Rice, Beans, and the List of the Week

Part One:
I plan out our meals a week to two-weeks in advance. This week it was especially easy to plan, thanks to the rice and beans challenge.

Meal-Plan For Thanksgiving Week
1. Monday--Rice and black beans
2. Tuesday--Rice and pinto beans
3. Wednesday--3 bean and rice "jambalaya"
4. Thusrday--Turkey cutlets, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread stuffing, and cranberry sauce
5. Friday--Shepherds Pie (turkey)
6. Saturday--Beef goulash
7. Sunday--Chicken tacos

Part Two:
Two-thirds of the world's population lives on rice, beans, and contaminated water. Can you picture it? 4 billion people live on that alone. As Americans, we tend to only see the 500 million people around us and forget about the 6 billion others around the world. We are SO spoiled here, even those at our poverty level live better than the working class folks in 3rd world countries. Time for a new perspective. Time to gain some real empathy for our fellow human beings.

Our church challenged us to live on rice and beans and tap water for the next 3 days until our Thanksgiving meal. Our family is taking that challenge. We bought cups, for 2 bucks each, that we will drink from for the next 3 days. People in other countries carry their little tin cups everywhere with them. There are no drive thrus and no 7-11s. No Starbucks. Just their cups and puddles of dirty water, or if they're lucky, a stream or a well.

I believe this is going to be a powerful fast for my family. I know MANY other families at our church that are taking the challenge. I pray that my children will see this sacrifice, and develop a lasting empathy for others across the globe. That, in their lives, change can come and there will truly be no one in need.

1 John 3: 16-18
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down or lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."