Got Goat?

Got Goat?

Yesterday was Youth Sunday at my Episcopal church. The theme for the day was the shared theme from this summer’s Bible School, "Got Goat?" The material for the summer session was a discussion of the United Nations Millennium Develop Goals. That’s a pretty tall task for children ages 6-10. But through the use of a goat and a small underdeveloped nation in Africa, the students became acquainted with the needs of suffering brothers and sisters. A goat was the vehicle for a better life style for these African village people. Possessing a goat helped eradicate hunger and poverty, and in the long term also helped provide funds for education. Through healthier meals maternal health and infant mortality also improved. The entire ongoing project addresses the goal of global partnership. The next step it to fill the corral in the parish house. No we they are not actually building a goat corral, but a symbolic corral with symbolic goats. A goat can be purchased for $20. The goat drive will run through Christmas. The money will then be turned over for the purchase of goats for families in Africa. To make this personal, my oldest grandson who recently celebrated his eighth birthday was proud to donate the first goat as a part of his birthday gifts. This is an excellent example of how complex situations can be reduced to an understanding and a meaningful and blessed project.