(My intent here is to do a series of blogs on human suffering, each highlighting a specific sort of suffering. This may sound morbid and dreary, but I find that recognizing human suffering forms a core part of my sense of calling in the world.)

Starvation is a terrible way to die. I have been terribly ill, with my stomach in knots, feverish and sweating, dry mouth, and throbbing headache. Starvation is much, much worse.

Everyday, over half of the total deaths that day are from starvation. More than half of all deaths of children are from starvation. The starvation of children seems especially horrible to me. Imagine being born into a famine, never knowing a healthy meal, never being healthy, and dying after a short life of total misery.

Estimates are that we have the agricultural capacity to feed up to 12 billion people, but the market-based distribution system can't get the food to areas that are starving.

If there is a God, and this God is loving, imagine if 16,000 of your beloved children died every single day. It'd break your heart beyond repair.

This awareness of the world as one where so many people are starving is central to my sense of calling as an advocate of economic justice.

Peace! Charley