Here goes my first post and once I hit "publish" my quest has officially begun! This all began when our church, Christ United Methodist in Fairview Heights, IL, suggested that the entire congregation read "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. I read the book and did a group study with some wonderful women and we all said in the beginning that we were hoping we would read this book and actually act on it as opposed to most books we read, are temporarily motivated, but never act on. Throughout the study I felt compelled to do something, anything - my part. I realized how out of touch I was and how I had truly assumed that the majority of people in the world lived similar lives to my own - wrong!! But, as all book studies go, we finished and went on with our busy day-to-day lives and again I did not act. Until now...
Just last week I began to feel that there was something I was supposed to be doing. It wasn't more laundry, dishes or cleaning. It was something bigger. Something that would actually help others. So I began to pray. I also got out my "Hole in Our Gospel" book and flipped to the back cover where I found a website: www.sixweekquest.com.
I went to the website to search for ideas for what to do and started reading about the plight of so many around the world with a lack of clean water. I also noticed a video clip put on by Charity: Water, which I watched and felt that this was it!! I then went to their website and found information on the need to build wells in African villages. One well could provide clean water to 400 people for 20 years at a cost of $5000 to build. There it was!
I then went for a walk while I continued to pray on how I was actually going to collect $5000 for this well to be built and whether or not I should just forget it or move forward. I asked God to give me a sign as to what I should do next. As I walked and prayed I came up with the phrase "Works 4 Water" and the idea that I could do "works" to earn money for the well. But what kind of works? I then began thinking about any talents I might have. My husband can attest that I am no Martha Stewart so crafts and cooking were out! I have no musical talents either - out! I do, however own a very nice camera and catch wonderful pictures of my children outside playing. There it was! I could take pictures of families outdoors and ask them to donate money for the building of this well rather than paying me for my "works."
As I walked I continued to pray and ask for a sign as to whether I should actually pursue this idea. When I arrived at home, sweaty and exhausted I sat down at our dining room table to be near the air vent. When I glanced on our table I noticed two things. The first was our son's sippy cup filled with nice, clean water and the second was my new issue of Reader's Digest with the word "WATER" in huge font on the cover. There it was!
I was feeling fairly confident about this idea, but I am one who needs a lot of convincing. As this day progressed and all my children were either napping or playing on their own I decided to get out a book I hadn't picked up in months and read a bit. It was a book having nothing to do with charity. I had read only two chapters of this book months prior and hadn't picked it up since, but as I opened the book I noticed I had placed a bookmark at the point where I had stopped and when I looked it was a Richard Stearns bookmark that read "What Can I Do Now?" And there it was!! And here I am.
My goal is to earn $5000 to donate to Charity:Water to build a well in Central Africa. This may take me a year or two but at least I'm finally acting. I'd love to hear from others who have advice or suggestions on this undertaking. I'd also love anyone in my area to contact me to set up an appointment time for your family photo session!! Thanks for your support and prayers!
Julie
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