Well, if you are like me, it's a whole lot easier to think you are doing good in the world than to actually do good. So, I guess you could say I'm trying to do something about it in 2010. I've decided to partner with Charity:Water to raise $24,000 to provide clean drinking water for folks who have zero access to it. My hope is to have it raised by December, 2010. And while that sounds like a really big number, over the course of a year, I think it is a pretty achievable goal.
The Who
This is where you come in. I'm looking for 40 humble and willing people/families who want to partner with me to help make this happen. If 40 of us will join together and commit to give $50 a month for 12 months, we will raise the $24,000 to provide water for 1200 people, 240 families, in 5 communities. It is a pretty big goal, but could you imagine knowing God allowed you to help provide clean water for that many people at the end of next year?
The Why
The hope for me is two fold: 1) I want to remind myself of what we, as followers of Jesus who live in the kingdom of God, are supposed to be doing. We are to love the least of these. Or as James put it, "don't just be hearers of the word, but doers." Simply, put feet to faith. 2) I hope to remind myself that my affection and attention is for one person, Jesus. This is where the "threads" in “threads for thirst” comes in. To give is one thing, but to "give up" is usually something else. I think it would actually be easier to just give $50 each month and not necessarily feel the effect. But I want to be able to give this money knowing I sacrificed something in order to give it. So, I decided to not buy clothes for the entire year. All of 2010. Yep, I'll just have to stick with the 40 shirts that currently hang in my closet. And the money I would have spent each month on a cool shirt, trendy hat or even practical pants will go instead towards meeting this goal of $24,000. My hope is that many of you who decide to be a part of this journey with me will also make this commitment. There is absolutely no obligation to, but how cool would it be if we all did it together? This is a big deal. And twelve months is a long time. So before you decide to sign up, think through it!! No clothes for birthdays, Christmas, etc. This is a big commitment! But it is so worth it. This will be my second year that I've gone through without buying clothes. After that first year, I found such freedom, it can't even really be explained. So, the idea is, no threads for me this year, so I can help quench the thirst of others. And here is 'why'. In the words of my friend David Putman, i just want to live and love like Jesus this year.
So, if you want to do this thing, shoot me an email. Rodney@mountainlakechurch.org. We have a webiste set up that is going to be keeping track of all the fund raising. You can find it at: www.mycharitywater.org/threadsforthirst . To donate, simply hop onto the site, and give the $50 a month! Pretty simple. By the way, you'll see that once you are on the site, it says the goal is only $6000. That is because charity:water only allows 3 month campaigns. We'll simply just start over again at the end of three months to reach our goal of a year, and giving $24,000.
Thanks guys. To God be the glory.
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