On the week-end of March 8-9 The Church in Aurora Youth Group will be participating in a 30 hour famine, which is sponsored by World Vision.

In 2007, youth from all over the world raised an estimated $12 million to help hungry children around the world.  Our own youth have been in partnership and commitment with World Vision in past years and are excited and expecting to be involved this year as well.

This 30 hour time span of fasting will be held at the Escape and surrounding community.  We will begin by going to breakfast together at a local venue.  The remainder of our 30 hours together will be filled with fasting, worship, reflection and many different meaningful activities to remind us of this serious world crisis and how many children are dieing each minute of starvation and related diseases.

This communication is coming to you early in order for famine participants to find sponsors.  Each sponsor is asked to donate any amount of money they wish to the participant who will be fasting.

In order for your youth to participate, it is necessary to have your permission.  As soon as we receive your child’s permission slip, they will receive a World Vision sponsorship package from us.  At that point, they can begin to sign up sponsors.  We fully expect them to go to family, both immediate and extended as well as friends, mentors and neighbors.  The LATEST DATE for a youth to join us in this effort is Feb 24^th.  It will be impossible for us to accept any youth after that date.  As you can see, a much earlier start is far more advantageous.

We are encouraging the youth to get permission slips in ASAP in order to receive their packets.  This event promises to be one of the most memorable of our Youth Group experiences and will make a lasting memory for your youth.

We will be ordering t-shirts for each participant that will be distributed at the week-end event.  The charge for each t-shirt is $10 and pre-payment will be expected at the time the permission slip is returned to us.  Please indicate the size you want at that time.

Together we can join forces and focus on God’s Kingdom as Jesus has taught us, asking us to serve others both spiritually and physically.  While participating in this week-end, we will be living with a sense that God is the ultimate Worker (with a capital "W") and yet he has chosen to involve us in kingdom work.

(please print)

Dear Parent/Legal Guardian,

Your son/daughter has shown an interest in participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine.  Participation means that your son/daughter will:

• Sign up 30 Hour Famine sponsors and collect money to help those around the world who suffer from hunger, poverty, and a lack of hope.

• Miss three main meals by fasting for 30 hours.

• Drink only water and juice during those 30 hours.

• Turn in the Famine Student Guide and money raised to his or her Famine leader during the Famine event.

Thank you.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

Fasting is a physical benefit for most people.  Exceptions are children under 12 years of age, the elderly, diabetics, those pregnant or nursing, and others who have had recent surgeries or have other specific medical problems.  Most youth will have no problems completing the 30 Hour Famine; however, modifications can be made as necessary.  If you have any health-related questions about your child’s participation in the Famine, please consult your doctor.

Note to Leaders: Although parental consent is not a requirement of the 30 Hour Famine, some organizers have found it helpful to let parents know that their kids are participating.  This form is a suggestion of what you might want to send to parents.  If you wish to use it, please feel free to photocopy it.