Amazing show- Blood, Sweat and Take Away

David and I have recently watched this show on the BBC called "Blood, Sweat and Take Away" about the high price of cheap food such as human exploitation in third world countries. At first I wasn't sure if I could stomach the show, knowing the questionable things that are done not only to animals, but to humans. For any of you that have spent time in a third world country know what I speak of. Its seen on the streets daily. The difficult life of living as a peasant, barely able to put food on the table for your family, despite the backbreaking labor you have done. This show brings 6 British men and women to Thailand in the first episode, first to see how rice is grown and then harvested. The team was made to live like an average rice farmer, and could only pay for their food and shelter from their combined wages from working in the rice fields. On the first day of planting the rice seeds they, as a team, failed in their task of planting a small field and received only half of their wages.  They were nearly in tears that night when they realized they only had money to buy bananas because most of it went to rent. You could see in their faces and they slowly realized that the world did not live like they did. The hunger pains felt by so many. It was amazing to see their transformation. Even the prissiest of girls was willing to gut fish in order to buy dinner for the night. The show is well made and incredibly convicting, as it should be. We, as westerners, need to have reminders that the world is not as we see it. There are so many things we can do though to help. Here's a few ideas I've compiled since watching the show:

1. First I think as a believer I know that prayers can do amazing things in people's lives. Lift up a prayer tonight for the people going to bed hungry. 
2. Kiva is an amazing organization that provides micro loans to entrepreneurs overseas.
3.Compassion International- you can sponsor a child overseas- by sending in your money they can go to school, or at least have a decent meal
3.Oxfam- This organization is the one promoted by Coldplay in "making trade fair". You can find information on products you buy overseas.
4. THINK LOCAL! Visit your local farmer's market to not only help your local economy- but also you know where you food came from.
5. Still thinking local...My church Bayside Community Church Bradenton sponsors a homeless breakfast every Saturday morning so you can reach out to your local community

So...think twice before you visit your local Taco Bell or McDonald's...on where your cheap food came from :)