So what do you think of when you hear the word AFRICA? I think of poverty, AIDS, starvation, weak government, rebels, orphans...I think of lots of ugly things. Quite frankly, Africa is NOT a place I like to think about. It makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel unsettled. It makes me feel selfish. So I try NOT to think about it. BUT for several months now, I can't stop thinking about it. GOD keeps bringing it to my mind. GOD keeps showing me my selfishness. I thought about it when I was buying wrapping paper at Christmas time. I picked up the expensive foil kind in Target. I had it in my cart and then I thought about all the people in AFRICA with no clean water to drink. So I bought the cheap wrapping paper and came home and donated 10 bucks to an organization that drills wells in AFRICA. That happened another time while I was Christmas shopping too. I started feeling selfish and to make myself feel better came home and donated a little more money to AFRICAN charities. BUT seriously, let's be honest....I've done nothing of much value.
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My life is extravagant! I'm extremely wealthy compared to AFRICA. I'm selfish and worry about things like what colors to paint my walls and how I want to reorganize my garage. You know I spent $23 on a Thomas Train for Christian for Christmas. Oh dear.
And then I watched THIS. I almost couldn't watch the whole thing. I was sobbing. I wanted to look away! But I made myself watch it and I probably won't ever be the same. That video is just one example of what is happening to literally millions of children in AFRICA.
So what do I do? What can I do? I'm not going to go to AFRICA. I know that's NOT what God has called me to do. But OH my heart is soooo very heavy. It has been for weeks. I've been thinking about what I can do for quite awhile now and I've decided that for right NOW, I NEED to help send the people GOD has called to Africa.
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I know this is getting long, but stay with me here!!
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My college roomate, Jamie, and her husband Daniel are going to AFRICA in June! They're heading to Malawi. Malawi is the third poorest country in the WORLD. Malawi is the kind of place that only GOD could call you to. Malawi is a place with AIDS and orphans and people who live off of less than $2 a day. Malawi is the kind of place that makes me want to look away! But Jamie and Daniel are going! I'm so proud of them. I'm so excited to see and hear about the incredible things GOD is going to do in their lives because of their obedience to Him. Jamie and Daniel are living out the Gospel and I want to help them do it. I want you to JOIN ME in sending them!
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SO HERE IS THE PLAN!!!
Well, this is the first of several plans....get used to hearing about AFRICA my friends!
I've been doing a lot of blog make-overs lately. I'm definitely NOT the best when it comes to blog makeovers, but I've learned a few things over the past 16 months of blogging! So if you would like a custom header for your blog or a new background or a background and header that match and you don't have the time or skill to do it, then let me do it for you. All I'm asking is that you make a donation to Jamie and Daniel and help to send them to AFRICA. They need to raise $40,000 by June. Click HERE to donate online. You can donate any amount you like. I will never know how much you donate - Jamie and Daniel have no idea about my little blogging fundraiser here until they read about it with you. Just keep in mind that every $5, $10, $20...it all counts. So help send them to AFRICA and then send me an email to let me know that you donated and I will email you back with the details of how we'll do your blog makeover. Make sense? This is just something small. The only thing I could think of right now to do something about the needs of AFRICA. I'm going to keep praying and dreaming and hopefully this ache in my heart might ease a little. It's time to do something. Help me do something!
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Proverbs 14:31 NIV
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."
"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God."
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Blogger won't let me post my email address, so look on the sidebar for it.
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If you're having trouble viewing the video from the link above, try this link:
3 comments:
Great idea Judy! They have been on my heart as well and I really don't know them but I am so excited to read about this new chapter of life for them and am praying for them. I will definately make a donation towards their trip and let you know whe I do it:)I had already been thinking adn praying abour what we should do to support them and how we could be a part pf getting them there.
You ladies are incredible!! Judy, I wrote an email but I forgot to mention that I was reading your blog aloud to Daniel this evening I read him the verse from Proverbs at the end, he immediately said that he wrote down that same verse this morning! That's pretty good, huh? I am so encouraged right now! Thank you again!
My husband's parents live in Senegal, Africa. I don't think it's as horrible as Malawi, but I know when they come back to the states for the summer, just eating chicken for dinner is luxurious and such a special treat. It's amazing all the things we take for granted.
You're doing a great thing! I really hope your efforts will help your friends. When I have some extra money, I'd love to donate. :) Thanks Judy!
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