Children die.
Mothers weep
for they know
they are next in line.
I can hardly sleep,
just from knowing
of the burden
they carry.
How can we go on,
with this injustice in the
world.
I will fight to take away their
burden.
“If you could spend 39 cents to save a life, would you do it?” That was the question posed at Crossroads this month. For many the answer to that question was yes. That day and in subsequent days following, 119 letters were written urging our elected representatives to increase poverty-focused aid to the levels requested by President Bush. The letters had a sense of urgency as the budget year comes to a close, and the house gets ready for a new majority.
“It’s not difficult to do,” commented Cory Verner, who organized the letter writing campaign at Crossroads ” Bread for the World has guidelines, sample letters and other helpful resources. At first I was a little intimidated at the prospect, but I soon realized it was a simple thing to put in place, and I am thrilled at the results.”
The results? 119 letters and pictures have been sent to our representatives and senators! Letters addressed to Brian Bilbray or Darrell Issa were delivered personally to their offices by a group of representatives from CEP. Letters were mailed to Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein.
Ella can, can you? Perhaps more exciting was to see how others were inspired by this action. 13 year old Ella de Jong attended the CEP presentation prior to the letter writing campaign, and came away determined to make a difference. She knows how to write and figured it was the least she could do. But she went beyond just writing a letter herself - she approached a teacher at her school and suggested her whole class write letters! As a consequence all students at Calvin Christian Junior High School were invited to write letters. Many did, and many also designed pictures, Ella even wrote a poem. If Ella can do it, can you? Look for Ella’s poem above.
More campaigns followed on. Members of San Marcos Lutheran church held a similar letter writing campaign in November. Katie Jorstad organized the event there and 40 letters were written.
We urge you to organize a letter writing campaign at your church, bible study group or organization. You can learn how at www.bread.org or contact us at info@christiansendingpoverty.com.
What do you think? Please comment below.
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