TAIWANESE YOUTH FAST FOR WORLD HUNGER

	On the evening of May 3, 2002, the Taiwanese Youth gathered at the church 
at 6:00p.m.  The purpose of the evening was to focus on world hunger and 
challenge the youth to change the their  world.  Activities and Bible Study 
taught them about world poverty.
	
	Approximately 3/4 of the worlds wealth is in North America.  The rest of 
the world shares 1/4 of the income.  Imagine living in a home with a 
crumbling roof.  Watching helplessly as your children become ill from 
unclean drinking water, scrounging for crumbs of food off a muddy 
floor.  Imagine someone visiting your home and helping you build a stable 
roof.  Establishing a clean water supply, helping you raise health crops so 
your family won't starve, sharing the love of God. This is the hope that 
World Vision brings to those with little hope.

	How fortunate we are to have a roof over our heads and clean water and 
food. We have more than necessities,we have toys, video equipment and 
computers.  We learned that God has blessed us  in the US for a reason, 
and that we could make an impact on the lives of others.

	The youth were asked to fast from breakfast.  It was hard to skip lunch at 
school when every else was eating.  Cafeteria food doesn't look so bad when 
you have skipped a meal. Many children begin their day hungry.
Praying that they would not break the fast, they continued until the 
evening when they arrived at the church.  Each student was asked to donate 
$l0.00 to world hunger as they registered.  Then they were given 11 
cents.  Eleven cents is the wage that many people make in third world 
countries.  Hardly enough to buy food, let alone clothing and necessities. 
They could spend that money on food or toilet paper.

	The students then learned what it was like to live on 11 cents.  Clean 
water, 5 cents, one egg 5cents, one slice of bread was 2 cents, a pickle 
was 6 cents and a banana 9 cents, toilet tissue was 3 squares for a 
penny.  They learned that they could not buy what they wanted, some pooled 
their money and shared food with a friend, eating one half a pickle or one 
half a banana.  We soon realized what poverty is like for some 
families.  Mothers and Fathers must go work daily just to buy food, leaving 
children to care for children.  We take having clean water for grated.  We 
have heated homes.  In Afghanistan, $10.00 will buy wood for an entire 
families winter heat.  $400. will buy a cow for an African 
family.  Children in this countries dream of a better life. Our Bible study 
caused us to realize that we have been so privileged to live in the 
U.S.  We take for granted how we have been blessed.

	Teens wondered what can I do to change the world?  How can I make a 
difference?  When we listed our assets, we discovered all had time that we 
could give.  We could donate ability to work.  A car wash at the 
church, is scheduled as soon as it stops raining! They are so excited about 
helping make someones life better.  I know that God will multiply their 
efforts.

	If you would like to contribute to the Taiwanese Youth Group's fund for 
World Vision, please contact the church, phone number 636/256-7022.