Redefined Response

I recently read the statistic that a child dies every 15 seconds due to lack of clean water. Also, that the estimated cost of fixing that problem globally is only 2% of what Americans spend on Christmas. ‘Sick’ pretty well describes how I felt after reading that.

As many of you know.. I spent some time in Kenya this summer. If you go back a few entries you can read some about my trip. My team and I saw first hand the effects the water problem is having on real people who live on the same earth that we do.

‘Response’ is defined as any behavior of a living organism resulting from internal or external stimulus.

We often think of a response as being a positive thing (which it sometimes is). But according to that definition I would say that there are far more negative, apathetic or stale responses than there are positive ones. ANY behavior. I have been responding to what I saw and felt this summer by basically talking about it. Talking is good. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to share my experience with so many students this summer. But even that began to fade as camp came to an end.

After I read that statistic, it felt like I had just been punched in the gut. I knew way too much about this problem to sit around doing nothing any longer. It was time to put my words in motion.

When I started thinking about the potential of the resources I had access to, it was like I had just been thrown in the middle of a holy whirlwind of affirmation. I was part of a team of 21 people who had been right there with me in Kenya. A team of people who had the same heart and passion I did for helping the people we met there. I had gotten to know staff from the 410 Bridge and had visited one of their communities in Karima. The same community that lit a fire in our hearts for the water problem. In addition to tens of other things that seemed to point in the same direction.

My team and I have set out to raise enough money to build a well in a 410 Bridge community. The well will cost approximatly $18,000. The specifics as to which community have yet to be finalized.

Many of us have decided to “give up” our traditional Christmases by asking for WATER instead of gifts. So, if you were planning on getting me anything.. don’t. Go to our website to find out how you can donate what you would have spent on my gift to our project.

And if you weren’t planning on buying me anything (which I believe is most of you) please take a look at the site and check it out anyway. Tell someone about it. Pray for us. We need your help.

www.redefinedresponse.com

Peace.

JK