What a week! Congratulations — You made it to Day Five! How has this made you feel? Only one more day and our lives can return to normal. But for so many, normal is far worse than anything we've experienced this week. Hopefully this challenge opened your eyes to see the daily struggles that more than a billion people face every single day. You can help alleviate some of this suffering by bringing packets of vegetable seeds to worship this weekend. Did you know that one packet of seeds will save a child's life for 6 months! Over 18,000 children die of starvation each day. It's very rare to be able to say you saved a life. Bring those seeds in and make it happen! We'll also receive canned food items to support local flood victims.

I hear the local businesses have seen a spike in rice, beans, seeds, and canned food sales this week.

Scripture
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 them,
 and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58: 6–7)

Reflection
Although there are hundreds of needs all around us, what is God calling you to do to make a difference in your community?

Pray
Pray for our Christian churches around the globe that are in the trenches serving their communities daily. These churches are addressing the needs of their communities holistically (spiritually, physically, and emotionally) and bringing hope. When local churches get it right, they are the hope of the world. There is no plan B.