$2 Dinner Challenge - from Compassion International

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Did you know that close to 3 billion people live on less than $2 per day? Many people in the United States spend twice that on their morning cup of coffee! Have you ever thought about what it would be like to feed not only yourself, but also your entire family on just $2?

Here's the challenge! Feed your family dinner without spending more than $2.

1. Take $2 in cash from your purse or wallet. Leave the rest of your money, your checkbook and your credit or debit cards at home.
2. As a family, go to your local grocery store. Walk around the store and make a list of what you can get that feeds everyone in your family for $2.
3. Using only the $2, buy food to feed dinner to everyone.
4. As you eat dinner together, discuss the questions below:

- Before you went to the store, what was your initial impression of the challenge?
- Did you think it would be easy or hard to have dinner for $2?
- How did you feel as you were walking around the store finding things you could afford?
- Were there more or less items than you thought there would be?
- As you considered what to buy, were you worried about being able to buy enough food to fill you up?
- What did it feel like to pay for the food with just $2?
- Does the food you bought meet the nutritional needs of your family?
- How has the $2 Dinner Challenge changed your perspective on those who live in poverty?

5. Take a photo of your family eating your $2 dinner. (Or for families with smaller children, ask them to draw a picture of the family participating in the $2 Dinner Challenge.)

6. As a family, spend some time praying for those who live in poverty around the world. Ask God to give you a compassionate heart for those in need.

7. Hang the photo or drawing on the refrigerator as a daily reminder to pray for children living in poverty.

8. Share your $2 Dinner Challege experience with us.

Some food ideas:
Spaghetti with only noodles and a can of tomatoes
Rice with just a few vegetables
Ramen noodles
Bread and butter
Spam
One microwave dinner to be shared among all of you
Tortillas and beans

Source: http://www.compassion.com/child-advocacy/speak-up/ways-to-get-involved/two-dollar-dinner-challenge.htm

Compassion International's HIV/AIDS Project

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An Interview with Amy Metzger, International Health Program Specialist for Compassion

How is AIDS afecting children around the world?

"Worldwide, more than 2.3* million children are infected with HIV. In 2006, nearly 380,000 children died."Globally, about 1,450 children, mostly newborns, are infected with HIV every day, many because their mothers did not have access to the medicine to prevent transmission."


How is Compassion helping AIDS-affected children ?

"Through our AIDS Initiative, a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, treatment and rehabilitative care. Our church partners implement these activities at the grassroots level."


How does our initiative help prevent the spread of HIV?

"We help prevent transmission of HIV by providing antiretroviral therapy for pregnant mothers, access to medication before and after birth, and education about the risks of breast-feeding."We also organize awareness campaigns, promote voluntary testing and counseling, and teach abstinence through our biblically based curriculum."

How does Compasion treat HIV-positive children?

"Treatment is for HIV-positive children and those with AIDS. This includes visiting homes, monitoring white blood cell counts, and treating opportunistic infections."For those who need antiretroviral therapy, we step in to provide this. This strengthens the immune system and can grant the child decades of a fairly healthy life. This is significant since most people do not have access to the therapy."Our church partners also provide transportation to clinics and hospitals for tests, medicine and checkups. This and the other provisions give great hope to those who are burdened by this disease."

Can we really make a difference?

"Absolutely! Pray about how the Lord can use you. Some are called to share with churches. Some to give generously. We are all called to pray that children will have a better future, one in which they live to see their parents raise them to adulthood — and change our world in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ."

From Dan Mosqueda: Please visit www.compassion.com to find out more about how you can really make a difference in the lives of children around the world. You can also specifically donate to one of the most effective HIV/AIDS projects in the world. Please, do it now.

Some celebrities making a difference:

Michael W. Smith "My family sponsored Gavi Leticia Lopez Ponce since she was a little girl. I've had the privilege of visiting her in Ecuador. Over the years, I've seen the difference our monthly support has made in Gavi's life. She has grown into a beautiful young lady who loves the Lord deeply. Please join me. Sponsor a child who is searching for meaning, for hope … for a place in this world."

Amy Grant "Investing in these kids' lives through Compassion is a wonderful thing. Everybody deserves to have the basics in life. Being a sponsor with Compassion is something I truly believe in."

Rebecca St. James "In my own life I have seen God do total miracles. He truly looks after His children. That is why I am so passionate about the ministry of Compassion. We have the opportunity to practice God's real love to a hurting world and be our brother's keeper. I encourage you to be a part of this incredible ministry. You may be the only Jesus that child may ever see." Rebecca sponsors a child in Rwanda.

* Statistics from UNAIDS and WHO data from 2005 and 2006.