It's a Big Big World

Our world is so amazing! The planet we live on has so many awesome things. Did you know that most of the earth is made up of water? 70% of it! So only 30% of the earth is made of land. And land that is where 7.6 Billion people live. Those billions of people live in 193 countries. Each country has a unique group of individuals. They speak different languages, eat different foods, and wear different clothes. If we put one person from each country, all in one place, it would look a lot like what Heaven will be like. How cool is that?

My daughter goes to a really cool school. It teaches languages and cultures that are found all around the world. Every month, we get to learn about a new country. I love this because it exposes my family to areas that I never knew existed. Now I will be honest and let you know that Geography is not my strongest subject. I'd be willing to bet there are many people that share my same disadvantage. This month, our school is studying a country by the name of Gabon. Guess what? I have never heard of it. I'm sorry for anyone reading this that is from Gabon. Rather than just shrug and move on, I wanted to do more for myself, and my kiddos. A friend suggested that we actually take time to pray for the people of the country we study. A novel idea. Pray for people I didn't know existed? Cool. I love it.

The idea to pray for people in places you have never been is not a new concept. Paul actually did this a ton. Specifically, he wrote to the people of Rome and told them how he prayed for them daily and longed to meet them. We can do this too!

I would love to invite you and your family to join us in this venture of exploring new countries and praying for them. Here are a few reasons why:
1. It broadens your knowledge base of geography
2. It helps with widening perspective that sees beyond the US borders and focuses outward
3. One day God may take you to one of these countries (this one may sound a little crazy, but He's known to do some crazy things)

Give it a try! All you need is a computer, an atlas, or encyclopedia (or all three). Start with Gabon or any other country you feel led to learn about. What a beautiful way to honor God's creation both in land and people.

Engage Your Kids -

Activity: Look up a Gabon or any other country. See questions below to help guide conversation
Country -
Where is it on the globe?
Is it a big country or small?
What is the climate like? (temperature, humidity)
What is the population?
What do the people eat?
What do they wear?
Where do they live (what kind of houses)?
What does a typical day in the life of a child look like?
What do they believe?
Are there practical ways you can love them? (i.e., send a letter, sponsor a child, etc.).
How can you pray for these people?

Here are some great resources for this as well:
Hardcover books

• https://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-World-Atlas/dp/1426314035/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1507849807&sr=8-3&keywords=children%27s+atlas
• https://www.amazon.com/Children-Just-Like-Me-Celebration/dp/0789402017/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507849859&sr=1-4&keywords=children+around+the+world
• https://www.amazon.com/Children-Just-Like-Me-celebration/dp/146545392X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507849859&sr=1-2&keywords=children+around+the+world

Free online resources:

• http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids-world-atlas/maps.html

Read: Romans 1:8-13

Discuss:
What did Paul pray for?
Why do you think he prayed that?

Reiterate: The world is so big. We can pray for others, even if they are far away.