Poverty Challenge Day Two

The Poverty Challenge is off to a great start! Check out Rev. Drew Ludwig’s blog. Drew is the Pastor of Lafayette Presbyterian Church and is participating in the Poverty Challenge. He has chosen to not use his car or public transportation today and is blogging his experience with the Poverty Challenge:

No Cell phone, no driving. In order to make a little more room to eat, I will also forgo internet at home, and post from church.

Leftovers from last night’s dinner were breakfast today. That, plus my morning cup of coffee takes me to about $1.50. I started to look in the fridge for more after my breakfast, but then I remembered that I have to eat the rest of the day, so I should budget myself a little bit more carefully.

After I started riding my bike to the church, I remembered that I left my lunch at home. That means that I will have to ride back home or find another way to eat.

Another small adjustment. I plan on visiting my friend John in the hospital today. He would love a diet coke or some non-hospital coffee and/or a newspaper. But buying him these things means less for me. I haven’t decided what to do yet. I want to be a good guy, but I don’t want to go without, either.

Which brings up another dilemma. Because I am not driving, somebody else will have to give our kids a ride home from youth group tonight. Living without affluence means that I have to serve in other ways, and it means other people do the things I normally would.

Of my $7.56 that I started with, I have $6.06 remaining [This number will be updated after lunch].

One thing I find particularly interesting is Drew’s account of not being able to bring his friend a soda or coffee because that would mean less for him. Sometimes even being able to give someone a gift -even something as small as a soda or coffee - is a privilege that some don’t have.