In just under two weeks, I turn 32. (That’s weird to see.)
Anyway, this year I wanted to do something a little different for my birthday, and I need your help to do it. Many of you already know my friend Eugene Cho, and the organization he started, One Day’s Wages, “a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty.”
One of the options ODW makes available is donating one’s birthday for a cause. And so that’s what I’m doing.
The United Nations estimates that, since the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011:
- almost 200,000 people have lost their lives;
- about 4,000,000 people have been forced to flee their homeland;
- with millions more displaced within Syria.
As the threat of the so-called Islamic State has spread from Syria to Iraq, ODW has expanded their efforts to respond to the plight of Iraqi refugees as well. And every cent of your donation will go toward providing aid and respite for these refugees.
As we say at The District Church, every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story is precious to God. The plight of displaced Syrians and Iraqis doesn’t often make the front pages any more, but their lives and livelihoods are no less important.
* 100% of your donations will go straight to the cause.
[Photo: Khalil Mazraawi – AFP/Getty Images]