Most of us watch the news in somewhat of a disinterested manner.

We see the horrifying and tragic things happening in our communities and around the globe, maybe stop and say a prayer for those affected, and then quietly move on with our lives forgetting much of what we’ve just seen or read. But not Rose.

Recently, in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, I heard from a teenage girl who wanted to do more than watch the news. Rose wanted to do what she could to change the lives of those who were suffering. The problem was her pockets weren’t that deep. She didn’t have the money needed to help. That’s when she got an idea and Rose’s Read-A-Thon was born.

Rose plans to read for 100 hours over a 28 day period, and she’s been collecting pledges for every hour or page she reads. As of this writing, she’s already raised $255 for Compassion International’s Haiti Disaster Relief Fund.

I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words:

I had a specific goal of money that I wanted donated to Compassion’s Relief Fund, and then I prayed when this all began and said, “Lord, even if I only raise $10, I’m doing this for You!”

Well, I figured I might raise a little more than that, but in no way did I expect the figure I’ve got now. When I decided to pledge $50 myself and my Sunday School teacher pledged $50 the same day, I shook my head in amazement at God’s Ephesians 3:20 goodness. And people have just kept giving.

The impact I hope to make is simple. A humble ripple in the lake, really. I want people to realize that there are needs and that they can do something to supply those needs or change the world in Jesus’ name. They’ve just got to take the plunge!

I want people to know that there are people suffering, hurting, and dying each day in the impoverished countries Compassion serves. Most importantly, I want them to know that we can change that with only a penny and a prayer if that’s all we’ve got. I only had a stack of books to read, which I probably would have ended up reading anyway, yet God had other ideas and has taken my stumbling efforts and transformed this Read-A-Thon into something big and beautiful—maybe not by other’s standards, but by His and mine. He amazes me with His goodness, love, and power!

Rose’s Read-A-Thon will continue through March 12^th. If you would like to leave her an encouraging comment or make a pledge to help her you can visit her blog here.

I hear from a lot of teenage girls all over the world and nothing warms my heart more than receiving an email from a girl who is actively living out her commitment to follow Christ and change her world.

Last week we talked about some money management tips for teens here on the blog, and I received this email from one of my readers that stopped me in my tracks. This girl really gets it when it comes to what’s important and what’s not. And she’s using the money she earns at her part-time job to make a big difference in the life of someone else.

I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words:

My name is Joanna, I live in the rolling hills of southern Missouri, with my wonderful family!

Ever since I can remember, I would watch my Dad put a little note and some money in a envelope, address it, and put a stamp on it. Even though I had asked and heard the answer  a hundred times, and knew just what he would say, I would say “Dad who are you sending that to?”

Then he would take  a picture of of a little girl from Africa off his upper shelf and say “I am sending it to my sponsored child from Compassion“. I would always stare at the little girl in the picture and be so happy my Dad was changing her future!

Then I looked back at my dream dress. Could I really make her wait one more month before she knows that Jesus loves her and that somebody else cares about her, too? Make her wait…just because I found the perfect polka dot dress I’ve always imagined?!

No. I can’t and I won’t. I’m going to leave the dress on the rack and save my money because she’s worth a whole lot more!