News & Stories

Hmong Alliance Youth Participate in 30 Hours of Famine

July 26, 2005

Youth from Hmong Alliance Church of Fresno, California, were among 300,000 teens across the U.S. and Canada to participate in 30 Hours of Famine, sponsored by World Vision (an international Christian relief and development organization). The Alliance teens were part of a mission to raise money for starving children and their families in 97 famine-ridden nations. 
     “How can I begin to explain the two-day journey we had with the Lord?” asks youth leader Khambye Vang. She prepared the young people with classes to understand and accomplish their mission and a call to some firsthand appreciation about going hungry—they must fast during the 30 hours. 
     Then the youth hit the streets. “It was time to let our community know that there are children starving and dying,” says Vang. “We were a voice for the voiceless.” 
     The teens came away from the event understanding the reality of hunger and the important role they can play in making a difference in peoples’ lives. Several volunteers learned how “not to become myself.” “When God’s light impacts you, and the truth of His power convicts you, you’re just not you anymore. You are His!” 
     The young people raised more than they hoped for through a lemonade stand, a car wash, door-to-door donations, and collected food donations. The goal was to raise $4,000—$1 for one life. God exceeded their expectations with nearly $5,000. “We saved 5,000 lives!” exclaimed Vang. “Tears fell, hearts were opened, and hands lifted in praise to God, whom I fell in love with during this event. It was a moment we did not want to end.”