This year during the holiday season, my family is celebrating what we call a week of poverty. My husband and I decided to educate ourselves and our children about poverty during the holidays because many people go hungry and cold while we have plenty.
On Thanksgiving Day we had a family time of devotion where we shared with our boys that the first week of December would be our poverty week project. To begin the week of poverty we held a family devotion on Monday and again the following Monday as we ended the week.
Our budget of $50 for the entire week was quickly consumed in just gas and parking fees. The heater was turned off and we only ate what was in the pantry. There were no trips to the grocery store for the entire week. Showers were cut short and entertainment eliminated for the week. My children’s lunches were homemade and simple.
During the week we exposed our children to benevolence projects at our local church and in the community. The purpose? To teach our children that while we have a comfortable life, there are those less fortunate who can live on a lot less and still have a smile on their faces.
By the second day, our children were already experiencing emotions about poverty they could not understand. This gave us the opportunity to teach them what the Bible says concerning poverty. My children loved poverty week and have shared what they learned with their friends. They have already asked us to do it again so their friends can join in too.
About Beba Schlottmann
Beba Schlottmann is an exuberant worshiper whose passion comes from a deeply-rooted relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for diverse styles of music and cultures. Moving to the states at age 12 from Puerto Rico, Beba graduated from West Coast Christian College in Fresno, CA. She is the president of Women on the Move, a ministry of the Lawrenceville Church of God. Beba also serves as a worship leader, teacher, interpreter and as a mentor. Beba's involvement in mission work has taken her to Europe, Central America and the Caribbean where she has served as a speaker, teacher, worship leader and interpreter. Beba's pride and joy are the men in her life, her husband Brian and their two boys, Matthew and Julian. She enjoys traveling, writing, reading, singing, and hosting international friends. Her not-so-secret indulgences include coffee and any flavor of Milka chocolate. You can visit her blog or Facebook profile to find out more about Beba.
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