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Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me
I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me
When I think of Africa, the following images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Sex slaves. Orphans. From there, my thoughts naturally turn to how I can help, how I can make a difference. "I am needed here," I think. "They have so little, and I have so much." It's true, there are great tragedies playing out in Africa everyday. There is often a level of suffering here that is unimaginable until you have seen it, and even then it is difficult to believe. But what is even harder is reconciling the challenges that many Africans face with the joy I see in those same people. It's a joy that comes from somewhere I cannot fathom, not within the framework that has been my life to this day.
The images spilling out of my television showed circumstances that could seemingly only equal misery, and I was fooled. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. The truth is, in Africa I find hearts full of victory, indomitable spirits. In places where despair should thrive, instead I find adults dancing and singing, and children playing soccer with a ball crafted of tied up trash. Instead of payback, I find grace. Here, weekend getaways are not options to provide relief from the pains of daily life. Relationships and faith provide joy. Love is sovereign.
My new reality… I know now that my joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I'm ashamed by my lack of faith, but at the very same moment I am excited by my new pursuit. I'm forced to redefine the meaning of having much or having little. I'm uneasy with the prospect of change and of letting go, but just the thought of freedom is liberating. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart - I no longer want to need the "next thing" to have joy.
I'm not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me.
Join Waters Edge in Spreading the Word
Start a new conversation. Raise awareness of the joy and hope that exist in Africa, and begin to reform the inaccurate perception that Africa is a continent only of despair.
Many in the west think Africa is simply an object of charity. This mindset does not breed true compassion. And there's something about truth… when it becomes clear, it hits you in a way that is hard to ignore. The same is true with people. If we invest in knowing someone, love is the automatic response. We can't all make a trip across the ocean, but we can seek to have a conversation that recasts the damaging images that force pity over partnership.
WHY DO YOU NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS YOU?
* I found this WONDERFUL story on another ministry site http://mochaclub.org
When I think of Africa, the following images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Sex slaves. Orphans. From there, my thoughts naturally turn to how I can help, how I can make a difference. "I am needed here," I think. "They have so little, and I have so much." It's true, there are great tragedies playing out in Africa everyday. There is often a level of suffering here that is unimaginable until you have seen it, and even then it is difficult to believe. But what is even harder is reconciling the challenges that many Africans face with the joy I see in those same people. It's a joy that comes from somewhere I cannot fathom, not within the framework that has been my life to this day.
The images spilling out of my television showed circumstances that could seemingly only equal misery, and I was fooled. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. The truth is, in Africa I find hearts full of victory, indomitable spirits. In places where despair should thrive, instead I find adults dancing and singing, and children playing soccer with a ball crafted of tied up trash. Instead of payback, I find grace. Here, weekend getaways are not options to provide relief from the pains of daily life. Relationships and faith provide joy. Love is sovereign.
My new reality… I know now that my joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I'm ashamed by my lack of faith, but at the very same moment I am excited by my new pursuit. I'm forced to redefine the meaning of having much or having little. I'm uneasy with the prospect of change and of letting go, but just the thought of freedom is liberating. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart - I no longer want to need the "next thing" to have joy.
I'm not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me.
Join Waters Edge in Spreading the Word
Start a new conversation. Raise awareness of the joy and hope that exist in Africa, and begin to reform the inaccurate perception that Africa is a continent only of despair.
Many in the west think Africa is simply an object of charity. This mindset does not breed true compassion. And there's something about truth… when it becomes clear, it hits you in a way that is hard to ignore. The same is true with people. If we invest in knowing someone, love is the automatic response. We can't all make a trip across the ocean, but we can seek to have a conversation that recasts the damaging images that force pity over partnership.
WHY DO YOU NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS YOU?
* I found this WONDERFUL story on another ministry site http://mochaclub.org
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti
---
On the news this morning, WATER is the biggest need in Haiti.
Water is Life. In the immediate future Haiti will face the fall out of death in their water system. Merely giving them bottled water is not a viable sustainable solution. Empowering them to purify their sources of water is the answer.
Edge Outreach uses the same system we do and has a rapid response team.
Please, if you're wanting to make a difference, consider contributing to our friends at http://edgeoutreach.com who use the same water purifier system that we use. Theyre headed for Haiti with 9 purifiers!
This from their site -
We'll be sending three teams of 6, and nine water systems to Haiti beginning January 20. Output from these systems should be over 70,000 gal/day. The cost is $79,000. THANK YOU for your support!
---
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Humbled & Honored
A friend sent this to us:
David & Anita both of you inspire me to be better...your posts are uplifting and never EVER second guess yourself because there are those out there (me!) that read and breathe what you write....you can't even imagine! I love the history---I hunger for what you both write...literally.
YOU are powerful. Your WORDS are powerful...so keep them coming my dear dear friend!! God bless you....for everything...that you don't even know you've done for me....
God Bless you both. For you never know those of us you touch. Your words, your sympathy, your courage and your strength--each has so much meaning.
I'm blessed that God has placed me with you and that I call you my friend. The Lord walks in you and through that I am deeply touched, and I'm closer to our Lord.
We never know who we're helping when we share the over abundance of Christ in us.
But we know for sure who we're not helping when we don't share!
Selah ~
David & Anita both of you inspire me to be better...your posts are uplifting and never EVER second guess yourself because there are those out there (me!) that read and breathe what you write....you can't even imagine! I love the history---I hunger for what you both write...literally.
YOU are powerful. Your WORDS are powerful...so keep them coming my dear dear friend!! God bless you....for everything...that you don't even know you've done for me....
God Bless you both. For you never know those of us you touch. Your words, your sympathy, your courage and your strength--each has so much meaning.
I'm blessed that God has placed me with you and that I call you my friend. The Lord walks in you and through that I am deeply touched, and I'm closer to our Lord.
We never know who we're helping when we share the over abundance of Christ in us.
But we know for sure who we're not helping when we don't share!
Selah ~
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Something Beautiful
Dear Waters Edge,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with other users.
Details of the Recommendation: "If you are interested in making a difference in this world then Water's Edge Ministries are who you want to connect with. David and Anita run this organization with integrity and heart. They are passionate about issues of poverty, hunger and orphans and specifically work within communities in Ghana to bring clean water to the people. They have taken teams to Africa and continue to impact villages by setting up filtration systems to eliminate the issues of dirty water and diseases. They also have a program to sponsor children so that they have opportunities to attend school, have hot meals and receive education that empowers their minds and future. I highly recommend David and Anita if you are looking to do something on a global level."
JW
Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and stife
But he made something beautiful of my life
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and stife
But he made something beautiful of my life
Friday, December 25, 2009
Mele Kalikimaka
Woke up to a cold, rainy morning. Stayed in bed a while longer. Snuggled up with my Angel Baby Doll and gave thanks.
Put on a new long sleeve t-shirt (gift from a neighbor), heated some Chocolate Truffle Coffee, made tea for my butter cup, cut a couple of hefty slices of Cracker Barrel Apple Pie (gift from a friend), put a thick slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese on each and nuked!
Consumed above listed goodness while checking some email and tweets and discovered...
Put on a new long sleeve t-shirt (gift from a neighbor), heated some Chocolate Truffle Coffee, made tea for my butter cup, cut a couple of hefty slices of Cracker Barrel Apple Pie (gift from a friend), put a thick slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese on each and nuked!
Consumed above listed goodness while checking some email and tweets and discovered...
...this in a tweet by @perrynoble , pastor at Newspring church in Anderson, SC.
Just had to share it with Y'all!
** Mele Kalikimaka = Merry Christmas for you non-Hawaiian types!
Just had to share it with Y'all!
** Mele Kalikimaka = Merry Christmas for you non-Hawaiian types!
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