Today is August 20th, 2016. One week from today, I will be waking up in a 15 passenger van with 5 other people and one van driver in the middle of the woods Oregon. I will not have slept very well (if at all), I will probably not have eaten very well (unless you count goldfish and granola bars as a well balanced meal), and I will be prepping for a 5 mile run after having already run 14 miles in the last 24 hours. Sounds like a perfect vacation, right? I'm excited! But this is what I do to provide clean water for children and their families in South Sudan.
South Sudan is one of the youngest countries in the world, only officially becoming it's own country in 2011. Since then, South Sudan continues to be a country ravaged by civil wars, poverty, and disease. Many refugees that have been in the news recently are from South Sudan, in an attempt to start a life over somewhere without war, child soldiers, and lack of resources. If you google South Sudan and read current news updates, it's easy to see that this is a struggling country in need with topics like regime changes, political unrest, child soldiers, and other heartbreaking headlines.
While these headlines can be overwhelming, there is one way that I know I can help. I can commit to a goal of raising $10,000 to help improve the lives of a people in need. I can ask others to support this cause. And I can run.
World Vision is an organization that has committed to helping South Sudan (and other nations with similar needs) find sustainable clean water. While this may not seem like an immediate solution to the above mentioned problems, clean water does so much for impoverished communities! Decreases disease. Provides work. Allows children to attend school instead of spending their day walking miles to find water...any kind of water. Improves agriculture. Decreases starvation with better crops. Improves health and strength. Builds community. And the list goes on.
I have never been a person who has felt called by God to be a missionary who lives in another country. But God has created in me a heart that breaks for others in need. It's why I feel God called me to the mission of being a child and family therapist. I have care and concern for the people God places in my path. When I hear about how a simple resource like water, a resource I have continual access to, can help a community halfway across the world, my heart cries out to do something. And God says, "Run!" And there is nothing better for me than to know that I have stepped out in faith on God's calling on my heart.
I have had times of doubt during this adventure, both this year and last year. A wise friend said to me during one of those times, "All you have to do is be faithful. God will do the rest." So I am being faithful. I am running. I am getting the word out. I am asking co-workers to join this cause. I am stretching my introverted personality to speak to people about donating money. God is using me where I didn't think it was possible. And God is doing the rest.
At the time I am writing this, I have only $992 left to fundraise before the race ends next Saturday, August 27th. Whether I meet this goal by next week or not, I know that God has been faithful in providing $9,000 to help the people of South Sudan have lifelong and sustainable clean water. That is improving the lives of 180 people! And that is amazing!
Thank you for all the ways you have supported me in this adventure for the second year in a row. I can't wait to share this with my Hood to Coast teammates, my co-worker Becca who I was able to convince to join me on this adventure, and with you!
To help with a donation, click here!
