World Vision's 30 Hour Famine

Nearly a billion people go hungry every day. A child dies from hunger-related causes every 8-12 seconds. Those are just two of the startling statistics World Vision seeks to eradicate with this youth oriented mission. On the last weekend of February (or April) every year, millions of teens and pre-teens around the world gather in their churches to host their own mini "famine" to raise money and awareness for World Vision and their mission to wipe out world hunger.

February 22-23 or April 26-27

Every year Christian youth from around the world set aside 30 hours of their life to serve a cause bigger than themselves. They not only give up the time, they give up food! Beginning at noon on February 22, millions of teens, their leaders, and other adults who want to support their youth will stop eating for 30 hours. Most of the teens will gather at their church on Friday evening about 6 p.m. to hang out with their group and celebrate the blessings God has given them.

During the 30 hours, they'll watch videos provided by World Vision, play games that will help them understand the need and be hungry together. They'll think it's impossible When they wake up on Saturday morning, they'll feel the pain in their stomachs, but they'll feed on God's Word and be reminded they are doing something bigger than themselves.

At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, all around the world, congregations will bring in food to help these young people break their fast. The adults in their lives will celebrate their victory of making it 30 hours without food and will notice that their young person is changed. It's amazing how 30 hours without food helps a young person begin to appreciate the simpler things, like food and shelter. They'll have heard how very young children in third world countries don't have things many of the things we take for granted, things like clean water, electricity, three meals each day and parents.Famine weekend is a time of mixed emotions. We celebrate our victory at making it 30 hours without food, but at the same time, we are saddened by the faces of children who will go much longer than 30 hours. We'll laugh together while we play games to teach us how precious clean water is, and we'll become somber when we realize that there will be children dying while we play because of diseases caused by the dirty water. 30 Hour Famine may be just two days set aside on a calendar for some people, but for most it will be a life changing experience, one they will choose to repeat year after year after year, and one they will invite their friends to endure with them in the future.

Miguel and Iris

In June of 2013 I sponsored my first World Vision Child. I've wanted to do this for years, but 2013 finally opened the door for me to do it I chose a boy the exact same age as my grandson (yes, you can choose a sponsored child based on birthdate). He and I will be corresponding with Miguel. I'm hoping they can become pen pals and be friends.

In 2014, we added Iris to our Sponsored Family. Iris is 2 days younger than my oldest Granddaughter (there were no children in our hemisphere with a birthday on hers).

There are 78,000 more children awaiting sponsorship at World Vision. That World Vision link at the top of the page will take you to a spot where you can sponsor a child today!

In the United States and across most of Western Europe it's hard to imagine anyone going hungry. Most of our schools serve breakfast as well as lunch, there are so many places that give away bags of groceries and even in my small rural area there are many places that serve free lunch every day and offer takeout containers to those who need dinner as well.

Unfortunately, throughout the world there are families in underdeveloped countries who don't have these necessities. It's not that there's not enough food, we just have to get it to them! Your donation helps to get food to these children. Additionally, World Vision develops a plan with every community to help them become self-sufficient within 20 years. They train the adults, provide education for the youth and immerse themselves in the community to help share the love of Jesus Christ and make a permanent difference.

I'd like to invite you to become a 30 Hour Famine Sponsor. Any donation is welcome; however, if you can sponsor me or my group for $40, you'll help feed a child for 30 days. This year our group of six youth and two adults will be fasting the weekend of February 22-23, 2018 to raise money for kids who have so much less! Please click the link below to sponsor me or my group.

Thanks!