Some More Statistics That Are Hard to Ignore

In Rob Bell's new book Jesus Wants to Save Christians, he explains the vast difference between America and the rest of the world. The statistics are not to bring about guilt but to explain the vast difference between the United States and the rest of the world.
America controls nearly twenty percent of the world's wealth. There are around six billion people in the world, and there are roughly three hundred million people in the United States. That makes America less then five percent of the world's population. And this five percent owns a fifth of the world's wealth.

One billion people in the world do not have access to clean water, while the average American uses four hundred to six hundred liters a day.

Every seven seconds, somewhere in the world a child under the age of five dies of hunger, while Americans throw away fourteen percent of the food we purchase.

Nearly one billion people in the world live on less than one American dollar a day. Another 2.5 billion live on less than two American dollars a day. More than half of the world lives on less than two dollars a day, while the average American teenager spends nearly $150 a week.

Forty percent of the people in the world lack basic sanitation, while forty-nine million diapers are used and thrown away in America every day.

One point six billion people in the world have no electricity.

Nearly one billion people in the world cannot read or sign their name.

Nearly one hundred million children are denied basic education.

By far, most of the people in the world do not own a car. One-third of American families own three cars.

One in seven children worldwide (158 million) have to go to work every day just to survive. Four out of five American adults are high school graduates.

Americans spend more annually on trash bags then nearly half of the world on all goods.

In a little over a week, I will once again step into a world much different then the one I live within. It is not the first time and will most likely not be the last -- the question is how do we as those who in live in such a world interact with the majority of others who do not. Do we truly believe that we have been blessed to be a blessing. Not to use such blessings "to lord it over some" but to allow God to use it for the blessing of others. That is my prayer for the next couple of weeks -- that in some small part we begin to bless others with the incredible blessing that we have been given.

Exactly What Will You Be Doing????

With less then two weeks to go before the team gets on the plane for the trip to Africa...some have asked exactly what will the teams be doing during our time in country. Along with the flexiblity of international mission work, we will be travelling to five different distrubution sites in five different health districts of the country. The nets are being distributed as part of a large, integrated measles campaign targetting over three million children under five years of age with measles vaccinations, nets, de-worming medication, and vitamin A. Under the leadership of the Cote d'Ivoire Ministry of Health, this integrated health campaign is the result of a strong collarboration among local and international partners.

We will be part of five distrubution teams in the country during this nation-wide initative. Along with the Cote d'Ivoire Methodist Church we will be part of a integrated health initative to assist the families in these areas. The United Methodist Church of Cote d'Ivoire, the Texas Annual Conference and the UN Foundation have formed a dynamic partnership to combat malaria in Africa by raising funds for 855,000 nets.

Please continue to pray for all the logistics that must take place in regards to such a large scale disturbution. Also pray for the members of the team as they continue to prepare for this incredible trip to serve the people of Cote d'Ivoire.

A Statistic to Hard to Ignore

As I was preparing for the trip to Cote d'Ivoire and learning more about malaria in Africa -- I ran across the statistic that an African child under the age of five dies from malaria every THIRTY SECONDS! Oh come on every thirty seconds that is just some sound bite that individuals use to tug on the heart strings of those they hope will give or assist in the effort. But as I began to investigate and research all the major organizations -- CDC, UN, UNICEF and others account that the thirty second stat is correct and accurate.
THIRTY SECONDS! So in the time it took for me to write the past paragraph -- 2 minutes -- 16 children under the age of five have died from malaria. Died due to the lack of treated bed nets that could have saved them. A bed net that cost what most of us pay for lunch! So during today while you are eating lunch, waiting for the bus or just waiting in line at the grocery store -- realize that in Africa another child has died due to the basic lack of a bed net!
THIRTY SECONDS! It really is a statistic that has become to hard to ignore!!! Buy a net & Save a life!!!

Three Weeks And Counting

In less then three weeks I will be off to the Ivory Coast of Africa for an adventure I believe of a life time. I will be travelling with 35 individuals from the Texas Annual Conference of United Methodist Church as we go to Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to be a part of the distribution of Mosquito nets through the "Nothing But Nets" campaign. Malaria is the largest killer of children under the age of five on the continent of Africa and it is the goal of the "Nothing But Nets" campaign to cover the entire continent of Africa in nets.
The United Methodist Churches in the Texas Annual Conference have patterned with the "Nothing But Nets" campaign pledging over 1 million dollars for the distribution of nets. Along with the Cote d'Ivore Methodist Church and Ministry of Health we will be assisting in distributing nets from November 7 through November 17. I have never been to the continent of Africa and am looking forward to the journey. I am sure there will be many, many stories to tell not only along the way but after I return back to the Houston area.
The purpose of this blog is to allow all those individuals who assisted through their time and resources to be a part of this incredible trip. With the assistance of Friendswood United Methodist Church and the South District of the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC this trip would not be possible. It is my prayer that by following along through this blog those who have assisted in many ways will be able to take part in this incredible journey. Or if you have not joined with the "Nothing But Nets" Campaign this blog will prompt you to consider how you can be a part of giving a net and saving a life.
Please continue to be in prayer for all of those individuals on the team as we continue to prepare for this trip. As well be in prayer that God would use us mightily in the country of Cote d'Ivoire as we serve the families and children who live there. If you have not joined the Nothing But Nets campaign -- please watch one of the u-tube videos on this site and join with as us as work to cover the contentient