Tuesday, September 29, 2009
30 Day Fast
the challenge: thirty days to fast and pray
Take a small glimpse into the lives of millions of our global neighbors by giving up something different every day. Go without your bed, shoes, money, voice, entertainment, water, electricity, and more. May you experience the transforming power of God as you are being changed and causing change in the world around you!
When my friend Sandy told me about this 30 day challenge, I was so excited to partake! I have a huge heart for things like World Vision and what they are all about. When I was 18 I adopted a little girl from Africa, and sent her money until she was 18. Then she grew up and now is on her own and doing well.
The best part is after the the 30 day fast there is going to be an amazing exhibit: It is a 2,500 square foot interactive exhibit that invites visitors to "step into Africa" by hearing, seeing and walking through an African village to personally experience the lives of children affected by AIDS. The stirring audio tour and captivating photography will transport you into the life of an African child and give you a new perspective on the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time... AIDS.
I am starting a little late, the challenge started on the September 19th, but I am going to jump on board any way!
Some of the things that I will be fasting from these next 20 days, a bed, shoes, convince, comfort, electricity, running water…fasting isn’t just about food.
So anyone else want to join me?
Today’s challenge: Fast From Hurry!
No Hurry, ... In Africa." bumper sticker in Tanzania
Our days are so full of appointments, to do lists, deadlines, and activities it’s no wonder we can’t often find time to “help the poor.” We seem to be running at a fast pace, sometimes late everywhere we go, which makes it difficult to be concerned about lives and plans other than our own. In many parts of the world, people seem to have a different notion of time, which values relationships over schedules. Choose today to slow your life down so you can be more present in the present. Try to get somewhere 20 minutes early, or cut something out of your calendar completely. Practice “African time,” focusing more on people than planners. See how God might fill your day in other ways.
How can you schedule more “breathing room” in your days and weeks to allow for an unplanned opportunity to minister to someone in need, instead of racing by?
WOW this is going to be tough!
Do you think you could Fast from Hurry?
10 comments:
This one would be hard for me, but I'm gonna try it.
Have a good day :)
Wow this is amazing, the sort of thing that God puts in my life to see and slow down!
Can't wait to challenge myself to this today. I sometimes get very hurried at work because I think I need to be efficient, but know that if I slowed down I would probably do a better job!
What an amazing and HARD challenge. I guess that's what makes it a challenge huh?!
Today I will try my hardest to relax and not rush around like a banchee.
Wow. I don't know if I can do it. Suffering for the sake of understanding. Maybe I'll just say I already understand their plight while enjoying the comforts of my bed? Doesn't count, does it? Shoot.
I may join in for some of these. I'm sure everyone could use the lesson...
Wow great challenge Bobbi. This is exactly what I need right now. I find myself irritable and moody because I am rushing around to get everything done most days. At the end of the days I end up feeling like I sacrificed time with those I care for, and time doing things that I care about in order to get everything done in time. Life is just too short to be rushing through it. We all need to slow down and open our eyes to all of the amazing things that we are all too often too busy to see. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
This is a really interesting challenge! When I first saw "fast" I thought food...but these other "conceptual fasts" are intriguing. I'm excited to read about your experiences. I might not do all of them, but I will be following along and trying my best...
Wow that is a really interesting and TOUGH challenge. Good luck!
oh my I would be horrible wit hsome of those...no running water, no electricty. I commend you for taking action..I am now thinking about how to be less hurried. For example taking time to really read and comment thoughtfully on someone's blog, I think those little things are important.
Being from the Philippine Islands there are some islands with no electricity, hot water or telephone lines. I wasn't in poverty (thank god) but learned to live as "simple" as possible and with "as little" as possible. Here, of course, society would scoff at doing without these things since it's taken for granted. Oprah did a show about this.
http://www.oprah.com/search.jsp?query=live+with+less&resultsPerPage=20&sortBy=Relevancy&filterType=&filterBy=&page=1&x=0&y=0
Please send prayers (& donations) for my homeland in Manila for the 246 deaths and millions who've lost their homes from the typhoons happening right now.
This is a great idea, it would definitely be a challenge for me, I feel like I am always in a hurry, sometimes.
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