earthly possessions. Meanwhile, in Uganda on Christmas Day, 620 people were massacred and 160 children were abducted. Did you know that? Did you ever hear about that? I hadn't.
Check out the website. There are some awesome things going on to help put a stop to the war. If you are able to, check out a rally in a town near you. Write letters to famous celebrities, politicians, friends, and family and make them aware of what is going on. There are t-shirts for sale on the website to help you make a statement if you are someone who is uncomfortable verbally sharing your opinion. You can make monetary donations to help as well.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3
I truly believe that the people at Invisible Children are trying to do just that: preach good news to the poor and help free the captives. It isn't a Christian organization but you don't have to be a Christian to make a difference. Although being a Christian is really super awesome (and you should look into the Bible -- you won't regret it)!
I pray for all of those in Northern Uganda. I pray for the children who have been abducted and lost their innocence. I pray for the families of those children who mourn the loss of their child, not knowing whether their child is still alive or not. I pray that those families and children are able to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life; that there is a God that will not leave them nor forsake them. There is hope!
It is so easy to let it slide and leave it for someone else to do. In this day and age we expect instant gratification and after all, one person isn't going to make the difference. One person isn't going to be able to stop the war -- right? But if a bunch of "one person" people get together, there can be a huge impact and the more people involved, the faster there can be a solution.
Those children need to know that there are people fighting for them and they are not alone. Are you ready to do something to help? I'm already on my way...
No comments:
Post a Comment