No Matter What

DILIGENT ADVOCACY ... I recently came across the following statistics. I share them with you because I believe we can make a difference. We have to make a difference! Here are ten reasons to take action in 2007. Ten reasons to make a presentation at church, be part of a short term mission project, inspire your youth group, donate your time and money, and be moved to prayer in 2007. As is usually the case, children suffer the most.

1. Half the world's population (2.8 billion) lives on less than $2 a day.Source: The World Bank Group Annual Report 2004

2. 300 million children suffer from hunger. Source: UNICEF 2005

3. Every day, nearly 29,000 children under age 5 die, mostly from malnutrition or preventable disease.Source: UNICEF State of the World's Children 2005

4. Man-made food crises have more than doubled since 1992.Source: FAO State of Food Insecurity in the World 2005

5. In the developing world one in five children does not have access to safe water.Source: UNICEF State of the World's Children 2005

6. 90% of deaths from war since 1990 have been civilians. 80% of these have been women and children.Source: UNICEF State of the World's Children 2005

7. 40 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS. Source: UNAIDS Epidemic Update 2005

8. Today, 15 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Source: UNAIDS Epidemic Update 2005

9. Of the total number of young people infected by HIV/AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa, 76% are women.Source: UNICEF/UNAIDS 2004

10. Life expectancy in South Africa: Today, 43; before HIV/AIDS, 68.Source: U.S. Census International Database

We must seek justice for those who are unable to seek it for themselves.

Go where He sends you, no matter the cost. -Craig