A Drink of Water

As I approached mile eight this weekend I had a choice to make...do I continue to push and try to do 10, or do I stop content that I completed eight fifteen-minute miles? My left calf was threatening to cramp and I was starting to come to the determination that I was dehydrating. However, I also realized that I was in a pretty good rhythm, so I continued.

After completing 10 miles, I walked for a couple of minutes to cool down. My calf was worsening and I knew I needed to get some water in me. I had a couple of bottles of water in the car, so when I got back to them I downed both of them quickly. I was glad to have that drink, and I considered our brothers and sisters in Africa that cannot get water so easily. Upon thinking about them, this fundraising effort, and the awesome things that we're funding, I was glad that I did those extra two miles. I also understood how blessed we are in that clean, refreshing water is rarely far away.

Fast forward to this morning at church. It was announced that we've met our fundraising goal and that in all likelihood any additional funds will be used somewhere else where the need is also great. This pleased me to know that not only will our "adopted" community be helped, but so will others. Then, our pastor used a visual about how our fundraising effort was literally giving the people of Katito, Kenya and elsewhere a glass of clean water. He then quoted this verse from Matthew 25:

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I take great pride in that we are doing this for the least of these. I sincerely believe that we've been blessed with so much (like bottles of water available everywhere) with the understanding that we are also responsible for so much - like being a blessing to others. This running and fundraising effort is just one small way we can make a difference. By giving to others out of our time, talents, or treasure, we honor the gifts that God has given us.

And, when we do for the least of these, we do for Him.

(((( To help with this effort and to provide a clean drink of water to someone who so desperately needs one, please click here ))))

Thanks, and God Bless.

Scott

$5 Difference

I look at all of the donations that have been made on my behalf and I am incredibly moved at the generosity of others. Angie and I have been talking about how awesome my friends, coworkers and Facebook family have been and how amazing this entire process has been. As we head into the last 10-days to give, we are about $15K short of our goal and I am less than $100 from my personal goal.

I look at the list and one donation in particular jumps out at me - the $5 donation from my sister, Michele.

I will not get into her personal finances, but suffice to say I know that a $5 donation is sacrificial. And I am grateful that she took the time to make the donation on my behalf. The dollar value is somewhat inconsequential...that she took the time and made the effort to help in a way that she was able and her support is priceless...I really thought about her donation during my training today and it gave me the motivation to go faster and further. All of the donations I have received have had that effect.

However, I also dwelled on the amount. It seems insignificant, but I know it is not. I've read somewhere that the UN definition of extreme poverty is living on less than $2.50 (yes, that is two dollars and fifty cents) per day. That's basically the price of a LOW COST coffee. Michele's $5 donation is two days wages for many of the people that we are trying to help.

Furthermore, I starting thinking about what $5 could do in great numbers. I have 313 Facebook friends. Assuming 300 have not yet donated to my effort, $5 from each of them would result in an additional $1500 to this cause. That would be a remarkable addition, wouldn't it?

So, here's my challenge for you. Please take the time to immediately make a $5 donation to my fundraising. ((( Click here to give ))) If you can make a larger donation, please do so, but if not - $5 will make a world of difference. Give up a latte for two days. Take lunch to work for one day. Don't rent one movie this week. Your five bucks by itself may not mean all that much to you, but it will mean a world of clean water to our brothers and sisters in Katito.

And, thanks Michele - for taking the time to care enough to make a difference. Together, we can change the world for the better.

SL

N.B. - Although the race is Oct 22, the water project must be funded by Sept 29. Please make your donation today.