An earthquake A tsunami Aftershocks stronger than the earthquake in Haiti Then a growing nuclear disaster It is too hard for me to comprehend the scope and pain of the suffering in Japan right now. In fact, it is likely impossible for any of us who have not lived through that. But you and I can help. I am giving a generous gift and invite you to do the same. Offer help, healing and hope in a very bleak and desperate situation. Catholic Relief Services and World Vision are both already at work and need your help. And it sure beats rejoicing in others' suffering like the girl whose video we posted on the home page. She credits God for wreaking havoc on Japan and non-believers there. One word - WOW.

You know of my love for the work that the Murphy Harpst Children's Center does with children who have been abused and sexually traumatized by the adults who should have been caring for them. Take a listen to this excellent piece. May it inspire you as it does me.

This Christmas, I pray for Tony, a boy I mentioned to you earlier this year. Let me remind you. Tony (I have changed his name) lives at the Murphy Harpst home in Georgia where he arrived carrying only a paper sack of clothes. All his possessions in a single grocery sack. Tony has been sexually abused by a number of men in his life; he has been beaten, burned, and forced to live in a box. Tony is withdrawn and angry. He has failed in 12 foster placement homes, and Murphy Harpst is his last hope. Like most of the kids who live at Murphy Harpst, Tony has tried to end his life. Death seems more hopeful to him than what he has experienced from life and adults so far. The therapists, counselors, and teachers at Murphy Harpst will love Tony abundantly. They will do the hard work of trying to bring healing and repair to his broken soul. For the first time, Tony will have a chance at understanding the word "home." He will attend a special school designed for kids who have been as badly abused as he has. Because of their work and the faith they share, Tony has an 82% chance of functioning and interacting normally in society, a remarkable rate of recovery. No one else does the work Murphy Harpst does. And they need help. Given the economy and cuts in government funding, Murphy Harpst is presently unable to fund $500,000 in therapy for abused children. If you and I do not help make up that difference, many children like Tony will not receive help. Please help. Anita and I give generously to help Murphy Harpst, and I invite you to make a gift also in this crucial time. We make gifts each Christmas in honor of our three brothers and their families rather than shopping for yet another pair of socks or a tie. To help, email my friend, Emily Saltino, who leads their funding efforts, at esaltino@murphyharpst.net. Merry Christmas!

Will be in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill this week for the North Carolina Children's Hospital Radio-thon. Partnering with our friends at WPTF. I will be broadcasting live from there on Wednesday and Thursday night. You can help improve the life of a child by sharing in the online auction. Good stuff - Hank Williams, Jr. signed guitar, Chris Paul autographed shoes, and memorabilia from the Black Crowes.

Thank you to so many for sponsoring children over the weekend edition of the show. I did not get to thank you personally on air, so here are some more folks to thank. We have now surpassed 100 children being sponsored, and continue to make our way toward our goal of 200. Thank you! Sponsor a child now by clicking here John M Richmond, KY Chuck B Prosser, WA Larry R Winston, GA Venkat A Johns Creek, GA Sandra B Tipp City, OH Paula L Tacoma, WA Debbie T Saginaw, MI Aaron S Austelll, GA Roman C Watkinsville, GA Stan and Kay W Atlanta, GA (10 children) Thomas J Lexington, KY Linda C Des Moines, WA Craig M Oviedo, FL Stephen S Valrico, FL Matt F Lithia Springs, GA Laura B Grayson, GA Daniel H Lodi, CA Cristian F Norcross, GA John C Alpharetta, GA Richard V Tampa, FL Mike M Alpharetta, GA Florence B Johns Creek, GA (4 children) John H Woodstock, GA Melissa L Atlanta GA Jim and Nancy M Dunedin, FL Mike A Decatur, AL Catherine P Troy, OH Kevin and Mary A Daleville, VA Norman T Nashville TN Beth C Kirkland, WA

More thank yous to listeners like you who have made the bold decision to sponsor a child as a part of our adventure with World Vision this week. Time ran out on the show before I could personally thank these newest sponsors on-air. Matt in Cleo, Michigan Marty in Roswell, Georgia Alvin in Stockbridge, Georgia (2 children) Shirleen in Auburn, Washington Justin in University Place, Washington Gabriel in Oak Harbor, Washington Kimberly in Olympia, Washington Ty in Tucson, Arizona (2 children) Please join them in sharing hope and help for one child by clicking here.

Today is the day. And I am glad. Meat. Potatoes. Dessert. They all await me for dinner tonight! 5 days of nothing but plain rice and plain beans has taught me more than I expected. It not only showed me some of what Pape, my World Vision sponsor child, experiences with this as his daily diet, it also showed me that I am way more comfortable than I thought. It has also been a privilege to partner with World Vision this week and to serve alongside them in finding sponsors for hungry children. My wife and I originally planned to sponsor two children but were moved by so many of your stories of sacrifice that we added a third child. All three of our sponsor children are in Senegal because we wanted to serve children in a predominantly Muslim nation as an expression of unconditional love to people who can never repay us. And as a small gesture of hope that perhaps these young people will grow up to be leaders in love of their own region or country because they experienced unconditional love from some folks way far away. The final results are still coming in. I will share those with you early next week after the weekend shows, but we are now past 50 children (our goal remains 200!) who have been sponsored by friends and listeners just like you. 50 children who now have more hope today than they did yesterday. Thank you! Please sponsor a child now by clicking here.

After a lunch of rice (no beans at the restaurant where I met a friend for lunch), I watched this video from a colleague in radio regarding his visit to Senegal. I think you will appreciate it. It personalizes for me with faces the people who are being helped when you and I sponsor a child through World Vision.

Day 3 of my rice and beans diet. At this point, I no longer look forward to meals at all. In other words, I now eat to live rather than living to eat. Maybe that is the point, huh? I have heard that phrase before but never really knew it until now. Food plays a much larger role in my life than it should. I ask you to sponsor one child for at least one month through World Vision to help a child get the basics of life. God bless you! It has also been most encouraging to get emails and comments from friends and listeners who are choosing to sponsor a child through World Vision or are already sponsoring and appreciate the small gesture of merely eating rice and beans. Here are three from this morning: 1) Frank Already sponsoring. I like the idea of rice and beans for a week. It will help be more aware of what our sponsored kids go through. Thanks for the idea. 2) Cathy on Facebook Not that rice and beans aren't tasty once in a while, but having that be your one and only meal day after day. No cheese, no salsa, no beer or chips....just rice and beans. Keep going Allen! You are making a difference! 3) Mark on Facebook We have been a sponsor for two children through World Vision for several years. Thanks for doing this to raise awareness!

OK, I am a weak unit. Just five meals into this rice and beans only diet for World Vision Week, and I am already growing tired of it. And boy, do I really miss sugar - sweet tea and chocolate. Going cold turkey was harder than I thought. However, this is turning into a significant spiritual moment for me. First, in showing me just how much time I think about food each day and how much I take it for granted. When you know every meal is going to be the same, you spend a lot less time focused on food and stomach desires. Time and thought energy I can channel into things that actually matter a great deal more than my own food delights. This is also reminding me of what I thought I knew but clearly had forgotten. Most of the world does not enjoy the luxuries, even regarding the basics of food, that I do. Rice and beans are simple, filling, and unglamorous. By limiting myself to this diet for just 7 days, God has thrown me back into an awareness of just how challenging life is for most of the world's children. And He has also caused me to rethink whether I really care enough to sacrifice and be willing to help in any way at all. Or whether it is easier just to talk about it. One piece of good news - my wife and I have discovered another way to sponsor a child. By giving up our home phone (which really is not much of a sacrifice since we rarely use it), we can free up the money to provide the basics of life for another child. Funny the thoughts that come to your head when you actually start noodling and evaluating stuff. This is turning out to be a more significant moment than I expected. I had gotten a little stuck in my own comfort and life. This has forced me outside of myself in a fresh way. God is like that, isn't He? If I will just stop the frenzy long enough to pay attention, He leads me to a healthier view of life beyond myself. Please sponsor a child through World Vision alongside us. That child's life will be changed, and yours will likely be altered in ways that you do not expect. And there will be a little less poverty in the world.