The Unthinkable

Imagine being at work all day, tired from not getting much sleep the night before. You barely can wait until lunch time so you can visit your favorite eating spot. You walk in, they recognize you and you say, "I'll have what i normally get". You make it to the register and the clerk says, "OK that would be sixteen dollars and twenty three cent please". This is whats considered a normal day for you. Maybe grabbing a quick breakfast before rushing out the door for work, lunch and then dinner is a complete day. Maybe in a day you spend close to $30 on just food. Now imagine someone not being able to eat $30 dollars worth of food in 9 months.

For most of us, the thought of skipping a meal is almost humorous but it has become a fatal reality for some 29,000 Somali kids. On August 4, 2011 it was reported that 29,000 Somali kids died in 9 months from famine. There is a lack of water, food and help in Somalia. Different parts of Africa have and has been affected badly and when I heard of this, I reached out to gain more information about it. I was able to contact a long time friend (of a friend of mine) who is a Missionary there and had a skype conversation with him. He explained to me that it is worse than any human could imagine. He informed me of the lack of clean water and no electricity amongst the food being scarce. He explained how people there are so in need that they take chances with their lives just to eat some food and drink water. The living conditions there are unthinkable not to mention unhealthy and unsafe. He told me a story about a little boy there that touched my heart deeply.

He said there was a little boy (around 8 or 9) who mother and father died earlier this year from aids. His neighbor took him in but his neighbor was an alcoholic and also was abusive so the little boy ran away. The Missionary goes out to these towns to preach the word of God and share snacks or whatever he can take to feed the people as he encourages them. He said the little boy always would come to the meetings and one day he had a conversation with him. Being young he was very open about his life and the Missionary wanted to cry but didn't because he wanted to be strong for the boy. At that moment he was told that the little boy too has aids as well. He then asked the boy, "If you could have anything, what would it be". The boy replied and said, "before my mom and dad died they promised me a bike" then he lowered his head. This little boy could have asked for food, shelter or even life but he asked for a bike. Maybe that bike meant more to him than we could ever imagine. Confidently the Missionary said, "we will get you a bike". Not knowing where he would even get the money for a bike, he just believed that God would see the little boys heart and make a way. A lady came up to the Missionary 2 weeks later at a meeting and said, "God put on my heart to give you my tithes, its not much but i want you to have it". The Missionary seen this as a blessing and immediately asked God, "What do i do with this Lord". Then he remembered the little boy from 2 weeks before. Obviously not having enough money for a bike he continued to believe and looked for a bike at a nearby store but the price was too high then he began to pray even more. All of a sudden the bike went on sale and the price of the bike was the exact amount of money he had gotten from the lady. He bought the bike and the very next day the price on the bike went back up.

During our skype conversation, he showed me the bike he had gotten to present to the little boy. Just the sheer excitement from him lit a fire in me to want to reach out to them even more. After that skype conversation I was encouraged and hurt at the same time. I began to pray and tears rolled down my eyes remembering the things he had shared with me. I prayed and God showed me a way that i could help.

I have a mixtape series called "Warning Before Destruction" and I never knew why I called my first one that but God was preparing me for moments like this. Warning Before Destruction is not just a title but it means that at any moment we could become the less fortunate. Its a constant reminder as well of the world we live in.

I created a wrist bands that reads "Warning Before Destruction" for the "Africa Famine Relief" and they are available for purchase @ ThisIsGS.com. More than half the proceeds will go directly to the affected areas in Africa. I ask you to open your hearts and support a cause that is in dyer need of your help. Tell a friend, pass on the message but help as much as you can...your contributions will make a difference. I as well as Africa thanks you in advance.