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August 1, 2011 ·

S.O.S. ~ Somalia on Saturdays

Christian lifestyle· Church life· Global Things

I was in the airport in Wyoming when I first saw the pictures. In the 2 weeks since, I have watched and prayed and thought and laid awake and pondered. Maybe this blog is my “two mites;” I know God wants to use it to help answer the prayers and cries of suffering people.

I’m talking about the crisis unfolding in Somalia, impacting areas in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Millions of people are being impacted in the first official famine declared by the UN in the 21st century. The first chance of rain is expected to be October. The Dadaab Refugee Camp is overflowing with over 400,00 people, with 1,300 more arriving daily. Refugees are walking out of Somalia for up to 50 miles, just to reach the camp and a chance for food many haven’t had in a week. Surviving parents are making the difficult decision to leave some children alone to die on the road when they are too weak to go on. Along the way, women are facing increasing violence and sexual assault from the truly wicked.



This crisis is the result of an awful collision of drought, food prices, and violence. Many people are responding in the name of many worthwhile things, but I want to respond on behalf of God’s name. I was waiting for someone else to lead the way, but God has imprinted an idea of His on my heart and mind that I am sure He is waiting for me to obediently respond to.

There are 4 Saturdays in August. One one or more or all of the Saturdays in August, would you forgo solid food with me and use the money, instead, to give it to meet needs in Somalia? 

I’m asking for you to think, pray, and give for “Somalia on Saturdays.”  I’m calling it “S.O.S.” for short. I want us to remember to pray for those who are suffering every time a hunger pang strikes or the abundance passes us.

Many experienced organizations are intervening. As of now, these are faith based organizations I have found that are already on the ground or implementing plans of support in crisis areas:  (Click on any one to read about their plans.)

  • Compassion International –
  • Samaritan’s Purse International Relief –
  • World Help –
  • World Vision –

You don’t have to tell me if you give or where you give or how much you give. Just give in Jesus’ name in the way He would give. Will you help me honor Him by taking at least one Saturday this month to think, pray, and give to “Somalia on Saturday?” I know the Lord is calling me to act, and I pray He will call you too to join me in S.O.S.

I’ve created a Facebook event to help spread the word. Please visit and help spread the word so that more followers of God will act on His behalf in response to the cries of Africa.

If you are a blogger who wants to join me and share this wherever you have “two mites,” feel free to copy the code.  We are using the hashtag #SOSproject on Twitter.

SOSProject

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Related

Previous Post: « S.O.S. ~ Somalia on Saturdays
Next Post: Tasty Tuesday … Bacon Swiss Muffins »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LRBurdett says

    August 5, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Bless you, Julie!  We all possess the compassion to support these precious people and I can't think of a better way than SOS.

  2. Cynthia Stroud says

    August 7, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over….little apprehensive about the next few weeks!  I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony…not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!

  3. Cynthia Stroud says

    August 7, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over….little apprehensive about the next few weeks!  I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony…not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!

  4. Julie_Sanders says

    August 10, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I can relate. Some of those "unexpected results" of SOS have been what God showed me about what I think about, what I depend on, and what I love. H challenged me to commit to disciplining my thought life, to consider if I'm really having the "mind of Christ." Yes, He uses things to speak to us individually, and I'm right there with you! I'm anticipating what else He wants to show me about ME while turning my heart to Him for others. So glad you've joined me Cindy!

    Julie Sanders
    http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com

    ________________________________

  5. Julie_Sanders says

    September 13, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    It's our joy to join you in serving the Lord in Somalia, Claudia. Thank you to you and World Help for representing God in a dark place. We're praying for those who are on the ground daily.  Yes, To God Be The Glory!!!
    Julie Sanders
    http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com

    ________________________________

August 1, 2011 ·

S.O.S. ~ Somalia on Saturdays

Christian lifestyle· Church life· Global Things

I was in the airport in Wyoming when I first saw the pictures. In the 2 weeks since, I have watched and prayed and thought and laid awake and pondered. Maybe this blog is my “two mites;” I know God wants to use it to help answer the prayers and cries of suffering people.

I’m talking about the crisis unfolding in Somalia, impacting areas in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia and Kenya. Millions of people are being impacted in the first official famine declared by the UN in the 21st century. The first chance of rain is expected to be October. The Dadaab Refugee Camp is overflowing with over 400,00 people, with 1,300 more arriving daily. Refugees are walking out of Somalia for up to 50 miles, just to reach the camp and a chance for food many haven’t had in a week. Surviving parents are making the difficult decision to leave some children alone to die on the road when they are too weak to go on. Along the way, women are facing increasing violence and sexual assault from the truly wicked.



This crisis is the result of an awful collision of drought, food prices, and violence. Many people are responding in the name of many worthwhile things, but I want to respond on behalf of God’s name. I was waiting for someone else to lead the way, but God has imprinted an idea of His on my heart and mind that I am sure He is waiting for me to obediently respond to.

There are 4 Saturdays in August. One one or more or all of the Saturdays in August, would you forgo solid food with me and use the money, instead, to give it to meet needs in Somalia? 

I’m asking for you to think, pray, and give for “Somalia on Saturdays.”  I’m calling it “S.O.S.” for short. I want us to remember to pray for those who are suffering every time a hunger pang strikes or the abundance passes us.

Many experienced organizations are intervening. As of now, these are faith based organizations I have found that are already on the ground or implementing plans of support in crisis areas:  (Click on any one to read about their plans.)

  • Compassion International –
  • Samaritan’s Purse International Relief –
  • World Help –
  • World Vision –

You don’t have to tell me if you give or where you give or how much you give. Just give in Jesus’ name in the way He would give. Will you help me honor Him by taking at least one Saturday this month to think, pray, and give to “Somalia on Saturday?” I know the Lord is calling me to act, and I pray He will call you too to join me in S.O.S.

I’ve created a Facebook event to help spread the word. Please visit and help spread the word so that more followers of God will act on His behalf in response to the cries of Africa.

If you are a blogger who wants to join me and share this wherever you have “two mites,” feel free to copy the code.  We are using the hashtag #SOSproject on Twitter.

SOSProject

Share with a friend?

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Related

Previous Post: « Marriage Mondays ~ She’s about to blow!
Next Post: S.O.S. ~ Somalia on Saturdays »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LRBurdett says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    Bless you, Julie!  We all possess the compassion to support these precious people and I can't think of a better way than SOS.

  2. Cynthia Stroud says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over….little apprehensive about the next few weeks!  I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony…not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!

  3. Cynthia Stroud says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    OK- first S.O.S. God has really worked me over….little apprehensive about the next few weeks!  I started cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen yesterday and ended up with enough outdated food to have fed a small family for quite awhile. The Lord really spoke to me about gluttony…not just my eating habits but the gluttony of my soul lately. I realized how inward my own eyes have been the past year. I have been so disconnected in a lot of ways from all that is going on around me. Didn't expect that! I love that God is continually remaking me into what He wants me to be (when I cooperate). Amazing how He uses things to speak to us individually on so many levels. Thankful for sweet conviction and the personal God we serve. Thanks for being a vessel Julie!

  4. Julie_Sanders says

    August 9, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    I can relate. Some of those "unexpected results" of SOS have been what God showed me about what I think about, what I depend on, and what I love. H challenged me to commit to disciplining my thought life, to consider if I'm really having the "mind of Christ." Yes, He uses things to speak to us individually, and I'm right there with you! I'm anticipating what else He wants to show me about ME while turning my heart to Him for others. So glad you've joined me Cindy!

    Julie Sanders
    http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com

    ________________________________

  5. Julie_Sanders says

    September 13, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    It's our joy to join you in serving the Lord in Somalia, Claudia. Thank you to you and World Help for representing God in a dark place. We're praying for those who are on the ground daily.  Yes, To God Be The Glory!!!
    Julie Sanders
    http://www.comehaveapeace.blogspot.com

    ________________________________

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Thanks so much for stopping in. I'm glad you're here. I believe we're meant to know peace in our lives, so I write about how to find it in our relationships and how to share it with others. I like to keep things sourced in God's truth and useful for life. May your moments here leave you with a little more peace for your days.

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"Julie’s writings and teachings have been spiritual markers in my life. The deep knowledge of the Word she possesses, and they way in which she delivers it through her writing are deeply impactful. I would say that my favorite piece about Julie’s work is the way she speaks truth in love. She never waters down scripture to fit someone’s desires. And she does this with so much grace and compassion."

Susan - Homeschool Mom, Foster Mom & Business Consultant, Mt. Juliet, TN

Julie Sanders, Author and Speaker
5
2019-09-08T18:00:00-04:00

Susan - Homeschool Mom, Foster Mom & Business Consultant, Mt. Juliet, TN

"Julie’s writings and teachings have been spiritual markers in my life. The deep knowledge of the Word she possesses, and they way in which she delivers it through her writing are deeply impactful. I would say that my favorite piece about Julie’s work is the way she speaks truth in love. She never waters down scripture to fit someone’s desires. And she does this with so much grace and compassion."
https://juliesanders.org/testimonials/susan/
"Through the years and seasons of life, Julie willingly follows God's open doors and trusts Him at times when some windows have closed. I have gratefully watched, learned and gathered courage for my own following. Whether speaking, writing, or just being present, Julie's grace, wit, interests and love draw others closer in to listen and follow her in step with His grace and mercy."

Carla - Volunteer Coordinator, Harvest Church, Oswego, Illinois

Julie Sanders, Author and Speaker
5
2019-09-08T18:04:20-04:00

Carla - Volunteer Coordinator, Harvest Church, Oswego, Illinois

"Through the years and seasons of life, Julie willingly follows God's open doors and trusts Him at times when some windows have closed. I have gratefully watched, learned and gathered courage for my own following. Whether speaking, writing, or just being present, Julie's grace, wit, interests and love draw others closer in to listen and follow her in step with His grace and mercy."
https://juliesanders.org/testimonials/carla/
"Julie Sanders is uniquely gifted to speak the never-changing truth of God into the ever-changing lives of women. With authenticity and the confidence that grows from a journey of finding God faithful in every season, Julie calls women to find peace and comfort in Him alone."

Kristi - Women's Ministry Director, The Chapel in North Canton, Canton, OH

Julie Sanders, Author and Speaker
5
2019-09-13T21:32:41-04:00

Kristi - Women's Ministry Director, The Chapel in North Canton, Canton, OH

"Julie Sanders is uniquely gifted to speak the never-changing truth of God into the ever-changing lives of women. With authenticity and the confidence that grows from a journey of finding God faithful in every season, Julie calls women to find peace and comfort in Him alone."
https://juliesanders.org/testimonials/9175/
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