As orphan week wraps up, here are some great ideas I’ve gotten from people I’ve talked to recently:
- Anne suggested “Change for change”: throw all the change in a jar and – every six months or so – send it to a charity that works with orphans. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it accumulates.
- Several people have become sponsors or made one-time donations in honor or memory of their own children. I gotta tell you, this one always makes me cry – especially some of the beautiful/heartbreaking stories that accompany that donation.
- One family is choosing to give up a Christmas gift this year and donate that money instead. I think it’s a great idea and we’re going to do it as well.
- Speaking of gifts, for some of the people on my list who have everything, we’re going to help send an orphan to college in their name. Amani has cards for this purpose if you’re interested.
- Want to accomplish something BIG like running a marathon or climbing a mountain? While you’re at it, make an impact on orphans by going to www.challengmenow.com. People click-to-sponsor and you raise money for the charity of your choice while you live your dream!
There are a million more ideas but I don’t want to overwhelm you…yet.
Well, I don’t know where you live, but where I live we have snow on the ground. Snow! On the ground! I’ve chosen to just welcome it and be thankful for our real, wood-burning fireplaces and my Ughs.
Whatever your weather, I hope you’re finding something wonderful to love,
Bo
Wood burning fires…that’s what I am talking about…I was just wondering what I could do with all the pine cones on the ground.
Wow – the ideas suggested here, I love them! What they really do is raise our awareness of how much we take for granted in a place and culture where we could pretend that “we have it all.”
Possibly my awareness is being heightened but I am considering another issue right now. I know that this is a website dedicated to raising the profile of orphans, specifically those in Kenya, but my attention was recently drawn to a new movie called, “Call+Response, a first-of-its-kind documentary film, which opened in major cities across the country this weekend. This groundbreaking film leverages critically acclaimed artists and cultural leaders to inspire the modern-day abolitionist movement.
As the reality of global slavery becomes part of our consciousness, as the people who have been “given much,” much will be expected of us.
I am not sure if this movie will make it to Bend but whether or not it does, it seems an important movie to bring to our congregation’s attention. It is not comfortable watching, but we cannot hide from this hideous reality.
The following is a report from the movie’s makers.
“Call+Response features an expert interview with IJM President Gary Haugen as well as extensive footage from IJM field operations. Many other prominent political and cultural figures share their responses to the crisis of modern-day slavery, including academic Cornel West, former secretary of state Madeline Albright, actresses Julia Ormond and Ashley Judd, and journalist Nicholas Kristof. Called “immaculately shot” by the Austin Chronicle, this rockumentary is an inspiring and concert unlike any you’ve ever seen, featuring critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, and Switchfoot.”
To find out more, visit, http://www.callandresponse.com
Looking forward to that fireplace, Bo…
Elizabeth
Thanks for that information, Elizabeth…I’m excited to check out the link.
Yes, a real meal and a real fire soon…I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you’re feeling about winter. 🙂 I’ll email you!