If you’ve lived on Planet Earth for a little while you may have noticed it’s got some problems. Although once it was pronounced ‘Very good’ we are now certain to have trouble.

Lots of the trouble is heartbreaking. I had to make a poster once about current ongoing armed conflicts; couldn’t even get through reading the Wikipedia page without bawling my eyes out. Missionaries I’ve met and friends who regularly serve on mission trips and even simple logic will tell you no human can fix it all. But each of us can do a little bit. Everyone can help someone.

We don’t have to be overwhelmed. We don’t have to feel we don’t know where to start. Just choose one thing, or one person. We can start there.

Here are four organisations working in areas that grieve my heart and in regions that my heart calls to.

PREEMPTIVE LOVE REBUILDS LIVES ON THE FRONTLINES OF CONFLICT & DISASTER

Preemptive Love reaches out to people in Syria, Iraq, and the United States with food, water, medical care, jobs, income, and hope.

www.preemptivelove.org

ONE MILLION THUMBPRINTS

One Million Thumbprints (1MT) seeks to catalyze a groundswell of people focused on overcoming the effects of war against women through storytelling, advocacy, and fundraising.

www.onemillionthumbprints.org

COMPASSION

Compassion International is the world’s leading authority in holistic child development through sponsorship. All their child development programs provide opportunities to encourage healthy development in four areas — spiritual, physical, social and economic.

www.compassion.com

GATHERING TOGETHER

GT works in countries all over the world to establish and maintain channels of assistance between people in need and people who can help.

www.gatheringtogether.org