Be inspired

Ever want to learn more about what's going on around the world? Well, let me introduce you to my favorite blogs. Some make me laugh, others make me cry, and some give me chills after every read as I see how people are globally movin' and shakin' in the name of Jesus. So, feel free to tune into the following blogs and be inspired.

• Sixty Feet - This is my dream ministry. A woman wandering through Uganda saw an old sign for a "Children's home" only to find the "home" full of malnourished children chained to windows, sitting in their excrements, etc. There weren't enough adults to supervise these kids, so the government had to imprison them rather than let them roam. From the sixty feet website "The power of that moment could not be denied. The statistics and figures that Nathalie knew all too well now had a name and a face. The suffering was real and her first hand experience would change the course of her life and the lives of these children. A glorious story of redemption for these little ones began that day when Nathalie followed an inkling and wandered into “M”. These are normal folks bringing Jesus to the poor and suffering kids in Uganda. Awesome. 
• Kisses from Katie - This blog chronicles the work of Jesus through a young girl named Katie, an early 20-something who answered the call of the orphan crisis, adopted 14 orphaned girls in Uganda, and runs a school for them. She also ministers to the community. Whenever I think my life is complicated or difficult, I just read one of her blog postings and feel foolish for ever worrying about the simplicity of my life. This young lady will blow you away. 
• All Things Hendricks - This family packed up, moved to Haiti, and started serving mothers and orphans there. There is some TOUGH stuff on this site, especially because the orphan crisis in Haiti, like elsewhere, is so overwhelming that sometimes orphanages must turn away kids and then wonder what happened to them. I can't imagine that pain. BUT it's great to see that in spite of this suffering, God is working in the Haitian's lives. Read away. 
• Heartline Haiti - A blog about the ministry to pregnant women and to mothers seeking resources, training on how to nourish their children, and microfinance opportunities to provide for their families. 
• Mercy House - An organization in Kenya that ministers to women, girls, and children who are vulnerable to human trafficking, health risks with pregnancy, and just overall need to hear and see the gospel. 
• World Vision - A christian humanitarian organization that blogs about their work around the globe, from Asia to South America and everything in between. 
• Compassion International -  A Christian humanitarian organization that blogs about their work for the gospel worldwide, revealing tough realities on poverty, how it affects kids, and how we can help eradicate it. 

So, these are my favorites. I'd LOVE to hear in the comments what you read to be inspired and to learn how we can support the efforts of those carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

When we isolate ourselves from the intense suffering of the world, we sink into the insulation of consumerism, materialism, family, work, and even church. But God wants the church to be more than just four walls that minister to each other within. He wants us to bust out of there and proclaim his restoring peace, grace and mercy. Sometimes we can go and literally do this to the nations, but other times we need to remain steadfast in prayerfully and financially supporting those who are out there at the front lines. So even though it's tough to read about babies dying of malnutrition, mothers whose children are starving, the squalor of poverty, and the pain of so many, we MUST read on, we MUST remember them, and we MUST lift them up to Jesus. Please share the sites you love to read to raise awareness of the world's pain and suffering and how Jesus is sending his emissaries to be his hands and feet.