Last night I made 20 t-shirt scarves.
I sat there, watching a movie and cutting strips of t-shirts, tying them together, in disbelief of how overwhelming the response has been to provide clean water for children in Africa. And you know what's crazy? I have probably more than 20 scarves still to make. What an incredible, humbling experience this all is.
My husband - now home from his Uganda trip - has been sharing more and more of his experiences with our family, friends, neighbors and our church community. The other day he was talking about a visit he and the team made to an area where a water project had begun only two months earlier. John had the chance to ask what he thought was a simple question: "Have you seen any changes in your community since this water project began?"
The response? Everyone burst out with stories to tell. The translator had to quiet them down because everyone started talking at once and she couldn't translate any of it. Finally, one woman took the floor. On her fingers she listed the following: "In two months, we have had no kidnappings, no rapes, no cases of malaria, no drownings. This water has changed our lives."
These are things I stupidly never considered. That a water source itself is dangerous. A person - most likely a child or woman - bends over to draw water and finds themselves vulnerable. I have talked about the predators that lurk on the road to water, but it never occurred to me that predators would also wait at the water. It never occurred to me that while drawing up a 5 gallon (which weighs 40 pounds when full) water container, accidents could easily happen. My daughter - who is a healthy 3-year-old in the 90th percentile for weight - weighs in at 37 pounds. A jug of milk could tip her over easily. Imagine a child her size trying to pull up a 40-pound container on a rope. A child that does not know how to swim. God help me.
This is why we fight. This is why I am running. So that a daily struggle to survive becomes as easy as turning on a spigot. Can you even imagine?
I am so thankful for you all! When you wear your scarves I hope you will be reminded of the lives you have changed! I hope you will think of the communities that are being transformed. Thank you for what you have done. Wear your scarves with pride and tell people where they came from. Tell people why you gave. So far we have raised $2424.40 for clean water in Africa. Forty-eight people will never have to drink dirty water again or risk the journey to acquire it.
Just two more to go to reach our goal of fifty people by Christmas! Any amount helps and anyone who gives just one dollar per mile receives a t-shirt scarf! Just $50 is enough to provide one person with the water they need to survive for the rest of their life! Click here to join with us.
Matthew 10:42
The Message (MSG)
40-42"We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing."
Lately, every time I read your blog I tear up. I am so proud of you, Manda!
Posted by: Steph | Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 09:45 AM