Being a Christian in America, we have two callings to reach out to those who are less fortunate than us, one as Christians and one as Americans. As Christians we are to follow Jesus’ example that has been set before us. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus clearly states that after loving God, which is our first and utmost important commandment, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our neighbor, is the person next door; however our neighbors are all who live with us on this earth. Jesus had instruc

Living in America, we have many advantages over those who live in poverty stricken areas. Besides the advantage of technology and advancement in our society that has helped ease our lives but on a more basic note, the ability to eat three times a day is something they do not obtain. To eat just one meal, many are forced into slavery and doing things such as selling their children into horrid conditions. Gary Haugen speaks of a meeting with a family that had to do just that. The mother of the family was very sick and needed 30 dollars for medication but could not afford such things. The only option for the family was to sell their daughter into slavery of the lender for these $30. She would have not been freed from this bondage if it weren’t for Gary Haugen and his ministry, IJM, discovering this case and creating justice where injustice had been.

I have witnessed injustices in these third world countries, as well. Being fortunate enough to travel, two countries really struck me directly in the heart. Ecuador and Egypt, though, on opposite ends of the world contain injustice from an oppressive government. Any profit, which is rare since wages are very low, is immediately taken from the people of these countries by taxes and such. This results in the sad conditions that they have to live in.

As I get ready for school, go shopping for clothes, or thank God for the blessings He has given me each day, I think about these children in both Egypt and Ecuador. Anyone who goes on any sort of missions trip probably experiences the same types of feelings that I experienced on my trips. Hearing about the poor is a completely different experience than truly going out and seeing it for yourself. Many people need to go out and see how poverty stricken some countries are, but for others, hearing is believing. The poverty among these countries is a great problem and there are many organizations that are trying to do something about it, but they need our help. Organizations such as, International Justice Mission, Compassion and International World

Some topics in this essay:
Ecuador Christmas, , Gary Haugen, Americans Christians, World Hunger, Living America, Egypt Ecuador, Ecuador Egypt, Christian America, dollar day, village people, poverty stricken, gary haugen,