All I Want For Christmas Is. . .

. . .one goat,

Two chickens. . .

five ducks. . .

and a couple of mosquito nets. . .

After being around the homeless, reading books such as Revolution in World Missions, Radical, and Kisses from Katie, materialism has taken a back seat for me.  For over a year, closer to two, the Lord has been laying it on my heart to live more simply and do without all the store bought things.  I haven't shopped in a mall in a long time.  When I do go into a store and see all the pretty trinkets that I used to ooh and ahh at, now almost give me a sick feeling.  My mind goes to all the ones who don't even have enough food to eat and the thought of buying a trinket just doesn't seem right anymore.

 I'm not condeming those of you who do, please don't hear that!  It's just that the Lord has layed this on MY heart and so I feel this is how I need to and want to be now.  When my son started college this past semester, my husband and I didn't have the cash for it and we did not want to take out loans that would take forever to pay back.  So we became even more frugal than we had been and somehow with the help from the Lord, we have paid the first year of college in cash.  Only from the Lord!!!  We learned that we could live without much, make what we did have go further, do without vacations and new things for the home and yard.  My garden beds were emptier this past year but my heart fuller knowing we were living a more pleasing way in the Lord's sight, again this is my conviction, not speaking for anyone else here.

I received a catalog from World Vision and was excited to think that this Christmas instead of gifts underneathe my tree for me, I wanted the money that would be spent on me to be spent on a goat, two chickens and some mosquito netting. 

The world's deadliest creature, the mosquito, kills nearly 800,000 people every year.  While preventing this malaria infection in inexpensive by U.S. standards, it's out of reach for poor African families who must watch helplessly as their children suffer and die.  One of the best ways to protect children from Malaria - bed nets - as well as critical education for prevention and control.

The ducks and chickens will produce hundreds of nutritious, protein-rich eggs to feed a family year round.  And both eggs and ducklings can be sold for extra income.

Dairy goat milk provides great protein to help children grow.  The family can sell surplus milk, cheese, and yogurt at the market to earn money for medicines and other necessities.  Plus, fertilizer from goats can increase the amount of vegetables grown in a family garden. 

To me, this sounds more beautiful than a pretty trinket or something for my home that would collect dust.

If you would like to consider giving in this way please go to the online website of World Vision at http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/  and see what you could give this Christmas season to a family in need.

Another wonderful place to go to shop is http://www.amazima.org/. . .you can buy beaded necklaces made by the Ugandian women and the money goes back to them so they can support their families.  With this, you do end up with something pretty around your neck or can give to a loved one.

These kind of gifts change lives. . .these kind of gifts can save lives!

And if you would like to give a gift to the homeless, instant coffee or coffee bags would be a wonderful gift, maybe along with a coffee mug. Hot chocolate and cider bags would be great. Also a great gift would be warm, wool socks.

Please pray about what God would have you do this Christmas shopping season.  Let's give a Merry Christmas to those who really need it.  The cheer will come in the giving.

words from Katie from her book Kisses From Katie. . .

"Lord.  . .help me to never be too busy or too comfortable to rememeber the people who suffer. Help me to never stop desiring to do something about it.  Lord help us to remember that as the body of Christ, this is our responsibility.  Thank you for loving us even when we forget."

May we never forget