Well (no pun intended as I am trying to build a water well), winter has set in and, as usual, my picture taking has stalled. Having said that, I received a second anonymous $1000 donation on my works4water campaign on the Charity:Water website: http://mycharitywater.org/works4water2. This is my second campaign on the Charity:Water website and I am always amazed at the donations these campaigns raise! I began taking pictures over a year ago in order to raise $5000 to build a water well in Central Africa. I currently have $3300 towards that goal. I randomly set up a campaign on Charity:Water's website for those who may have wanted to donate but were not in need of any pictures, and have since raised $2690 on that site. I was always under the assumption that people would be more likely to give if they were getting something in return, hence the picture taking endeavor. However, I am learning that many people just like to give! I truly do enjoy photographing families and am thrilled that so many people have been so supportive, complimentary and generous towards my photography. I hope to take enough pictures to actually complete this water well before the end of 2013. What has surprised me and changed my own thinking - which is often how God works - is that others, including myself, can give just to give. Not for something in return. Not for any recognition (as I've received $2000 in anonymous donations). Not for any other reason aside from they feel blessed and wish to bless others. It's a difficult concept to grasp, and one that I truly had not practiced on a regular basis. Sure I'd go to a pancake breakfast and after enjoying my half-stack, feel like I'd done my part. But through this project, my heart has changed, and a goal for my future is to give. Not expecting any recognition. Not because I get pancakes, etc. But simply because I am blessed and want to be a blessing in return. I am once again realizing that God places these projects on our hearts not only to help the world, but to change us in the process. I am changing, and I wouldn't want it any other way :)
