Mark & Kylie
Week 1:
Mark: I have a blessed life, and I am grateful for this. But I do not understand why it was me that was born into such an affluent society, with great opportunities, when so many are born into a life of poverty and hardship. Perhaps my giving can help relieve some of this. Giving makes me feel good, I like to be able to help others. It is easy to think that the issues are too big and that our small contribution will not make much of a difference, so I guess I try and think of individuals that will benefit from what we give.
God has blessed us and we believe he will continue to bless us. If we continue to give with a generous heart we believe that he will enable us to continue doing this.
Kylie: There is just so much need all over the world. We are continually bombarded with stories and images of people living in appalling conditions and suffering in so many ways. I want to help. But, I often feel powerless to do anything. I feel proud to be a part of The Salvation Army and associated with the many Salvationists serving overseas who have sacrificed so much of themselves to help alleviate some of the suffering. My sacrifice is nothing when compared with theirs. Giving gives me a sense of being an important part of the global work of The Salvation Army. It makes me feel like I’m making a difference.
Kylie: In this year’s Self Denial series you’ll see stories from Nepal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Suriname and The Philippines of people whose lives have been changed by your contribution to the appeal.
Mark: You’ll see how your act of sacrificial giving, of self-denial, carries out The Army’s mission to save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity.
