Ya’ll, does your heart break every time you watch five minutes of the evening news?
© UNICEF/UN044445/Al-Issa
You want to do something, anything, to help those in need but have no idea where to start?
On Normal Wednesday, you know – the day that happens after Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday – that day, November 30, CNN’s headline read “Aleppo Descends to Hell: UN Emergency Meeting Called“. My eyes glossed over and I looked away because I could not stomach more.
More violence.
More trauma.
More helplessness.
We in the civilized western hemisphere are so far removed – not only in geographical miles – but also far removed from experiencing war fare, fleeing broken homes in rags, or nightly serenades of bombs exploding as you pray you wake to see another sunrise.
Wanna be a world changer but despair that your just little ‘ol you?
Here are 5 practical ways you can actually help someone in Aleppo.
- Preemptive Love Coalition – Jesus said to love your neighbor. He didn’t say love those who look and live just like you. This organization is the real deal. And they even have Christmas gifts you can buy that are made from refugees.
- We Welcome Refugees – Sign a petition, join a movement, let your voice be heard that refugees are welcome where you live
- Make a Welcome Kit for a Refugee Family – Working with World Relief
- Lutheran Services of Carolinas – This organization welcomes refugees from all over the world. Contact them if your church would like to partner with them in welcoming a refugee family
- Pray – for world leaders to have wisdom on how aid can be brought to those in need – for how you can help – for our hearts to be opened deeper and wider so we might be willing to sacrifice our own comforts and have time or money for those who need our help
As my wise friend Kelly encouraged me on that Normal Wednesday,
When you feel you can’t conquer the world – give anyway, love anyway. Any time you give, any love you share WILL make a positive impact.
© UNICEF/UN044437/Al-Issa