31 Days of Giving

It has been a rather transformational year for me. A couple of books I read, along with the wonderful world of blogging have changed the way I look at life. First I read The Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, and then I read Too Small To Ignore by Wes Stafford . You see the problem with suddenly being able to really SEE, is that you can't un-see. As a result I have become a Compassion International sponsor and advocate.


I now SEE how richly blessed I am. One of my fellow Our Compassion members, Kit B., shared with us this Giving Calendar to help keep the true spirit of Christmas.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/household-items-kit.htm

This December my family is going to keep the focus of Christmas more on giving than receiving. Each household will keep their own Blessings Jar. On New Years day my two little grandsons, age 7 and 4 will get to go through the Gifts of Compassion catalog and help decide which gift or gifts we will send to others. I am hoping this will be fun for the little ones and will help the adults keep "things" in perspective....

December Giving Calendar 

Give hope to those in poverty by supporting disaster relief and response programs as well as development projects

Amount to give	Reasons to give Amounts are in U.S. dollars and cents
_______ 1	You are blessed if you own a Bible. One-third of the world does not even have access to one. Give $1 for each Bible in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/give-gods-word.htm

_______ 2

Almost half the world's population -- three billion people -- live on less than $2 a day. Are you by God's grace part of the other half? If so, give your $2 with a thankful heart.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/feed-babies-for-survival.htm

_______ 3

The first Sunday in December pray for the work and staff of Compassion International or the charity of your choice

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/protecting-children-at-risk.htm

_______ 4

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a comfortable place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world. Give 25¢ for every bed in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/blanket-and-tarp.htm

_______ 5

Over 30% of the world's population, two billion people, cannot read. Give $1 for the blessing of reading.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/school-supplies.htm

_______ 6

As of the year 2000, nine million children in Africa had been orphaned because of AIDS. Give 50¢ for each of your parents who are still alive.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/skilled-birth-attendants.htm

_______ 7

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish some place, you are among the top eight percent of the world's wealthy. Give your spare change so others can live.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/garden-seeds.htm

_______ 8

Jesus said "I am the light." Give 5¢ for every lightbulb in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/computer-labs.htm

_______ 9

24,000 people die every day from hunger-related causes. Give $1 if you ate today.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/african-drought-survival.htm

_______ 10

Recently, hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes in the floods in Mozambique. Give 10¢ for every year you have safely lived in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/vacation-camp.htm

_______ 11

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Almost 75% of the population of Haiti has no access to safe water. Give 25¢ for each faucet in

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/safe-water-for-life.htm

_______ 12	More than 418 million people have died of hunger and poor sanitation in the past 50 years. This is nearly three times the number of people who have died in all the wars of the past 100 years. Give $1 for the gift of life.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/vaccinations.htm

_______ 13

Pray for Compassion Child Survival Programs around our world.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/newborn-survival.htm

_______ 14

Imagine what it would be life if there were no facilities in your home. Give 25¢ for every bathroom in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/safe-and-sanitary-bathrooms.htm

_______ 15

One-third of the developing world's population lives on less than $1 per day. Give $1 if you have a job.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/small-business-launch-for-moms.htm

_______ 16

130 million children alive today will not receive an elementary education. Give 25¢ for each high school graduate and 50¢ for each college graduate in your family.

_______ 17

Did you attend church this week without threat of persecution, torture, or death? Thank God, and give $1 so that others might have the same privilege.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/mosquito-nets.htm

_______ 18

Pray that God will help His people to develop compassion as a lifestyle.

_______ 19

Recently, over 50,000 people lost everything in mud slides in Venezuela. Give $1 if you have never had to experience losing everything you own.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/building-materials.htm

_______ 20

For many in the developing world, walking is their only form of transportation. Give 10¢ for each person coming to visit this Christmas season.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/volleyball-courts.htm

_______ 21

Throughout Asia, an estimated 525 million undernourished people struggle to meet basic daily nutritional needs. Give 50¢ for every trip you've made to the grocery store this past week.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/food-baskets-for-survival.htm

_______ 22

For some people in Russia it takes six months to save enough money for a coat. Give 25¢ for every coat in your house.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/eye-exams-and-glasses.htm

_______ 23

Most people in the developing world have to work every day just to survive. Give 50¢ for every day you have off from work for this holiday season.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/soccer-balls.htm

_______ 24

Give 10¢ for every gift under the tree, and 25¢ if it has your name on it.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/support-young-artists.htm

_______ 25

We each have so many blessings. Praise God with a thankful heart for the best gift of all, His Son.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/dental-care.htm

_______ 26

880 million people lack access to adequate health care services. Give 25¢ for each container of medicine in your medicine cabinet.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/medical-checkups-and-more.htm

_______ 27

Every day in the developing world 30, 500 children die from preventable diseases. Give 25¢ for every healthy child in your family.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/survive-to-age-five.htm

_______ 28

Warm, soft carpets are so nice on a winter day! Many have only a dirt floor. Give 10¢ for each carpeted room in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/pigs.htm

_______ 29

In Honduras, a country of six million, less than 3% of the people have their own telephone. Give 50¢ for each phone in your home.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/chickens.htm

_______ 30

Many people must go barefoot. Give 10¢ for every pair of shoes you own.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/goats.htm

_______ 31

Pray that God will reveal to you how you can show compassion to your friends, neighbors, and world in the coming year.

http://www.compassion.com/catalog/cows.htm

Even if you don't use the 31 Days as part of your family devotions, please consider giving a gift of love to those less fortunate this holiday season. Even in these tough times, we are so abundantly blessed. You might even want to consider sponsoring a child, it will be the best gift you can ever give or receive!