Studying the Animals

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, 

pressed down, shaken together and running over, 

will be poured into your lap. 

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:38

The fourteen children in our Music & Missions program on Wednesday evenings have learned a lot about domesticated animals through our study of Heifer International, a charity that gives animals to impoverished families to a) give them food, b) give them them the means to supply their own needs, and c) give them the means to better their lives.  Recipients are taught how to care for their animals, as well as paying it forward by sharing a portion of the offspring with other poor families.

Each week the children study a different animal, and I learn so much as I prepare those lessons.  For instance, I have always thought that camels store water in their humps.  In actuality, the humps are composed of fatty tissue.  I would not have guessed that a goat is the most requested animal, because it is small and doesn't eat as much as a cow, gives milk (from which one can make yogurt and cheese), and the hair of the goat is used to make clothing, etc. We have also studied pigs, chickens, sheep and fish.

Every week the children save their coins in a special Heifer piggy bank. Once a month we take up an offering from the congregation to purchase animals to be given by Heifer.  In September, we raised funds to purchase 13 flocks of chickens.  In October, we purchased two sheep.  This Sunday, we will again be taking up an offering - this time to purchase honey bees.  How exciting it is to read the success stories of families around the world who were on the brink of despair when they received training and a gift of animals from this wonderful organization.

If you are not acquainted with Heifer International, you will find them on the Internet at www.heifer.org.  If you have a friend or relative who has absolutely everything, consider giving an animal in their honor as their Christmas present.  The gift of a Heifer animal for an impoverished family is truly "a gift that keeps on giving."