One of my favorite parts of the Pauline epistles are the final verses of each letter where Paul addresses his supporters by name. I love this glimpse into Paul's life, which has always made him more of a real person to me.
While I would never claim to have reached Pauline heights of service, I would like to publicly acknowledge those who have played an integral role in my finishing this January project. Without their support and care, I would have faced a much more difficult 31 days.
Mary: You were there at the beginning. And, you wore the bracelet all month. You never wavered.
My spectacular prayer team and my posse: Amy, Belinda, Crystal, Katie H., Shannon, Mary, and Kim
Tracy: Before this water project was even close to being an idea in my head, you were teaching me how ordinary people can make a big difference. Thank you for clearing a path for me to follow.
Katie D. and Susan: Thank you for getting it.
Allyson, Elizabeth, and Ronda: Best coworkers ever. I forgive you for tempting me with donuts.
Seacoast Vineyard Church and Gateway Community Church: For prayers, support, and instruction.
Mom and Dad: You taught me to listen for the Spirit and to obey. Thank you for a firm foundation. And, thanks for Friday night rice and bean meals.
Peter: I couldn't ask for a better brother. Thanks for making me laugh.
Darcy: Thanks for being so cute. Best mascot ever.
And, thanks to all of you who have sent me encouraging emails directly or via my mom and friends. Your words have strengthened me and helped keep me motivated.
But above all and in the words of Paul,
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
- Ephesians 3:20-21
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What now?
Maybe this water project didn't stir you. Maybe the problem of clean water isn't the issue that breaks your heart or makes you mad. Even so, I hope this month's project has woken up the vision within you to be part of the change that our world needs.
If so, here are other great organizations worth considering partnering with as you look to make a difference:
Compassion
A child advocacy organization through which you can sponsor a child, providing for their physical, spiritual, economic, and social needs. All with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
World Relief
With the mission of standing for the vulnerable, World Relief provides humanitarian aid and is involved in community and economic development.
Operation Christmas Child
It's so simple: a shoe box filled with gifts sent to a needy child who wouldn't otherwise get anything for Christmas. Love in action.
The Traveling Team
Sharing God's love of the world with college students and providing them with the resources they need to change that same world.
The A21 Campaign
Join the fight against human trafficking.
To Write Love on Her Arms
A nonprofit dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction.
Women for Women International
Sponsor a woman who has survived war rebuild her life by providing financial and emotional support.
beremedy
Connects those with immediate needs with those who want to give via social media.
Kiva
A microfinance organization which connects people through lending to help end poverty.
Changing the world can be as simple as shopping at a different place. For those of you who wish to add value to the money you spend, here are some sites where your purchases mean more than just an exchange of goods:
And, of course, if you want to contribute to our water project, visit: http://mycharitywater.org/waters-rising
If so, here are other great organizations worth considering partnering with as you look to make a difference:
Compassion
A child advocacy organization through which you can sponsor a child, providing for their physical, spiritual, economic, and social needs. All with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
World Relief
With the mission of standing for the vulnerable, World Relief provides humanitarian aid and is involved in community and economic development.
Operation Christmas Child
It's so simple: a shoe box filled with gifts sent to a needy child who wouldn't otherwise get anything for Christmas. Love in action.
The Traveling Team
Sharing God's love of the world with college students and providing them with the resources they need to change that same world.
The A21 Campaign
Join the fight against human trafficking.
To Write Love on Her Arms
A nonprofit dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction.
Women for Women International
Sponsor a woman who has survived war rebuild her life by providing financial and emotional support.
beremedy
Connects those with immediate needs with those who want to give via social media.
Kiva
A microfinance organization which connects people through lending to help end poverty.
Changing the world can be as simple as shopping at a different place. For those of you who wish to add value to the money you spend, here are some sites where your purchases mean more than just an exchange of goods:
Toms Shoes
For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. One for one.
For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. One for one.
WorldCrafts
A fair trade nonprofit which supports artisans around the world so that they can thus support their families.
Out of Print
Love classic literature? Love clothes? For every piece of clothing purchased, a book will be donated to a child in Africa. (My Pride and Prejudice shirt is delightful!)
A fair trade nonprofit which supports artisans around the world so that they can thus support their families.
Out of Print
Love classic literature? Love clothes? For every piece of clothing purchased, a book will be donated to a child in Africa. (My Pride and Prejudice shirt is delightful!)
And, of course, if you want to contribute to our water project, visit: http://mycharitywater.org/waters-rising
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Anger
Earlier this month I wrote a post revolving around the question of what breaks your heart. In the past few days, I've been thinking a lot about another question that forces me to look deeply into my own heart - what makes me angry? Just as the things that break our hearts reveal a lot about us and our God-given passions, so do the triggers for our anger.
Now, I am not talking about the day to day things that frustrate us like horrible drivers, long lines at the grocery store, or the ref making a bad call. I'm talking about a righteous anger that we should feel when faced with injustice, needless pain, our failings, and the hurt in this world. This is the kind of anger that David exhibited in the Psalms, Isaiah declared to his failing nation, and Jesus felt towards the money-changers.
I am learning this month that my heart breaks for the people in this world without access to clean water. But, I am angry about the lack of response from those of us who could make a difference. Bringing clean water to the world isn't an impossible goal. It's amazingly doable and so simple. The fact that we are doing precious little to achieve this goal is what maddens me.
Of course, maybe the water problem doesn't make you angry. Maybe it is orphaned children, or human trafficking, or homelessness, or AIDS victims, or some other injustice. Whatever it is, I challenge you to get mad enough about it that you do something to become part of the solution to the problem.
None of these problems are ever going to better until we decide we are going to make them better.
Now, I am not talking about the day to day things that frustrate us like horrible drivers, long lines at the grocery store, or the ref making a bad call. I'm talking about a righteous anger that we should feel when faced with injustice, needless pain, our failings, and the hurt in this world. This is the kind of anger that David exhibited in the Psalms, Isaiah declared to his failing nation, and Jesus felt towards the money-changers.
I am learning this month that my heart breaks for the people in this world without access to clean water. But, I am angry about the lack of response from those of us who could make a difference. Bringing clean water to the world isn't an impossible goal. It's amazingly doable and so simple. The fact that we are doing precious little to achieve this goal is what maddens me.
Of course, maybe the water problem doesn't make you angry. Maybe it is orphaned children, or human trafficking, or homelessness, or AIDS victims, or some other injustice. Whatever it is, I challenge you to get mad enough about it that you do something to become part of the solution to the problem.
None of these problems are ever going to better until we decide we are going to make them better.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Listen
I made a bold statement in one of my first blog posts that God told me to pursue this water project. This statement was made with a great sense of awe for a few reasons. First, God wants to use me? And, second, knowing how to hear from God has always been a part of my faith walk that I have struggled with.
I have learned and finally accepted that hearing from God is not always about hearing an audible voice. That definitely was not how I heard from Him in Atlanta when He gave me this project to do. I have discovered that God speaks to everyone in different ways. And I am learning to trust that even though I may want to hear definitive words from his mouth, He feels this is not the best thing for me.
God speaks to everyone in different ways: an audible voice, scripture, nature, dreams, visions, creative activities, journaling, "coincidences," and more. None of these are intrinsically better than the other. Just as God loves each of us as the individual that we are, He also speaks to us individually. But, knowing how to listen is not quite so unique. With that in mind, here are some questions to think about as you wait on God's voice and leading.
What distracts you?
If I call you and in the background I can hear a TV, the clicking of your fingers on a keyboard, the interruptions you make to speak to someone else, and your chewing, I know that you are not really listening to me. My words aren't getting through. The same is true for the voice of God. If I spend my time in and fill my brain with things and people that cause Him grief and ignore His word and church, He knows I am not open to listening to Him. His words aren't getting through.
Who else are you listening to?
One of the most common ways that I have heard from God is through other people. My friends have at times said exactly the words of comfort I needed to hear or have affirmed a decision I was praying on. They have quoted scripture to me that has opened up new ways of thinking or deeply challenged me. Often, they do this with no prompting from me but out of their own relying on the Spirit. I have followed God's lead on who my closest friends are and when they speak to me, I listen. On the other hand, if I fill my life with people who don't know God, He can still speak to me through them. But, it will happen much less frequently and the influence they have over me would probably block a lot of His words from getting through, especially if they are actively against my faith.
Are you actively pursuing a relationship with God?
When we are in relationship, we talk, listen, invest time, love, and care about what the other person cares about. In any relationship, if we don't do the above, the relationship is going to slowly die. The same is true with God. If I am not actively pursuing a relationship with Him, He is not going to continue speaking to me. Am I spending time in prayer or having a conversation with God? Am I blatantly doing things that hurt God's heart? Do I show a lack of love for Him by being embarrassed to talk about Him?
Do you really want to hear from God?
Seriously. I think we often talk about how much we want to hear from God but then betray by our actions that we aren't really interested in what He would say. When I listen to God, I have the potential of hearing that He wants to completely change my life, that He wants to give me a task that scares me, that He wants to use me in some way. If I'm not willing to do what He may ask of me, why should I even ask Him to speak? I'm just going to reject His words anyway.
I have learned and finally accepted that hearing from God is not always about hearing an audible voice. That definitely was not how I heard from Him in Atlanta when He gave me this project to do. I have discovered that God speaks to everyone in different ways. And I am learning to trust that even though I may want to hear definitive words from his mouth, He feels this is not the best thing for me.
God speaks to everyone in different ways: an audible voice, scripture, nature, dreams, visions, creative activities, journaling, "coincidences," and more. None of these are intrinsically better than the other. Just as God loves each of us as the individual that we are, He also speaks to us individually. But, knowing how to listen is not quite so unique. With that in mind, here are some questions to think about as you wait on God's voice and leading.
What distracts you?
If I call you and in the background I can hear a TV, the clicking of your fingers on a keyboard, the interruptions you make to speak to someone else, and your chewing, I know that you are not really listening to me. My words aren't getting through. The same is true for the voice of God. If I spend my time in and fill my brain with things and people that cause Him grief and ignore His word and church, He knows I am not open to listening to Him. His words aren't getting through.
Who else are you listening to?
One of the most common ways that I have heard from God is through other people. My friends have at times said exactly the words of comfort I needed to hear or have affirmed a decision I was praying on. They have quoted scripture to me that has opened up new ways of thinking or deeply challenged me. Often, they do this with no prompting from me but out of their own relying on the Spirit. I have followed God's lead on who my closest friends are and when they speak to me, I listen. On the other hand, if I fill my life with people who don't know God, He can still speak to me through them. But, it will happen much less frequently and the influence they have over me would probably block a lot of His words from getting through, especially if they are actively against my faith.
Are you actively pursuing a relationship with God?
When we are in relationship, we talk, listen, invest time, love, and care about what the other person cares about. In any relationship, if we don't do the above, the relationship is going to slowly die. The same is true with God. If I am not actively pursuing a relationship with Him, He is not going to continue speaking to me. Am I spending time in prayer or having a conversation with God? Am I blatantly doing things that hurt God's heart? Do I show a lack of love for Him by being embarrassed to talk about Him?
Do you really want to hear from God?
Seriously. I think we often talk about how much we want to hear from God but then betray by our actions that we aren't really interested in what He would say. When I listen to God, I have the potential of hearing that He wants to completely change my life, that He wants to give me a task that scares me, that He wants to use me in some way. If I'm not willing to do what He may ask of me, why should I even ask Him to speak? I'm just going to reject His words anyway.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Play Offense
I grew up in a football watching family. Over my thirty years, I've seen way too many games, know way too much useless info, listened to way too much commentary, and been disappointed by UGA way too many times. One thing I can remember hearing over and over again from commentators is: Defense wins games, not offense.
The other day I was reading a book review at work for Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim. According to the authors' research, statistics prove the opposite of what all those commentators have been saying: Offense wins games more often than defense does.
For many years I have played defense with my life. I think out every possible scenario and try to prepare for each one. I'm hardly ever spontaneous, and I love my routines. I make a list for each day, and I follow it. I avoid things that hurt to the degree that situations where they might occur are also avoided. I pray for easy solutions and simple answers. I dream small.
But, I have found that this type of living leaves me unsatisfied. The things my heart was breaking over weren't getting fixed. The causes I was giving to financially weren't really touching my heart, just my wallet. Each day was the same, and the skills I found within me and desires I knew in my heart had no outlet. I didn't feel peace.
I decided it was time to play offense. I heard about an after school literacy program and instead of donating money, I donated time. I decreased the amount of time I spent gaining knowledge and increased the amount of time I spent helping people. I began looking for ways that God could use me, and I prayed the terrifying prayer of surrender to whatever and where ever His will.
I'm still pretty new at this. My introvert personality still balks at talking with people and sending these posts out into the void which is the internet. I still feel a minute of fear whenever I sit down with one of the kids I read with after school because my plans for our session may not last beyond the next minute. I don't know where I'll be living, what I'll be doing, or who I'll be with in the future. But, I feel more peace. My ability to deal with the annoyances and difficulties of every day life has increased, and I'm happy.
God calls us forward. He doesn't tell us to sit at home and wait for the world to come knocking on our door. He doesn't tell us to be known for what we're against, but to be known for what we are for. He commissions us to go out in the world and make it a better place. After all, He is the ultimate player of offense - He sent His only son into our world. Jesus' whole game plan was offense, and it didn't end when He sacrificed Himself for us. He is still pursuing each one of us. And, He calls us to continue His work.
I don't regret the decision to play offense with my life. My life now has purpose and is bigger than me. I'm sure I'll slide into defense mode every once and while. But, now that I've tasted what it means to truly live, I won't be staying there long.
So, are you willing to switch from defense to offense?
(Oh and if you happen to be a member of the UGA football team, please ignore this post. Playing some defense next year would be a huge improvement!)
Note: This post is indebted to Mark Batterson's In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. I'm just passing his challenge along.
The other day I was reading a book review at work for Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim. According to the authors' research, statistics prove the opposite of what all those commentators have been saying: Offense wins games more often than defense does.
For many years I have played defense with my life. I think out every possible scenario and try to prepare for each one. I'm hardly ever spontaneous, and I love my routines. I make a list for each day, and I follow it. I avoid things that hurt to the degree that situations where they might occur are also avoided. I pray for easy solutions and simple answers. I dream small.
But, I have found that this type of living leaves me unsatisfied. The things my heart was breaking over weren't getting fixed. The causes I was giving to financially weren't really touching my heart, just my wallet. Each day was the same, and the skills I found within me and desires I knew in my heart had no outlet. I didn't feel peace.
I decided it was time to play offense. I heard about an after school literacy program and instead of donating money, I donated time. I decreased the amount of time I spent gaining knowledge and increased the amount of time I spent helping people. I began looking for ways that God could use me, and I prayed the terrifying prayer of surrender to whatever and where ever His will.
I'm still pretty new at this. My introvert personality still balks at talking with people and sending these posts out into the void which is the internet. I still feel a minute of fear whenever I sit down with one of the kids I read with after school because my plans for our session may not last beyond the next minute. I don't know where I'll be living, what I'll be doing, or who I'll be with in the future. But, I feel more peace. My ability to deal with the annoyances and difficulties of every day life has increased, and I'm happy.
God calls us forward. He doesn't tell us to sit at home and wait for the world to come knocking on our door. He doesn't tell us to be known for what we're against, but to be known for what we are for. He commissions us to go out in the world and make it a better place. After all, He is the ultimate player of offense - He sent His only son into our world. Jesus' whole game plan was offense, and it didn't end when He sacrificed Himself for us. He is still pursuing each one of us. And, He calls us to continue His work.
I don't regret the decision to play offense with my life. My life now has purpose and is bigger than me. I'm sure I'll slide into defense mode every once and while. But, now that I've tasted what it means to truly live, I won't be staying there long.
So, are you willing to switch from defense to offense?
(Oh and if you happen to be a member of the UGA football team, please ignore this post. Playing some defense next year would be a huge improvement!)
Note: This post is indebted to Mark Batterson's In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. I'm just passing his challenge along.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Water Dog
This is Darcy.
This is Darcy's garden where he gets his favorite treats: carrots!
Darcy's garden receives part of the less than 1% of the world's clean water that is readily available for direct human use.
This is Darcy's garden where he gets his favorite treats: carrots!
Darcy's garden receives part of the less than 1% of the world's clean water that is readily available for direct human use.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Obligatory Librarian Post
There's no way I could have a blog and not have a post related to books at some point! It's actually pretty impressive I've lasted until this week...
Anyway, here are the books and sites that have been influencing me in the past month.
Anything by Mark Batterson
I started reading In a Pit with A Lion on a Snowy Day right after attending Catalyst. Wild Goose Chase followed soon after, and I finished Primal during the first week of January. I feel like Batterson's books prepared me for what I'm doing now. And, I'm very thankful for the nudging my precious friend Katie received and obeyed about recommending them to me.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of my hero guides. His life and writings have always influenced me, and I started this biography in the months leading up to January. What I am doing is so small compared to what he did but I like to think it's a step in the right direction.
Like a Rock: Becoming a Person of Character by Andy Stanley
The words God gave Andy Stanley at Catalyst on appetites changed my life. I can feel this book having the power to continue that good work.
Rees Howell, Intercessor by Norman Grubb
Sandy, a great family friend, suggested I read this book after hearing about our water project. It has left me with a lot to think about in regard to prayer and listening to the Spirit.
Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
What a challenge the book of Acts is to the lives we Christians live today! I appreciated Lucado's introduction to it and valued his always helpful practical applications.
Websites:
The blog of charity:water
The Catalyst website and blog
Donald Miller's blog
Mark Batterson's blog
And here are some of the books I have lined up for late January, early February:
Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson
Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice by Mike and Danae Yankoski
Anyway, here are the books and sites that have been influencing me in the past month.
Anything by Mark Batterson
I started reading In a Pit with A Lion on a Snowy Day right after attending Catalyst. Wild Goose Chase followed soon after, and I finished Primal during the first week of January. I feel like Batterson's books prepared me for what I'm doing now. And, I'm very thankful for the nudging my precious friend Katie received and obeyed about recommending them to me.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of my hero guides. His life and writings have always influenced me, and I started this biography in the months leading up to January. What I am doing is so small compared to what he did but I like to think it's a step in the right direction.
Like a Rock: Becoming a Person of Character by Andy Stanley
The words God gave Andy Stanley at Catalyst on appetites changed my life. I can feel this book having the power to continue that good work.
Rees Howell, Intercessor by Norman Grubb
Sandy, a great family friend, suggested I read this book after hearing about our water project. It has left me with a lot to think about in regard to prayer and listening to the Spirit.
Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado
What a challenge the book of Acts is to the lives we Christians live today! I appreciated Lucado's introduction to it and valued his always helpful practical applications.
Websites:
The blog of charity:water
The Catalyst website and blog
Donald Miller's blog
Mark Batterson's blog
And here are some of the books I have lined up for late January, early February:
Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson
Zealous Love: A Practical Guide to Social Justice by Mike and Danae Yankoski
Monday, January 24, 2011
Dry Bones
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Freedom Reader's One Year Anniversary celebration at Christ Community Church. My amazing friend Tracy, who I've mentioned before in this blog, gave a rousing sermon on Ezekiel 37:1-14.
As I listened, I felt God telling me to share this part of scripture with all of you. Its words of restoring life to dry bones apply so beautifully to our water project, literally and figuratively. Remember, as you read it, that Christ came to give you and all people abundant life (John 10:10). Feel your dry bones come alive!
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”
As I listened, I felt God telling me to share this part of scripture with all of you. Its words of restoring life to dry bones apply so beautifully to our water project, literally and figuratively. Remember, as you read it, that Christ came to give you and all people abundant life (John 10:10). Feel your dry bones come alive!
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Life with Rice and Beans
I think it's probably time for another glimpse into my rice and beans life. Here are some of my favorite and/or most challenging moments from the past week...
At the start of the week, I was at risk of running out of rice cakes. So, I ventured into a grocery store. Thankfully, it wasn't as difficult as I expected it to be. Granted, I made sure to stay far away from the produce, bakery, and meat sections. I stocked up on rice cakes and got out of there as quickly as possible. Those M&Ms in the check out aisle sure were tempting though...
The water dog was running out of kibble so a trip to Petsmart became necessary. While there, I noticed that there is such a thing as rice kibble made by Science Diet, Darcy's favorite brand. I thought about buying it but when I saw its high price, I decided the water dog was already doing enough for the project and didn't need to fast as well...
For those of you who don't know, I work for our county library system. About 80% of my job involves ordering materials for our ten branches. Now, there are a lot of books published each year but we obviously can't buy everything. (Especially right now with the dismal budget we're dealing with...) I have learned to be very discerning in what I order. This week unfortunately I ran into a problem. Every single cookbook I read reviews on looked fantastic! I could feel my mouth watering as I read about recipes and looked at book covers. An order had to be made so I was forced to make a decision. Hopefully, the choices I pushed myself to make were the right ones. I fear though that this month's batch of new cookbooks will be predominately about deserts...
On Thursday I had a two and a half hour meeting at work. An hour and half of it involved a chocolate cake sitting on the table right in front of me. What a wonderful smell! I think I'll be adding chocolate cake to my list of items I will be eating on February 1st.
My amazing friend Crystal cooked me dinner this week. She has wanted to do this since the beginning of my fast, and it finally worked out with our schedules. Crystal is a vegetarian so I didn't feel guilty letting her cook for me because she's content eating rice and beans. We had a great chili made only with beans. I didn't even miss tomatoes. My favorite moment came when Crystal said, "You have to have desert!" and we started experimenting with rice cereal.
My hands down favorite moment of the week though had to be when donations towards our well passed $1000! God is on the move, and I am so excited to see what happens next.
At the start of the week, I was at risk of running out of rice cakes. So, I ventured into a grocery store. Thankfully, it wasn't as difficult as I expected it to be. Granted, I made sure to stay far away from the produce, bakery, and meat sections. I stocked up on rice cakes and got out of there as quickly as possible. Those M&Ms in the check out aisle sure were tempting though...
The water dog was running out of kibble so a trip to Petsmart became necessary. While there, I noticed that there is such a thing as rice kibble made by Science Diet, Darcy's favorite brand. I thought about buying it but when I saw its high price, I decided the water dog was already doing enough for the project and didn't need to fast as well...
For those of you who don't know, I work for our county library system. About 80% of my job involves ordering materials for our ten branches. Now, there are a lot of books published each year but we obviously can't buy everything. (Especially right now with the dismal budget we're dealing with...) I have learned to be very discerning in what I order. This week unfortunately I ran into a problem. Every single cookbook I read reviews on looked fantastic! I could feel my mouth watering as I read about recipes and looked at book covers. An order had to be made so I was forced to make a decision. Hopefully, the choices I pushed myself to make were the right ones. I fear though that this month's batch of new cookbooks will be predominately about deserts...
On Thursday I had a two and a half hour meeting at work. An hour and half of it involved a chocolate cake sitting on the table right in front of me. What a wonderful smell! I think I'll be adding chocolate cake to my list of items I will be eating on February 1st.
My amazing friend Crystal cooked me dinner this week. She has wanted to do this since the beginning of my fast, and it finally worked out with our schedules. Crystal is a vegetarian so I didn't feel guilty letting her cook for me because she's content eating rice and beans. We had a great chili made only with beans. I didn't even miss tomatoes. My favorite moment came when Crystal said, "You have to have desert!" and we started experimenting with rice cereal.
My hands down favorite moment of the week though had to be when donations towards our well passed $1000! God is on the move, and I am so excited to see what happens next.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Have Faith
When I was in graduate school, my precious friend Shannon felt led to spend six months in India serving God. She asked me to be her contact person in the U.S. while she was gone. Mostly this meant I sent emails on her behalf to her supporters and put together a monthly newsletter for her.
A few months into her stay in India, Shannon felt God telling her that six months wasn't enough time. He wanted her there a whole year. Now Shannon had only raised support for six months. This change meant that she needed to raise another $9,000 very quickly. But, being out of the country, it wasn't possible to raise the funds on her own. She asked me to lead the effort here in the States.
It did not go smoothly or easily. For the few months I had to raise the money, the first couple of them saw minimal donations coming in. I prayed; I asked other people to pray; I sent mailings; I spoke at our church; I contacted other churches. It didn't look good but Shannon and I never gave up our faith that God would raise the funds to support the task He had given her.
At what seemed like the last minute, we received our miracle. All the funds Shannon needed came in within a week and a half period. Shannon was able to stay in India the full year, and I learned an awe-inspiring lesson in what faith in God's provision looks like.
So, here we are with 49 days left in our campaign and $3631 left to raise towards our $5000 goal. Is this an insurmountable goal? Of course not. Jesus promises us that with Him all things are possible. But, will it happen? I don't know.
What I do know is that whether the money is raised or not, my faith will not flounder. A whole community may not receive clean water but so far at least 68 people will. Even if that number was only one, this project would be a success. And, I would still be praising God for His faithfulness.
Please join me in prayer that the final money towards our $5000 goal would be raised but only after first worshipping God for His great faithfulness.
A few months into her stay in India, Shannon felt God telling her that six months wasn't enough time. He wanted her there a whole year. Now Shannon had only raised support for six months. This change meant that she needed to raise another $9,000 very quickly. But, being out of the country, it wasn't possible to raise the funds on her own. She asked me to lead the effort here in the States.
It did not go smoothly or easily. For the few months I had to raise the money, the first couple of them saw minimal donations coming in. I prayed; I asked other people to pray; I sent mailings; I spoke at our church; I contacted other churches. It didn't look good but Shannon and I never gave up our faith that God would raise the funds to support the task He had given her.
At what seemed like the last minute, we received our miracle. All the funds Shannon needed came in within a week and a half period. Shannon was able to stay in India the full year, and I learned an awe-inspiring lesson in what faith in God's provision looks like.
So, here we are with 49 days left in our campaign and $3631 left to raise towards our $5000 goal. Is this an insurmountable goal? Of course not. Jesus promises us that with Him all things are possible. But, will it happen? I don't know.
What I do know is that whether the money is raised or not, my faith will not flounder. A whole community may not receive clean water but so far at least 68 people will. Even if that number was only one, this project would be a success. And, I would still be praising God for His faithfulness.
Please join me in prayer that the final money towards our $5000 goal would be raised but only after first worshipping God for His great faithfulness.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Captives Freed
Not surprisingly, as I've undergone my rice and beans fast this month, I've been thinking a lot about hunger. As I've mentioned before, questions of when am I going to eat next, what am I going to eat next, how can I make rice and beans in a different way, and the like have been common. Sometimes I feel like my time is marked by the answering of these questions... But, I've also been thinking about hunger as a lifestyle for many people.
I'm only experiencing hunger on a low level. This current fast is a choice I've made; I could end it at any time. I'm limited to rice and beans, but I have the means to purchase as much of these two types of food as I want. Plus, I'm supplementing what I'm eating with vitamins.
Physically, I'm also only experiencing hunger at its least intensive level. The headaches, for example, lasted for only two days. I am noticing a lack of energy and for a few days my memory seemed to have completely disappeared, but as I take vitamins and don't push myself so hard, I can get through the day just fine.
All this has made me think about how we seem to expect people who are chronically hungry to be able to pull themselves out of poverty. Without even considering issues of economics, race, gender, and geography, we forget all they are up against:
Lack of energy
Decreased memory and mental alertness
Health issues
Distraction (Food becomes their sole focus)
Could you function during your day with these realities?
So, how do we help people who live in hunger and poverty climb out from those prisons? Well, maybe if we start by meeting their dietary and health needs, the rest will follow. Call me naive or optimistic, but it seems to me that if a person feels better, their chances of succeeding increases. I'm not calling for handouts; I'm calling for empowerment. And, providing clean drinking water seems like a great first step.
I can't change people's geographic location or economic condition. Nor can I quickly change prejudices they are up against. But, I can help make their bodies strong, their minds quick, and their attitudes expectant. So, that is where I will start and I will pray over the rest.
Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
- John 6:35
I'm only experiencing hunger on a low level. This current fast is a choice I've made; I could end it at any time. I'm limited to rice and beans, but I have the means to purchase as much of these two types of food as I want. Plus, I'm supplementing what I'm eating with vitamins.
Physically, I'm also only experiencing hunger at its least intensive level. The headaches, for example, lasted for only two days. I am noticing a lack of energy and for a few days my memory seemed to have completely disappeared, but as I take vitamins and don't push myself so hard, I can get through the day just fine.
All this has made me think about how we seem to expect people who are chronically hungry to be able to pull themselves out of poverty. Without even considering issues of economics, race, gender, and geography, we forget all they are up against:
Lack of energy
Decreased memory and mental alertness
Health issues
Distraction (Food becomes their sole focus)
Could you function during your day with these realities?
So, how do we help people who live in hunger and poverty climb out from those prisons? Well, maybe if we start by meeting their dietary and health needs, the rest will follow. Call me naive or optimistic, but it seems to me that if a person feels better, their chances of succeeding increases. I'm not calling for handouts; I'm calling for empowerment. And, providing clean drinking water seems like a great first step.
I can't change people's geographic location or economic condition. Nor can I quickly change prejudices they are up against. But, I can help make their bodies strong, their minds quick, and their attitudes expectant. So, that is where I will start and I will pray over the rest.
Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
- John 6:35
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Going further
From the beginning of this project, it was my hope that this wouldn't be MY project. Instead, I hoped that it would become OUR project. My dream was to see my friends, family, my friends' friends, and more come together to build a well.
One of the biggest encouragements this month has thus been watching others grab onto this project and make it their own. Here are some of their stories.
B and M have committed to giving $20 every month to see another person receive clean water for 20 years. I remember speaking with B right after the 20/20 special aired, which included a segment on charity:water. B said to me "$20 for 20 years? How could I not want to keep giving to that? We can do $20!"
M has decided that she is going to give up her 2011 birthday to raise money for charity:water. Instead of getting cards, presents, and her favorite: TV on DVD sets, M will be asking her friends and family to donate the money that they would have spent on her to charity:water.
M also wears a charity:water wristband every day. Whenever clients ask her about it, she tells them all about the clean water problem in our world and lets them know what they can do to help. An appointment with M is no longer just a hair cut; it's an education in compassion.
K has decided that instead of enjoying her once a month guilt free fried chicken day or vending machine treats during the work day, she will donate the money she would have spent on those treats to charity:water. She has committed to doing this for the next year and will be giving at least $84. That's four more people who will have clean water all because of K and J's sacrifice.
A is working towards a goal of getting ten people to donate $20 each to our campaign. When she is successful, ten more people will get clean drinking water for 20 years.
T didn't know me until a few weeks ago. She doesn't even live in the same state as me. But, she found out about the water project through a mutual friend and listened to God telling her to pay attention. She has since spread the call for clean water for all people to her church in Savannah.
My forever friends K and S have consistently used their Facebook statuses to highlight our water project. They are getting the word out to their friends in Connecticut and New Hampshire.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14
One of the biggest encouragements this month has thus been watching others grab onto this project and make it their own. Here are some of their stories.
B and M have committed to giving $20 every month to see another person receive clean water for 20 years. I remember speaking with B right after the 20/20 special aired, which included a segment on charity:water. B said to me "$20 for 20 years? How could I not want to keep giving to that? We can do $20!"
M has decided that she is going to give up her 2011 birthday to raise money for charity:water. Instead of getting cards, presents, and her favorite: TV on DVD sets, M will be asking her friends and family to donate the money that they would have spent on her to charity:water.
M also wears a charity:water wristband every day. Whenever clients ask her about it, she tells them all about the clean water problem in our world and lets them know what they can do to help. An appointment with M is no longer just a hair cut; it's an education in compassion.
K has decided that instead of enjoying her once a month guilt free fried chicken day or vending machine treats during the work day, she will donate the money she would have spent on those treats to charity:water. She has committed to doing this for the next year and will be giving at least $84. That's four more people who will have clean water all because of K and J's sacrifice.
A is working towards a goal of getting ten people to donate $20 each to our campaign. When she is successful, ten more people will get clean drinking water for 20 years.
T didn't know me until a few weeks ago. She doesn't even live in the same state as me. But, she found out about the water project through a mutual friend and listened to God telling her to pay attention. She has since spread the call for clean water for all people to her church in Savannah.
My forever friends K and S have consistently used their Facebook statuses to highlight our water project. They are getting the word out to their friends in Connecticut and New Hampshire.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Water Dog
This is Darcy.
This is Darcy's mom's old cell phone.
More people in the world have cell phones than a toilet.
This is Darcy's mom's old cell phone.
More people in the world have cell phones than a toilet.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Pond Water
When I was in college, I had to take two semesters of science courses. (Yes, I'm still bitter that the Earth Science class I suffered through in high school didn't count.) I decided on biology for one of the semesters. I don't remember all that much from the class except a field trip we went on. Interestingly, about the only thing I remember from my geology class which I also took in college was again a field trip...
Anyway, our college shared its property with a seminary and next to the seminary was a pond which was rather uncreatively called the Sem Pond. One sunny day, my class took portable microscopes and went to the Sem Pond to look at its water up close.
The Sem Pond was just a normal pond like any other in the US. It sat on a beautiful college campus and had no pipes dumping waste into it. The most pollution it ever got was the annual Cold Knight Club jump in February.
But when we looked at drops of its water under the microscope, all sorts of miniscule creatures and bits of matter appeared. This seemingly innocent pond was full of things that made me cringe at the thought of drinking from it. And, I highly doubt that anyone else would have drunk from it except under the most dire of circumstances.
It makes me wonder... Why is it okay for Africans and Haitians to drink diseased, unsanitary water?
Here are some images of what they're drinking:
Anyway, our college shared its property with a seminary and next to the seminary was a pond which was rather uncreatively called the Sem Pond. One sunny day, my class took portable microscopes and went to the Sem Pond to look at its water up close.
(Credit: Tim Ellens, 2010)
The Sem Pond was just a normal pond like any other in the US. It sat on a beautiful college campus and had no pipes dumping waste into it. The most pollution it ever got was the annual Cold Knight Club jump in February.
But when we looked at drops of its water under the microscope, all sorts of miniscule creatures and bits of matter appeared. This seemingly innocent pond was full of things that made me cringe at the thought of drinking from it. And, I highly doubt that anyone else would have drunk from it except under the most dire of circumstances.
It makes me wonder... Why is it okay for Africans and Haitians to drink diseased, unsanitary water?
Here are some images of what they're drinking:
Cholera (Credit: CDC)
E. Coli (Credit: AP)
Typhoid Fever (Credit: A.D.A.M., MedlinePlus)
Hepatitis (Credit: CDC)
In the United States, we rarely drink water directly from the faucet anymore. We have our Brita filters and buy bottled water. We make sure to bring water purification products with us camping. I wonder why our concern over clean water does not go much beyond our country's borders...
Monday, January 17, 2011
Midway Inspiration
Wow. I can't believe it but January is halfway over.
I thought that at the midway point I would share with you some of the things that have been inspiring me this past month. When you're in the middle of things, it's easy to lose momentum. The goal seems far off and yet approaching too quickly. Instead of giving in to the pressure, it's best to remind yourself why you're in this anyways. So, for me and for you, here are some of the things that inspire me to keep going.
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, there is no hurt, but only more love.
- Mother Teresa
If you can't feed 100 people, just feed one.
- Mother Teresa
The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
- Isaiah 41:17-20
I thought that at the midway point I would share with you some of the things that have been inspiring me this past month. When you're in the middle of things, it's easy to lose momentum. The goal seems far off and yet approaching too quickly. Instead of giving in to the pressure, it's best to remind yourself why you're in this anyways. So, for me and for you, here are some of the things that inspire me to keep going.
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, there is no hurt, but only more love.
- Mother Teresa
If you can't feed 100 people, just feed one.
- Mother Teresa
The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
- Isaiah 41:17-20
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Haiti
This week marked the one year anniversary of the horrific earthquake in Haiti. During the past year, millions of people stepped forward to donate, build, pray, and do whatever else they could to help this broken nation.
I want to take the anniversary of this tragedy to demonstrate, through charity:water's efforts in Haiti, what you are capable of doing by opening your heart up to people in need.
Here is the video that charity:water created at the beginning of their Unshaken campaign for Haiti in March 2010:
Nine months later:
More than 1 million dollars has been raised
10 wells have been built
More than 30,000 people now have access to clean water
All of this was accomplished by people like you!
In a previous post, I wrote about the value your money has. As the above campaign proves, your money has the power to give hope and strength to struggling people. You can build wells. You can bring life. All it takes is you opening up your heart.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 9:36
To learn more about charity:water's efforts in Haiti, visit:
Haiti: One Year Later
Unshaken
I want to take the anniversary of this tragedy to demonstrate, through charity:water's efforts in Haiti, what you are capable of doing by opening your heart up to people in need.
Here is the video that charity:water created at the beginning of their Unshaken campaign for Haiti in March 2010:
Nine months later:
More than 1 million dollars has been raised
10 wells have been built
More than 30,000 people now have access to clean water
All of this was accomplished by people like you!
In a previous post, I wrote about the value your money has. As the above campaign proves, your money has the power to give hope and strength to struggling people. You can build wells. You can bring life. All it takes is you opening up your heart.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
- Matthew 9:36
To learn more about charity:water's efforts in Haiti, visit:
Haiti: One Year Later
Unshaken
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Overwhelmed
A lot of people who I tell about our January project and my heart for clean water ask me if I'm overwhelmed by it all. I can see why they'd ask this: The problem is big. Rice and beans aren't the most exciting month long diet. $5000 is a lot of money. Writing a blog post a day is a lot of work. And, Darcy's new celebrity ego is borderline out of control.
I never really know how to respond to this question though. Of course, I'm overwhelmed. But, I've never felt during this month like that isn't a good thing. The word has a negative connotation that isn't relevant to my situation but yet it does apply.
So, I've found myself answering that yes, I'm overwhelmed but it's a good thing! Of course, that response causes blank stares so maybe I need to explain myself a little more clearly. There are three ways I'm experiencing being overwhelmed as a good thing.
First, I feel fully alive. As I pray and think during this month, my brain is bombarded with all sorts of ideas, plans, and hopes which I know are from the Holy Spirit. My brain is full and moving fast. But, instead of giving me a headache or making me feel out of control, it is incredibly energizing. I know that I am doing what God wants, and He is filling my thoughts with ways I can better obey Him. My brain is overwhelmed but it is also energized and excited.
Second, we usually associate being overwhelmed with having too much of a negative thing in our lives. For example, too much pain, too much debt, too much stress, or too much hurt to deal with. But, what about when the thing overwhelming us is a positive thing? Something we would always want more of. For example, too much love, too much joy, or too much excitement. During this month, I am reaching levels of joy and contentment that I have only ever reached sporadically during my life and never for more than a few days at a time. Yes, these emotions are overwhelming but would I want them to end? Of course not.
Third, yes, I do have a lot going on. Living out this project while also trying to do my job and be a good friend, daughter, sister, coworker, church member, and random stranger is hard. It is tiring and makes for very busy days. But, it also makes my life very full. And, it isn't the kind of fullness I remember feeling during college when I was overwhelmed with my social and educational life and trying to merge the two. This fullness is from a sense of purpose. I am living right now with a conviction that I am doing God's will. Yes, it is overwhelming but it is also the best feeling ever. My life is full and has meaning. That can never be a bad thing.
I think too often we strive for lives that are calm and peaceful all the time. But, I have been learning that there is such a thing as holy stress and holy busyness. I pray we won't accept the lie that the goal of our life should be easiness and meaningless simplicity.
Take a risk; be overwhelmed. Or, if you still can't accept the word: be energized, consumed, and fully alive. See what God can do.
For a picture of what I think holy overwhelmedness looks like:
I never really know how to respond to this question though. Of course, I'm overwhelmed. But, I've never felt during this month like that isn't a good thing. The word has a negative connotation that isn't relevant to my situation but yet it does apply.
So, I've found myself answering that yes, I'm overwhelmed but it's a good thing! Of course, that response causes blank stares so maybe I need to explain myself a little more clearly. There are three ways I'm experiencing being overwhelmed as a good thing.
First, I feel fully alive. As I pray and think during this month, my brain is bombarded with all sorts of ideas, plans, and hopes which I know are from the Holy Spirit. My brain is full and moving fast. But, instead of giving me a headache or making me feel out of control, it is incredibly energizing. I know that I am doing what God wants, and He is filling my thoughts with ways I can better obey Him. My brain is overwhelmed but it is also energized and excited.
Second, we usually associate being overwhelmed with having too much of a negative thing in our lives. For example, too much pain, too much debt, too much stress, or too much hurt to deal with. But, what about when the thing overwhelming us is a positive thing? Something we would always want more of. For example, too much love, too much joy, or too much excitement. During this month, I am reaching levels of joy and contentment that I have only ever reached sporadically during my life and never for more than a few days at a time. Yes, these emotions are overwhelming but would I want them to end? Of course not.
Third, yes, I do have a lot going on. Living out this project while also trying to do my job and be a good friend, daughter, sister, coworker, church member, and random stranger is hard. It is tiring and makes for very busy days. But, it also makes my life very full. And, it isn't the kind of fullness I remember feeling during college when I was overwhelmed with my social and educational life and trying to merge the two. This fullness is from a sense of purpose. I am living right now with a conviction that I am doing God's will. Yes, it is overwhelming but it is also the best feeling ever. My life is full and has meaning. That can never be a bad thing.
I think too often we strive for lives that are calm and peaceful all the time. But, I have been learning that there is such a thing as holy stress and holy busyness. I pray we won't accept the lie that the goal of our life should be easiness and meaningless simplicity.
Take a risk; be overwhelmed. Or, if you still can't accept the word: be energized, consumed, and fully alive. See what God can do.
For a picture of what I think holy overwhelmedness looks like:
Friday, January 14, 2011
$ + Meaning = Value
I was reading an article the other day about how pennies and nickels are becoming less and less practical. It actually is more expensive for the US mint to make a penny or nickel than for us to use one: 1.79 cents for a penny and 9.22 cents for a nickel.
What exactly is your money worth?
When it comes to money, the value printed on our currency does not really convey what its true value is. For example, if I am struggling to make ends meet, a $1 bill is worth a lot more to me than to someone who has a high paying job and no debt. And, if I'm spending my money to buy a beloved family member a gift, the dollar price on that gift does not adequately convey the value that I have added to the item because of who I am giving it to. A $1 bill isn't always worth just $1.
So, what does $20 mean to you?
At its lowest level, $20 is to me:
Not even half of my phone bill, cable/internet bill, or electric bill
About two and a half bags of dog food for Darcy
Four times I meet my friends for coffee and only buy one drink
Less than what I'll need to buy a hardcover book
But what if we take that same $20 and give it more value by using it for something much more important that my wireless internet, overpriced coffee, or another book that I should have just gotten from the library?
$20 can give one person clean water for 20 years. Think of how much value that $20 now has. An adult or child no longer has to walk miles every day to access clean water. The threat of violence in that individual's life has now decreased because they are not spending so much time on the road. A child can now consistently attend school. Another child is no longer at as high a risk for illness. An adult can focus on working to raise money to support their family rather than worry about how they are going to provide clean water for them.
That's an awful lot of value added to one $20 bill. Does your money have any value?
What exactly is your money worth?
When it comes to money, the value printed on our currency does not really convey what its true value is. For example, if I am struggling to make ends meet, a $1 bill is worth a lot more to me than to someone who has a high paying job and no debt. And, if I'm spending my money to buy a beloved family member a gift, the dollar price on that gift does not adequately convey the value that I have added to the item because of who I am giving it to. A $1 bill isn't always worth just $1.
So, what does $20 mean to you?
At its lowest level, $20 is to me:
Not even half of my phone bill, cable/internet bill, or electric bill
About two and a half bags of dog food for Darcy
Four times I meet my friends for coffee and only buy one drink
Less than what I'll need to buy a hardcover book
But what if we take that same $20 and give it more value by using it for something much more important that my wireless internet, overpriced coffee, or another book that I should have just gotten from the library?
$20 can give one person clean water for 20 years. Think of how much value that $20 now has. An adult or child no longer has to walk miles every day to access clean water. The threat of violence in that individual's life has now decreased because they are not spending so much time on the road. A child can now consistently attend school. Another child is no longer at as high a risk for illness. An adult can focus on working to raise money to support their family rather than worry about how they are going to provide clean water for them.
That's an awful lot of value added to one $20 bill. Does your money have any value?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Dog Park Pond
By now you've all see pictures of the most philanthropic dog in the world, Darcy. Just in case you need to be reminded:
Darcy is a very active dog. Definitely more so than I can ever keep up with. When he was a puppy, his favorite thing was to go to the dog park and run around like a maniac for hours.
It's been years though since Darcy has gone to the dog park. Unfortunately, a few years ago a dog died from drinking contaminated water from the pond at the park and now I won't risk taking Darcy there. He isn't just called the water dog because of his dedication to the clean water cause after all.
In the United States when a dog dies from diseased water at a dog park, we shut the whole park down. We bring in a team to decontaminate the whole park. And then we send out press releases informing the community that the park is now safe and encourage them to return. Of course, there are some people, like me, who never will because the risk seems too high. (How exactly do you decontaminate an entire dog park and keep it safe anyway?)
Now I love dogs. There can't possibly be any question about that. But, don't you think there's something wrong when we're more concerned about the cleanliness of the pond at our dog park than the water our fellow human beings drink?
Darcy deserves clean water, and it is my responsibility to provide him with it. Maybe it is also part of my responsibility to help my brothers and sisters in other countries have the same. After all, it is only through God's mercy that I was born in Connecticut, not Uganda.
Darcy is a very active dog. Definitely more so than I can ever keep up with. When he was a puppy, his favorite thing was to go to the dog park and run around like a maniac for hours.
It's been years though since Darcy has gone to the dog park. Unfortunately, a few years ago a dog died from drinking contaminated water from the pond at the park and now I won't risk taking Darcy there. He isn't just called the water dog because of his dedication to the clean water cause after all.
In the United States when a dog dies from diseased water at a dog park, we shut the whole park down. We bring in a team to decontaminate the whole park. And then we send out press releases informing the community that the park is now safe and encourage them to return. Of course, there are some people, like me, who never will because the risk seems too high. (How exactly do you decontaminate an entire dog park and keep it safe anyway?)
Now I love dogs. There can't possibly be any question about that. But, don't you think there's something wrong when we're more concerned about the cleanliness of the pond at our dog park than the water our fellow human beings drink?
Darcy deserves clean water, and it is my responsibility to provide him with it. Maybe it is also part of my responsibility to help my brothers and sisters in other countries have the same. After all, it is only through God's mercy that I was born in Connecticut, not Uganda.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Water Dog
This is Darcy.
This Darcy getting a bath.
Darcy's bathtub holds approximately 151 L of water.
Someone living in a slum may get only 30 L a day for all their water needs.
This Darcy getting a bath.
Darcy's bathtub holds approximately 151 L of water.
Someone living in a slum may get only 30 L a day for all their water needs.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
What's your God idea?
So, we all have good ideas, right? They can be about anything, happen at any time, and always cause interesting dinner conversations.
Good ideas are things like:
Maybe I should turn one side of my two car garage into a workout area
Maybe I should take my dog to dog school for the third time (Sorry, Darcy!)
But what about the ideas we have which are actually God ideas? Have you ever had one of those ideas that won't leave you alone? It comes across your mind one day, and all of a sudden, everywhere you go, things keep happening that relate to it. Every conversation seems to apply in some way. You start running into people who know something about some aspect of the idea. You're visiting a random blog on the internet, and your heart perks up at something the author wrote which applies to your idea. Sermons at church keep speaking to your idea. Or, the idea keeps coming back into your mind every time you pray.
God ideas are things like:
Starting an after school literacy program for at risk kids
Running a marathon to raise money for an important cause
Asking Oprah to use her O to raise money for clean water
The question isn't if you are going to get God ideas. It is what you are going to do once you get them.
To read two more eloquent and detailed descriptions of good vs. God ideas, please visit:
One God Idea by Mark Batterson
Good Idea or God Idea? by Scott Greene
Good ideas are things like:
Maybe I should turn one side of my two car garage into a workout area
Maybe I should take my dog to dog school for the third time (Sorry, Darcy!)
But what about the ideas we have which are actually God ideas? Have you ever had one of those ideas that won't leave you alone? It comes across your mind one day, and all of a sudden, everywhere you go, things keep happening that relate to it. Every conversation seems to apply in some way. You start running into people who know something about some aspect of the idea. You're visiting a random blog on the internet, and your heart perks up at something the author wrote which applies to your idea. Sermons at church keep speaking to your idea. Or, the idea keeps coming back into your mind every time you pray.
God ideas are things like:
Starting an after school literacy program for at risk kids
Running a marathon to raise money for an important cause
Asking Oprah to use her O to raise money for clean water
The question isn't if you are going to get God ideas. It is what you are going to do once you get them.
To read two more eloquent and detailed descriptions of good vs. God ideas, please visit:
One God Idea by Mark Batterson
Good Idea or God Idea? by Scott Greene
Monday, January 10, 2011
Leave a legacy
Recently I heard a talk given by Louie Giglio in which he discussed how each of us preach our own funeral service. My life is the sermon given at the service.
Thinking about these words made me stop and consider what the legacy of my life will be. How do I want to be remembered? How do you? If you don't have any idea of how to answer this question, do you really know what you're living for?
Maybe you are living for your job and the money it provides you with. Being able to buy what you want, when you want it, drives you. Will your legacy be to leave wealth and/or possessions to your children or friends?
Maybe you are living for happiness. As long as you are happy, no price is too high and nothing can slow you down. Will your legacy be friends with happy memories of late nights and crazy days with you?
Maybe you are living for safety and being comfortable. You don't adventure too far from the town you live in, maybe not even the couch you sit on. Anything that has even the potential of being dangerous is better avoided. Will your legacy be one town that knows your name?
None of these are wrong in and of themselves. But, don't you think you might be selling yourself short? Could you possibly be capable of so much more?
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
- Proverbs 29:18
Thinking about these words made me stop and consider what the legacy of my life will be. How do I want to be remembered? How do you? If you don't have any idea of how to answer this question, do you really know what you're living for?
Maybe you are living for your job and the money it provides you with. Being able to buy what you want, when you want it, drives you. Will your legacy be to leave wealth and/or possessions to your children or friends?
Maybe you are living for happiness. As long as you are happy, no price is too high and nothing can slow you down. Will your legacy be friends with happy memories of late nights and crazy days with you?
Maybe you are living for safety and being comfortable. You don't adventure too far from the town you live in, maybe not even the couch you sit on. Anything that has even the potential of being dangerous is better avoided. Will your legacy be one town that knows your name?
None of these are wrong in and of themselves. But, don't you think you might be selling yourself short? Could you possibly be capable of so much more?
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
- Proverbs 29:18
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Food Update
So, it's been a week and I figured it was probably time to share how I am doing with my rice and beans fast.
Breakfast is the hardest. I'm not much of a breakfast eater to begin with so finding something that I was able to eat at 5:30 AM which didn't nauseate me was pretty tough. After some prayer, God gave me the idea of rice cakes. So far, so good! And, thankfully there are plenty of varieties of rice cakes so I should be able to last the whole month having them for breakfast each day. This does mean I'll need to venture into a grocery store next week but I'm actually looking forward to the challenge.
Dinner has become a fun experiment, combining items and spices. And, so far, everything has been edible! I'm very thankful that there are so many varieties of rice and beans.
I've been really surprised at how easily I've given up drinking milk. For those of you who don't know me, I am a huge milk drinker. Milk is to me what coffee or soda is to other people. Thankfully, my body seems to be handling the lack of it just fine.
Other than the first two days when I had really bad headaches, I've been feeling fine. My energy level has been down but I'm not sure if that is because of the fast or because this was my first week back at work after vacation.
I am hungry all the time though. I never feel like I'm full, and I'm always thinking of what I can eat next. It's been a really good lesson for me to see how much time I'm currently devoting to thinking about food, preparing food, wanting food, and eating food. Yesterday I was reading Matthew 6:25-27 and was reminded of how God reigns over this fast I am in. Hopefully, in this new week, I'll spend less time in thought about food and more time in service.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Despite some of the difficulties I mentioned above, I refuse to complain. I may be restricted to rice and beans but I have the means to have as much of those two things as I want. And, I, of course, have all the clean water I could want.
But more important than all of the above... 21 people now have clean water because of your donations! My restricted diet is a small price to pay for providing water to many more. I can't wait to see what happens next week.
(Thanks to Mom, Amy, Kim, and Allyson for cooking for me and/or providing recipes!)
Breakfast is the hardest. I'm not much of a breakfast eater to begin with so finding something that I was able to eat at 5:30 AM which didn't nauseate me was pretty tough. After some prayer, God gave me the idea of rice cakes. So far, so good! And, thankfully there are plenty of varieties of rice cakes so I should be able to last the whole month having them for breakfast each day. This does mean I'll need to venture into a grocery store next week but I'm actually looking forward to the challenge.
Dinner has become a fun experiment, combining items and spices. And, so far, everything has been edible! I'm very thankful that there are so many varieties of rice and beans.
I've been really surprised at how easily I've given up drinking milk. For those of you who don't know me, I am a huge milk drinker. Milk is to me what coffee or soda is to other people. Thankfully, my body seems to be handling the lack of it just fine.
Other than the first two days when I had really bad headaches, I've been feeling fine. My energy level has been down but I'm not sure if that is because of the fast or because this was my first week back at work after vacation.
I am hungry all the time though. I never feel like I'm full, and I'm always thinking of what I can eat next. It's been a really good lesson for me to see how much time I'm currently devoting to thinking about food, preparing food, wanting food, and eating food. Yesterday I was reading Matthew 6:25-27 and was reminded of how God reigns over this fast I am in. Hopefully, in this new week, I'll spend less time in thought about food and more time in service.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Despite some of the difficulties I mentioned above, I refuse to complain. I may be restricted to rice and beans but I have the means to have as much of those two things as I want. And, I, of course, have all the clean water I could want.
But more important than all of the above... 21 people now have clean water because of your donations! My restricted diet is a small price to pay for providing water to many more. I can't wait to see what happens next week.
(Thanks to Mom, Amy, Kim, and Allyson for cooking for me and/or providing recipes!)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A child shall lead them
This project began in large part because of the story of a little girl named Riley who challenged me into action. Now I'd like to challenge you with the story of another child, Bridger, who had a big idea and even gave up his Christmas to make it a reality.
I'm still young, and my generation is still young. While I'm incredibly excited about these kids from the generation after mine who are planning to change the world, I'm not ready to give up on my own generation. I refuse to believe that it's too late for us to change the world.
For more information on Bridger, visit All he wants for Christmas is water.
I'm still young, and my generation is still young. While I'm incredibly excited about these kids from the generation after mine who are planning to change the world, I'm not ready to give up on my own generation. I refuse to believe that it's too late for us to change the world.
For more information on Bridger, visit All he wants for Christmas is water.
Friday, January 7, 2011
What breaks your heart?
I'm definitely someone who tries to avoid negative, painful things in my life. This means I rarely watch the news. Somehow it is so much easier to deal with in word form. I rarely watch sad movies or message movies. (Yes, this does mean that I have no chance in Oscar pools anymore.) And, I never read the books Oprah recommends.
But lately I keep getting challenged to take a long hard look at what breaks my heart.
The more I read and hear, the more I've begun to think that asking what causes my heart to ache doesn't necessarily have to be a painful question to answer or a question I'd rather to avoid. What if we were able to redeem the question? Perhaps the things that break our hearts are also the things that cause the greatest passion within us, the things that lead us to action.
My precious friend Tracy is heartbroken by the literacy problem among disadvantaged children in our county. She believes that literacy is one of the most important steps towards being successful in life, and it destroys her to think that there are children who don't get this chance. Now, she could have felt the pain that comes with knowing there are children like this in our nation and pushed it down because who really wants to dwell in thoughts about kids who can't read, live in poverty, and have very little hope of a successful future? Instead, she embraced this pain and decided to use it. Tracy has created a nonprofit organization which is actively involved in the fight to make sure all children, no matter their gender, race, or economic status, have the chance at a successful future through their ability to read. Now, one of Tracy's greatest pains has become one of her greatest joys. You can't look into the face of one of her Freedom Readers and not think that embracing this pain wasn't one of the best things Tracy ever did.
So, what breaks your heart? And, what are you going to do with the passion it has awakened within you? Asking these questions will change your life, just like it has Tracy's and mine. But, I promise you it will be worth it.
For more information on Freedom Readers, visit: http://www.freedomreaders.org/
For more information on Freedom Readers, visit: http://www.freedomreaders.org/
Thursday, January 6, 2011
My Medicine Cabinent
As my Southern coworkers often like to remind me, I'm not from around here. Usually, this comment comes because I've said something really straight forward or, to their ears, harsh. In many ways, this just proves I'm my father's daughter. So, when I told my dad that I was doing this project and his first response was to tell me I'd be stupid not to see a doctor before I started, I didn't think anything of it. Some of my Southern friends, on the other hand, probably would have been quite upset... Anyway, I'd already planned a doctor's appointment so Dad's comment made me laugh at our similarities. (Love you, Dad!)
As of the start of January, I'm now on quite the vitamin regimen:
A multivitamin with Iron
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Zinc
Calcium
B Complex
Vitamin E
When my doctor gave me this list of supplements, I felt a twinge in my heart. I'm only living a rice and bean lifestyle for a month, but there are real people who live this way everyday. Vitamins aren't even close to being a part of their reality.
But, my heart didn't break until the end of our conversation when my doctor said: Oh and make sure you drink plenty of water.
As of the start of January, I'm now on quite the vitamin regimen:
A multivitamin with Iron
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Zinc
Calcium
B Complex
Vitamin E
When my doctor gave me this list of supplements, I felt a twinge in my heart. I'm only living a rice and bean lifestyle for a month, but there are real people who live this way everyday. Vitamins aren't even close to being a part of their reality.
But, my heart didn't break until the end of our conversation when my doctor said: Oh and make sure you drink plenty of water.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Water Dog
This is Darcy.
This is Darcy drinking water.
Darcy has cleaner water than nearly 1 billion people in the world.
This is Darcy drinking water.
Darcy has cleaner water than nearly 1 billion people in the world.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Where does the money go?
My goal for the month of January is two fold. I want to generate awareness about the clean water situation in our world, and I want to offer a practical response to that knowledge.
I understand though that donating to an unknown charity can be stressful. So, I wanted to take some time to tell you a little about how charity:water works.
When charity:water was started, its founders made a promise that 100% of all donations made would go to clean water projects. Once the $5000 is raised to fund a new well, charity:water will provide all donors to that particular well information on how they can track the well's progress through Google Earth. The average well project takes about 12-18 months to complete. So, if you donate to this particular project and we reach our $5000 goal, expect updates from charity:water in the future on how your well is going.
So, how does charity:water, the organization, function? All funds used for operating costs, staff salaries, etc. are raised independently of the money donated for water projects.
There is, of course, a lot more information available on how all of this works. To learn more, visit charity:water - How the 100% works. And, if you would like to see charity:water's financial reports, visit charity:water financials
I understand though that donating to an unknown charity can be stressful. So, I wanted to take some time to tell you a little about how charity:water works.
When charity:water was started, its founders made a promise that 100% of all donations made would go to clean water projects. Once the $5000 is raised to fund a new well, charity:water will provide all donors to that particular well information on how they can track the well's progress through Google Earth. The average well project takes about 12-18 months to complete. So, if you donate to this particular project and we reach our $5000 goal, expect updates from charity:water in the future on how your well is going.
So, how does charity:water, the organization, function? All funds used for operating costs, staff salaries, etc. are raised independently of the money donated for water projects.
There is, of course, a lot more information available on how all of this works. To learn more, visit charity:water - How the 100% works. And, if you would like to see charity:water's financial reports, visit charity:water financials
Monday, January 3, 2011
Face the facts
Almost a billion people in the world don't have access to clean water. 1 in 8 people.
80% of diseases are caused by unclean water and basic sanitation. That's more deaths than those caused by any form of violence, including war.
90% of the 42,000 deaths caused by unclean water occurring each week are to children 5 years old and younger. Many of these could be prevented.
10% of diseases could be prevented by improving the water supply and sanitation.
Clean water could reduce water related deaths by 21%.
Sanitation could reduce water related deaths by 37.5%.
Handwashing could reduce water related deaths by 45%.
$20 gives one person clean water for 20 years.
$5000 will build a well for an entire community.
Source:
charity:water - why water?
80% of diseases are caused by unclean water and basic sanitation. That's more deaths than those caused by any form of violence, including war.
90% of the 42,000 deaths caused by unclean water occurring each week are to children 5 years old and younger. Many of these could be prevented.
10% of diseases could be prevented by improving the water supply and sanitation.
Clean water could reduce water related deaths by 21%.
Sanitation could reduce water related deaths by 37.5%.
Handwashing could reduce water related deaths by 45%.
$20 gives one person clean water for 20 years.
$5000 will build a well for an entire community.
Source:
charity:water - why water?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Why water?
You might be wondering... Of all the causes Claire could grab ahold of, why water?
It's a good question. I don't have any deep connection to water. I'm not much of a swimmer. I prefer milk over water as my beverage of choice. I'm a fan of sunshine, not rainstorms.
The short answer is God told me to do this.
The longer answer is God has been leading me to this cause for a while now.
Over the course of my life if I narrow my volunteer and charitable inclinations down to just a few words, they would be literacy and children. I became a librarian because I believe that the achievement of literacy can change a person's life for the better and provide all the opportunities they need to succeed. Not being much of a teacher, librarianship seemed the best way I could help this cause. I have also been drawn to children's issues, and most of the volunteer work I have ever done has in some way involved kids. I believe every adult is obligated to do whatever they can to protect and encourage our most vulnerable.
So, how does this connect to water?
The American Library Association posits that to have information literacy, "a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."I would argue that any fully functioning adult requires a sort of Life Literacy. This would involve knowing how to communicate, knowing how to find the information or help needed, and using what they know or have discovered to live. This would include seeing the problems around them, paying attention to the ache in their heart over them, and doing something about it. Maybe you don't know much about the unclean water problem in our world. Think about whether you want to know more and whether you want to do something about it.
When a community doesn't have access to clean water, children often have to walk miles to attain clean water for their families. This keeps them out of school and makes them vulnerable to assault along the the miles back and forth from the water source. 80% of diseases are caused by unclean water and a lack of sanitation. Children are often victims of these diseases. Communities without clean water offer little in terms of a future for their children. The unclean water issue of our world is a childrens' issue. Are you content with the future we are allowing to occur?
It's a good question. I don't have any deep connection to water. I'm not much of a swimmer. I prefer milk over water as my beverage of choice. I'm a fan of sunshine, not rainstorms.
The short answer is God told me to do this.
The longer answer is God has been leading me to this cause for a while now.
Over the course of my life if I narrow my volunteer and charitable inclinations down to just a few words, they would be literacy and children. I became a librarian because I believe that the achievement of literacy can change a person's life for the better and provide all the opportunities they need to succeed. Not being much of a teacher, librarianship seemed the best way I could help this cause. I have also been drawn to children's issues, and most of the volunteer work I have ever done has in some way involved kids. I believe every adult is obligated to do whatever they can to protect and encourage our most vulnerable.
So, how does this connect to water?
The American Library Association posits that to have information literacy, "a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information."I would argue that any fully functioning adult requires a sort of Life Literacy. This would involve knowing how to communicate, knowing how to find the information or help needed, and using what they know or have discovered to live. This would include seeing the problems around them, paying attention to the ache in their heart over them, and doing something about it. Maybe you don't know much about the unclean water problem in our world. Think about whether you want to know more and whether you want to do something about it.
When a community doesn't have access to clean water, children often have to walk miles to attain clean water for their families. This keeps them out of school and makes them vulnerable to assault along the the miles back and forth from the water source. 80% of diseases are caused by unclean water and a lack of sanitation. Children are often victims of these diseases. Communities without clean water offer little in terms of a future for their children. The unclean water issue of our world is a childrens' issue. Are you content with the future we are allowing to occur?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
A new beginning...
Welcome!
If you're reading this post, you've somehow found your way to this blog. I believe this wasn't an accident. I believe for whatever reason, God wanted to put the issue of providing clean water to the world on your heart. I encourage you to listen to His voice whispering to you about this problem and see what He has to tell you about it.
For the next month, I will be eating only rice and beans in hopes of raising $5000 which will make possible the building of a well for a community that up to this point has not had access to clean water. (For more information on this, please click on The Project at the top of the site.)
Via this blog, I hope to challenge you with facts about the water situation in the world and encourage you about how you can make a difference.
For now, here quite simply is how you can help:
1. Give
Click on http://mycharitywater.org/waters-rising to donate directly to charity:water.
2. Pray
Please pray for the water situation in our world. Pray that change would come.
Please pray for me during the next month as I work to fulfill the vision God has
given me.
3. Talk
Tell your world about about how many communities do not have clean water.
Make my project your own and invite your friends to give to our cause.
If you're reading this post, you've somehow found your way to this blog. I believe this wasn't an accident. I believe for whatever reason, God wanted to put the issue of providing clean water to the world on your heart. I encourage you to listen to His voice whispering to you about this problem and see what He has to tell you about it.
For the next month, I will be eating only rice and beans in hopes of raising $5000 which will make possible the building of a well for a community that up to this point has not had access to clean water. (For more information on this, please click on The Project at the top of the site.)
Via this blog, I hope to challenge you with facts about the water situation in the world and encourage you about how you can make a difference.
For now, here quite simply is how you can help:
1. Give
Click on http://mycharitywater.org/waters-rising to donate directly to charity:water.
2. Pray
Please pray for the water situation in our world. Pray that change would come.
Please pray for me during the next month as I work to fulfill the vision God has
given me.
3. Talk
Tell your world about about how many communities do not have clean water.
Make my project your own and invite your friends to give to our cause.
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