The kids are still asleep (I know, I'm shocked as well) so this phenomenon leads me to believe I am meant to write something worthwhile and lasting this morning. Why else would they still be asleep at 8:05 on a Tuesday morning?
The cornmeal lunches are going well. Honestly, after a couple days of choking it down it got a little easier. My super amazing friend Alicia starts day 2 of her ENTIRE WEEK of cornmeal porridge today. She had a tough time eating it all day yesterday and felt pretty bad about herself ... the same way I felt the first time I choked it down.
Everyday I wake up and open my refrigerator and decide what to have for breakfast. After complaining to myself that I have to make it and wouldn't it be nice if I could just go out to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast like everyone else, I try and make something healthy for myself and the kids. Again, in my mind I think about how nice it would be to just go to Dunkin Donuts with the kids and not worry about health or money.
Before the cornmeal lunches, I would again look in the frig and try to find something for lunch after a long morning at the YMCA. I'd say to myself in my head, "You deserve so much better than this Amy ... but way to go for being so disciplined with your food budget, unlike so many others. You can prove what can be done with a tight budget and maybe someday someone will listen."
And then at dinnertime I would remove the small package of meat from the frig and make something with it that distributed the meat among all 5 (okay 4 of us, Tariku won't generally eat meat of any kind) of us in an economical way. I would again say to myself in my head, " Maybe for fun one night this week I'll buy a couple steaks from Aldi's and splurge for me and Pete ... maybe while we watch the Lost finale online after he gets back."
You see, in my head, I am not really satisfied or happy with the way we are choosing to eat on a budget. I do it because I know not only is it very do-able, but it is healthy and it is allowing us to do so many more exciting things with our money. But I am not REALLY satisified or happy with the scenerio.
Because, I too am a Jackass. (read my friend's blog for further reference)
I say I am sympathetic to the cause of the poor ... I am, really ... but it does not carry over to my head when I'm home alone cooking dinner for my family.
I think deep down that somehow I am more deserving than the beautiful Ethiopian mother who walks miles for dirty water and has nothing to feed her children. Somehow I have the right to whatever food I want today in my refrigerator, while she chooses to go hungry and instead gives her children the beans and cornmeal given to her by World Vision.
I think it may take more than a year to become really grateful for what I have. Not grateful on a surface level, but really grateful ... grateful in a way that even changes my thought patterns.
This morning I put fresh milk in my coffee. Fresh cow's milk in my refrigerator puts our family in the minority in this world. The vast majority of the world's population does not have access to fresh milk and I get annoyed when I have to use skim milk in my coffee instead of whole.
Come have lunch with me. Please. Let's talk together about how we might become more grateful people.
Live simply so that others may simply live.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Great friends
Everyone needs great friends.
You know the kind ... while the rest of the world is trying to ignore your crazy idea about corn meal porrige ... there they are ... jumping in to eat it with you!
Thank you! You know who you are!
And the porrige is going well. Honestly after 7 days of it, I'm sort of used to it. I'm still booking lunch dates for those who would like to join me! If you would like me to come to your work, I'm flexible for that too. :) For a donation of $5 (tax deductable to World Vision) we will eat together what so many in our world pray for each day.
Love you guys! Let me know how the book reading is going.
You know the kind ... while the rest of the world is trying to ignore your crazy idea about corn meal porrige ... there they are ... jumping in to eat it with you!
Thank you! You know who you are!
And the porrige is going well. Honestly after 7 days of it, I'm sort of used to it. I'm still booking lunch dates for those who would like to join me! If you would like me to come to your work, I'm flexible for that too. :) For a donation of $5 (tax deductable to World Vision) we will eat together what so many in our world pray for each day.
Love you guys! Let me know how the book reading is going.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The books are ready
The books are on their way out. :)
Here's what you'll find on the inside cover.
Be sure to let me know if you'd like a copy.
Dear Reader:
Please know that many prayers are being said over you as you read this book.
After you are finished reading, please write your name and the date inside the book, and return it to us so that someone else can read it next. If you would like someone you know to read it, consider purchasing a copy to loan to them!
Also, please take a moment to email us your thoughts about what you’ve read, as well as your intended course of action. We can’t wait to hear what you’re thinking!
Together we will change the world.
Pete and Amy Zipf
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger of malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10
Here's what you'll find on the inside cover.
Be sure to let me know if you'd like a copy.
Dear Reader:
Please know that many prayers are being said over you as you read this book.
After you are finished reading, please write your name and the date inside the book, and return it to us so that someone else can read it next. If you would like someone you know to read it, consider purchasing a copy to loan to them!
Also, please take a moment to email us your thoughts about what you’ve read, as well as your intended course of action. We can’t wait to hear what you’re thinking!
Together we will change the world.
Pete and Amy Zipf
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger of malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10
The Books Are Here!
I have to say, I am quite the fan of Amazon. Nothing like free shipping and 3 day delivery.
The books are here and I'll be getting them out this week. If you'd like to come by for some porriage, I can give you the book at the same time. And I'll be at the church tomorrow eating porriage with Pastor Roger, so let me know if you'd like me to make enough for you!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Day 1
Okay, here I am at day 1 of the Corn Meal for a year adventure. :) Many people have asked about what exactly I'm eating, so I guess I'll start with a brief description and recipe.
When World Vision brings in food to feed people who are starving, many times they provide ingredients to make a corn meal type "porriage." It is both economical and highly nutritious. It is not always what they use (depending on the region of the world, etc.), but it is a fair representation.
Here is the basic recipe:
1 cup cooked/smashed beans
3/4 cup maize or corn meal
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup dry milk
1/4 cup sugar
water to make it like cream of wheat consistency (you'll need at least 1 cup of water)
I mix everything together in a large bowl (bigger than you think might be necessary b/c the mixture tend to slosh around) until completely mixed. Then I pour it in a pan and cook it for about 5-10 minutes or until cooked through and bubbly.
This will make 2 servings, one for today ... and then I refrigerate the other serving so tomorrow I don't have to start all over again. I can just microwave it. With it I am having a glass of tap water.
Because I am obviously not starving, I have at this point taken out the oil and reduced the sugar by half.
Thanks everyone! I'll keep you posted on the progress!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Hole in Our Gospel
New book ... I just finished reading it.
The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns ... he's the president of World Vision.
World Vision is a global humanitarian aid organization.
I have known since I was a teenager that God put me here to fight for Africa. I have been using the excuse of "being young" for way to long. It's about time I step up to the plate and get something done.
Everyday 26,000 children die of hunger and hunger related causes. 26,000.
And, in a fair world, that should mean 26,000 mamas were wailing while they dug graves for their babies. But, likely, many of those children were orphaned long before they died. Which means they did not even have a mama to hold them and weep over them when they died.
So, things will be changing here at the Zipf house. And I'm here to challenge you to be a part of the fun. :)
1. If you promise to read it, we will personally supply you (free) with a copy of the book, The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns. I'll have 20 copies by the end of the week. When you are finished with it, either give it back or foward it onto someone who will promise to read it.
2. Those of you who were at the 30 hour famine will appreciate this one ... starting Monday I will be eating the Corn Meal Porriage we served at the famine everyday for lunch (Monday-Friday) for a year. If you think I'm stronger than you, you're mistaken. I ate a bowl of it, yes ... but I choked it down. Everyday I will put $5 in a jar to represent the amount of money I'm not spending on a regular lunch. At the end of the year, the money will be given to World Vision.
The money will give others the opportunity to eat corn meal porriage. And they will walk miles for it. And they will be grateful because it's the only food they have.
I will learn to be grateful. Damn it, I will learn.
And I'm inviting you to join me for lunch anytime over the next year. We'll be having corn meal porriage and the topic of conversation will be the book. Please bring $5 to contribute to the jar and let's see how much money we can raise together.
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Taken from the Bible, Isaiah chapter 58
The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns ... he's the president of World Vision.
World Vision is a global humanitarian aid organization.
I have known since I was a teenager that God put me here to fight for Africa. I have been using the excuse of "being young" for way to long. It's about time I step up to the plate and get something done.
Everyday 26,000 children die of hunger and hunger related causes. 26,000.
And, in a fair world, that should mean 26,000 mamas were wailing while they dug graves for their babies. But, likely, many of those children were orphaned long before they died. Which means they did not even have a mama to hold them and weep over them when they died.
So, things will be changing here at the Zipf house. And I'm here to challenge you to be a part of the fun. :)
1. If you promise to read it, we will personally supply you (free) with a copy of the book, The Hole in Our Gospel, by Richard Stearns. I'll have 20 copies by the end of the week. When you are finished with it, either give it back or foward it onto someone who will promise to read it.
2. Those of you who were at the 30 hour famine will appreciate this one ... starting Monday I will be eating the Corn Meal Porriage we served at the famine everyday for lunch (Monday-Friday) for a year. If you think I'm stronger than you, you're mistaken. I ate a bowl of it, yes ... but I choked it down. Everyday I will put $5 in a jar to represent the amount of money I'm not spending on a regular lunch. At the end of the year, the money will be given to World Vision.
The money will give others the opportunity to eat corn meal porriage. And they will walk miles for it. And they will be grateful because it's the only food they have.
I will learn to be grateful. Damn it, I will learn.
And I'm inviting you to join me for lunch anytime over the next year. We'll be having corn meal porriage and the topic of conversation will be the book. Please bring $5 to contribute to the jar and let's see how much money we can raise together.
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail."
Taken from the Bible, Isaiah chapter 58
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