Friday, May 15, 2009
Help! I'm stuck in the middle of the Ocean!!
Many people I talk to want to know specifically how much more money I need before I can leave... The answer -- 50% (wow!! We're halfway!)! Here's an easy breakdown of the monthly contributions that are still needed (or refer to the super-cool video above):
3 people giving $100/month
6 people giving $50/month
10 people giving $25/month
20 people giving $10/month
I continue to be so blessed as I new people catch on to this vision and join me in this journey for Uganda.
To God be the glory!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Why Now?
I know, I know, I'm due for another video blog update, but I'm a little camera shy, so a conventional post will have to suffice for now (I'll look under the couch cushions and find some courage and motivation for a video blog later this week!).
If I remember correctly I still needed to answer the question - Why now (as in, why am I choosing this particular time in life to move to Uganda)?
This question is definitely complex and has more than one answer, so let me try to prioritize my reasons for you:
1. God has most definitely called me to this at this time and confirmed it over and over again (just ask me if you want to know the how's)...
2. The timing is right. I'm single. There aren't car seats in the back of my car yet. I don't own a house, furniture, or even silverware for that matter...simply put I'm pretty mobile at the moment. Sure, that means I'll be quitting my job, but I've been blessed with a career that will still be in demand when I get back. All this to say, aren't these the years everyone says are the "best of life"? I have not a single reservation in giving them to God.
3. I feel the inner tug of the "something more." You know what I mean - that feeling you get when you get home from yet another day at work to get ready for another one tomorrow and that thought sneaks up on you..."Is this all there is?" I realize we're all wired differently and not everyone seeks challenge and adventure, but I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I've been doing the same thing for 10 years just because it was easy and I lacked the courage to step out in faith. I think this sentiment is one that is common to a lot of us...I've been thinking lately of how many songs I hear echo it as well:
...to name a couple. Those words resonate deeply with me:
"I don't want to spend my whole life asking, What if I had given everything? Instead of going through the motions...."
I know there are more...Do you know of more music/reflections of this sentiment in today's pop culture? It's out there and I believe it's in each of us. Maybe God hasn't called you to Africa like He did with me, but I do know that if you listen He's calling you to step out in faith and trust Him for something in your life....
If I remember correctly I still needed to answer the question - Why now (as in, why am I choosing this particular time in life to move to Uganda)?
This question is definitely complex and has more than one answer, so let me try to prioritize my reasons for you:
1. God has most definitely called me to this at this time and confirmed it over and over again (just ask me if you want to know the how's)...
2. The timing is right. I'm single. There aren't car seats in the back of my car yet. I don't own a house, furniture, or even silverware for that matter...simply put I'm pretty mobile at the moment. Sure, that means I'll be quitting my job, but I've been blessed with a career that will still be in demand when I get back. All this to say, aren't these the years everyone says are the "best of life"? I have not a single reservation in giving them to God.
3. I feel the inner tug of the "something more." You know what I mean - that feeling you get when you get home from yet another day at work to get ready for another one tomorrow and that thought sneaks up on you..."Is this all there is?" I realize we're all wired differently and not everyone seeks challenge and adventure, but I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I've been doing the same thing for 10 years just because it was easy and I lacked the courage to step out in faith. I think this sentiment is one that is common to a lot of us...I've been thinking lately of how many songs I hear echo it as well:
...to name a couple. Those words resonate deeply with me:
"I don't want to spend my whole life asking, What if I had given everything? Instead of going through the motions...."
I know there are more...Do you know of more music/reflections of this sentiment in today's pop culture? It's out there and I believe it's in each of us. Maybe God hasn't called you to Africa like He did with me, but I do know that if you listen He's calling you to step out in faith and trust Him for something in your life....
Saturday, May 2, 2009
What's it like there? Part Three...a Neighborhood
I've never wanted my blog to be something that guilts people into feeling bad for all the "starving children in Africa..." But here's something I've been thinking about. I don't know what your belief system is. Maybe you believe in a all-knowing, all-powerful God like me; maybe you believe in Karma, or Budda, or good deeds, or tradition. Whatever your beliefs or moral code, I cannot find an excuse for ignoring a responsibility so great as to protect another human being's basic rights to life. I cannot help but think that because I am so blessed, this leaves me with a greater responsibility to love those who aren't.
If I ignore the fact that I know about the thousands of orphaned kids living in Africa, I am the one who lives in a altered sense of reality. I drive my own car around paved roads, dress in nice clothes, eat three square meals a day, and indulge in entertainment at my whim. If this is how I choose to live without daily thought to those living in constant need, I am false.
So no, guilt is not my goal. But that also does not excuse us from being informed. We are Americans and no matter our socioeconomic class we are wealthier than the "most" of the world who live on less than $1 a day...we have the opportunity to use our resources to be and stay informed (how many times just today, did you "google" something?).
A 17th century theologian named Jonathan Edwards, said it like this:
"The nature of human beings is to be inactive unless influenced by some affection: love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, etc. These affections are the 'spring of action,' the things that set us moving in our lives, that move us to engage in activities."
I'm posting a video here that is, yes, a bit disturbing (a small clip of a Ugandan "neighborhood"). I hope that by becoming more informed, you will also become more caring and moved to action.
If I ignore the fact that I know about the thousands of orphaned kids living in Africa, I am the one who lives in a altered sense of reality. I drive my own car around paved roads, dress in nice clothes, eat three square meals a day, and indulge in entertainment at my whim. If this is how I choose to live without daily thought to those living in constant need, I am false.
So no, guilt is not my goal. But that also does not excuse us from being informed. We are Americans and no matter our socioeconomic class we are wealthier than the "most" of the world who live on less than $1 a day...we have the opportunity to use our resources to be and stay informed (how many times just today, did you "google" something?).
A 17th century theologian named Jonathan Edwards, said it like this:
"The nature of human beings is to be inactive unless influenced by some affection: love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, etc. These affections are the 'spring of action,' the things that set us moving in our lives, that move us to engage in activities."
I'm posting a video here that is, yes, a bit disturbing (a small clip of a Ugandan "neighborhood"). I hope that by becoming more informed, you will also become more caring and moved to action.
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