What if you were from one of the poorest regions of the world, having only a few hundred dollars to live on for an entire year.
Imagine never hearing the name of Jesus Christ and his message of freedom, grace, life.
The people of the 10/40 window, the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia between 10 degrees and 40 degrees north latitude, do not only imagine what life would be like under such conditions, they do not know any different.
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| The "10/40" Window |
The poorest of the poor hopelessly wander the streets. In fact, 85% of the world's poorest people live within the 10/40 window. Without suitable resources, hope is lost.
Few have heard the Good News-the Kingdom of Heaven is here! Of the 3.6 billion unreached people in the world, 88% live in or near the 10/40 window. It is not a matter of being unreachable, just yet unreached.
I am burdened by the mere thought of poverty and hopelessness. Being blessed to know the comfort of a warm, cozy bed, any food I feel like eating and an abundance of clothes, shoes, electronics and other extravagant comforts that give my life ease, I am challenged to make a change. For one week, I will wear one shirt. Tomorrow begins the epic attire re-run that I pray will remind me to 1) Fervently pray for missionaries and Christians in the 10/40 window, 2) Allow God room to ground me again, and 3) Put my focus on Him instead of the luxuries of my life.
As much as I would like to, I cannot take the credit. My dear friend, Cassie, is a member of an amazing church of huge-hearted Christ followers. Students, pastors, and leaders are committing to wear one shirt everyday for a month. This shirt literally says, "My One Shirt," and is a fundraiser for the Galbreath family so they can purchase a van to
get around and do ministry in Hachinohe, Japan. Their ministry involves
church planting and ministering to the people of Japan. The deadline to order a shirt has passed, so we will need to get creative on how we can make a difference too!
How can you be involved?
Here are some ideas:
- Take the One Shirt Challenge with me!
- Donate to My One Shirt (see link for nlchurch below)
- Fast from social media
- Reactivate your "dumb" phone and put your smart phone to rest for a month
- Pray for Christians in the 10/40 window
- Repost New Life Church's link (below) and tell your FB and Twitter friends about life in the 10/40 window (then go on your fast)
- Eat the same thing for breakfast every day for a week
- Don't use condiments for a week
- Drink only water for a month
Please follow my blog and leave comments on how you are getting involved and making a difference. Be a world changer.
http://www.nlchurch.com/next-gen/myoneshirt.html
http://www.joshuaproject.net/10-40-window.php
