The Gift Of Water

Well, I have been prompted by the Holy Spirit to act...and act I will. Yesterday, Adam and I loaded Avery up in the car and drove over to a local park. We had never been to this park, but had driven by on numerous occasions and noticed what we thought was a small water park of sorts. We thought it would be fun to check it out and possibly allow Avery a chance to enjoy some relief from the heat and humidity. The water park was simply a couple of different water features that sprayed water out from the ground, but it was pleasant and Avery enjoyed herself.

While I was chasing her around, making sure she didn't trip or bang her head on any of the numerous rocks that were located close to the "sprinklers", God reminded me of something he has been reminding me of a lot lately-- We are so darn blessed to have all this clean water at our disposable EVERY single day. When I shower, or wash my family's clothes, or brush my teeth, or cook, or take my daughter to a water park I have access to clean water. This gift goes unnoticed and unappreciated by me on most days. Such a gift is unfathomable to so many on almost every day. To get even a gallon of water means a 10 mile walk for most living in Africa. Can you imagine? I WASTE a gallon of water a day by just leaving my faucet on while brushing my teeth.

So I came home from the water park determined to "do" something- make some type of difference. Often, I use the enormity of the need and pain in this world as an excuse to keep myself from acting- too many problems, too little resources, too little impact. Not this time though. So, I decided to send a donation to Blood:Water Mission, an organization founded by the Dan Haseltine, the lead singer of Jars of Clay, whose committed to clean blood and clean water in Africa. Clean water has more to do with the HIV crisis in Africa than we know or realize and by providing clean water, we can also combat the AIDS epidemic too. Check out their site at www.bloodwatermission.com.

Then I was thinking... I know so many others, so many wonderful friends and family who share my desire to see God's love reach the ends of the earth- in both the sharing of the gospel and in the meeting of basic needs. So I thought I would see what collectively we could do- what a collective response might look like. So for the next month and a half I am going to be sharing this message with those that I interact with, seeing who might be interested in helping fund clean water for 1 African village for one year. If you feel moved, join me in this. Send a check made payable to Blood:Water Mission to 60 Bennington Drive, Zionsville, IN 46077. My hope is that we can collect enough money to provide clean water for 1 village for 1 year. A total of $1,000 dollars.

I am certain God will be faithful in this and am excited about what we might accomplish- how together we might be able to provide even a glimmer of hope to some African village.

Blessings,
Katie