January 09, 2007

We Commit

I don't think it's that our generation is "waiting on the world to change," as John Mayer says, but rather that we're often overwhelmed wondering HOW to change it. But when given opportunities and tangible ways to do so, we jump in full force.

Last week at Passion 07, my friends and I committed to raising $3,000 to drill a well in an African village through the organization Blood:Water Mission. The non-profit, founded by the band Jars of Clay, works to reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic by providing clean water, one well and one village at a time. It seems too simple - that clean water can reduce the number of AIDS deaths - but that is what makes is so utterly heartbreaking. For some, the difference between living and dying is the blood of life that surrounds us all; that fills us, washes us, satisfies us. And all they need to drink from that cup is $1.

One dollar will provide one African with clean water for one year. That's half a gallon of gas. One-third of a Cinnamon Dolce latte. Two Cokes from the vending machine. Three quarters of a soft drink at a restaurant. One dollar.

Today I sent an e-mail to my small group, my friends who volunteered at Passion with me, and a few other people I knew who would be interested in this endeavor. Within minutes, I had pledges that put us almost halfway to the goal amount.

We want to help. We want to save the world. All we need is someone willing to show us how.

When we ask God, "Why do you let this happen?" He asks us, "Why do YOU?"

Posted by hannah at 04:13 PM