Baby Boy's Indian Brothers and Sisters

Of the world's malnourished children, nearly one in three lives in India, and about half of all childhood deaths are attributable to malnutrition.  In India, 1.5 MILLION children die before their fifth birthday because of unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, or poor hygiene.  Of every 1,000 babies born there alive, 52 will die before age one.  Nearly HALF of all children younger than five are malnourished.  - Compassion.com Fall 2010

Before I was pregnant, I didn't really 'get' it.  Women get pregnant, have babies, some struggle due to lack of care, some babies live, others don't, it's all in location and access to care.  Actually BEING pregnant has completely changed my view on this.  The facts remain - but it's a little scary being pregnant.  There is someone living inside of you.  Often when baby boy is really wiggly and I can look down and SEE him moving, I can't help but think, "omg it's alive!"  I WANT him to be alive, but there are just no words to really describe and express the feeling, both physically and emotionally. 

Once you're pregnant, you go to the doctor, confirm that there is a baby growing and then set up your next monthly appointment. If you have insurance, you likely won't pay again, but you'll know how much it would have cost because your insurance company will send a statement showing the total charged and how much was paid.  At each of our visits so far, the total charged has been about $300, add another $200 for sonograms - we've had four of those (we've actually had five, but one was elective because I'm impatient like that!).  The math on that brings us to just under $3,000 and we're only half way into the appointments.  When I say you likely won't pay again, I mean that we have not even had a co-pay for any of the visits. I know insurance companies work differently so this is just ours - but the point is that prenatal care is readily available and accessible if you have insurance.

For people without insurance, there are programs through most health departments that will provide routine prevention and care to a mother and her baby. 

After our first monthly prenatal appointment it really hit us how fortunate we were to not even have a co-pay ($30) for each visit.  Even when we're at the hospital and it's time for baby to debut in the flesh, we'll only pay $150 - total, all things included - yes even anesthesia if it's desired/required.  Insurance really rocks.

I promise I'm about to tie all of this together... We have several sponsored children through Compassion International and the plan is, when he's old enough (3), to request information on a little boy with Paxton's birthday.  Until then, and with all of the above thoughts in mind, we decided that we wanted to do something NOW.  Compassion has this thing called Child Survival Program that provides prenatal care, education, supplements, vaccines, and even income generating projects to pregnant women and women of young babies.  It's not a sponsorship program - but a very essential program to the women involved.  How could we not support this?  It's actually LESS than what we'd pay if we even had to cough up a co-pay each month.  It was a no-brainer.

We decided to be surprised rather than choosing a country and we have been assigned to a CSP in India called Upkar.  Right now there are about 30 women that receive benefits.  We're really excited to learn more about how we are helping them receive better care for their babies!  I LOVE that we can do this and am so thankful there are programs that provide such help to women in need.  I have WAY more to say about this, but I fear I've lost most everyone by now... if you're still here, I should totally send you a treat!  :)

Follow-up to Priceless

Check out this post from Children's HopeChest - it's about 10 minutes of video, but please watch!

Priceless

Have you heard of Tom Davis? He's the founder of Children's HopeChest and he's written a few books, including one I read a few months ago, Scared. His new book, Priceless, came out on June 1st and I couldn't wait to read it. Both books are about a photojournalist, Stuart Daniels, and things he experiences while on assignment. The first book, Scared, is about a young girl in Swaziland who is the head of the household, but Priceless is about the sex-trafficking industry in Russia.



Several years ago, I sponsored a girl, Masha, from Russia through a small NGO called Orphan Sponsorship International. Masha was 15 and I only sponsored her for a year because she started leaving the orphanage and hanging out with some rougher older kids in the area. Her sponsorship ended not too long after that.

Reading Priceless, I couldn't help but think of Masha and other girls in her orphanage. Tom Davis is an amazing author. He has a way with words that pulls you into the story and after reading Priceless, I was immediately ready to do something. Children's HopeChest has sponsorship opportunities for individuals interested and able to donate and make a connection with a child in need.

Parts of Priceless were ugly, sick and completely and utterly disgusting - but that is the truth for SO many young girls around the world - not just in Russia. I was sent this book by Tom Davis and his publishing company in exchange for an honest book review on my blog. If you read this book, I imagine that you too, will feel compelled to do something - even if it's only to learn more. Anne Jackson, a popular Christian blogger, traveled to Russia and Moldova with Tom Davis earlier this year. I encourage you to check out her posts from the trip. As the only female in the group, she writes a candid and sometimes creepy account of their experiences.

I'm going to find out if I can do a giveaway of this book, it was an option with the letter I received. If you're interested in that or just reading it, would you comment and let me know so that I can let them know if it's something my friends would like? Thanks!

In the meantime, if you're at the bookstore or happen to be shopping Amazon - BUY this book! I read it in just a few hours last Friday and couldn't put it down. It's an amazing story with so much truth woven into each page. You can read chapter one right here.

Also, be sure to check out the book's webite, She is Priceless and if you do NOTHING else, READ THIS POST.

Half the Sky LIVE - March 4th

A reader emailed me after my last post about Compassion. Check out the following for more information. Angelique Kidjo is one of my favorite singers! India.Arie makes an appearance as well. If you haven't heard her song 'Strength, Courage, & Wisdom,' you're missing out. And now that I've shared that, you should also listen to Angelique's version of 'Malaika' - my all time favorite song! Malaika is Kiswahili for 'angel.'

Do Something Tom's

Last night as I was briefly watching television, I saw a commercial for AT&T Wireless. They featured one of the head guys from Tom's Shoes. The point of the commercial was that because Tom's provides shoes to children in need around the world, they needed a reliable network... "with more bars in more places." This commercial reminded me of a direct mailing I received several years ago from Save the Children. In the envelope was a photo of a child's foot with a guinea worm crawling out. It was a horribly graphic image and one that has stayed with me up to now. Tom's makes canvas shoes and sells them for around $44; for each pair they sell, they also provide a pair to a child in need. So really, it's like $22 per pair. Not bad. I encourage everyone to check out their site.

I've not bought a pair of Tom's yet, but perhaps this summer I'll find some! They're introducing new styles/prints in a couple of weeks. I spoke to them on the phone last week since the styles I liked online were sold out in my size.

People right here in our own communities need shoes too. I recently finished reading Same Kind of Different As Me. Wow. It was an AMAZING book. It's about two men, Ron Hall, a multimillion dollar art dealer, and Denver Moore, a former slave. Set in the 60's, this book is a true account of how two men's lives became intertwined through one woman. It is one of the most inspiration books I've read ever and it's easily on my top 5 list! The authors speak at events around the country and help raise money for homeless shelters.

We may not have the guinea worm here in the states, but that doesn't mean our residents don't deserve shoes too. This week for Do Something Monday, I'm going to see what groups are signed up to volunteer at our shelter and try to help during the next rotation. I'm also going to stalk the Tom's site to see when their new shoes are available. What are you going to do?

Do Something

Back by popular demand! haha

Ok, we'll try this again! For details about Do Something, check out this post. Today, because my friend Jill posted a neat post about giving back to others, and because the Compassion India bloggers visited the home of Mother Teresa, the topic will be random acts of kindness.

Maybe you decide to take flowers to a nursing home or retirement facility, maybe it's leaving a thank you card for your postal delivery person, thanking them for bringing your mail each day, or taking time to talk to a stranger in need who you would have otherwise passed right by... Several years ago, after one of our tae kwon do classes, Master Lee encouraged all of us to call three of our former teachers to thank them for helping us get where we were. I mailed a card to one of mine and we still keep in touch to this day!

Maybe you set a goal of performing one random act of kindness each day, week, or month. With the busyness of life, it's so easy to overlook the small things that can actually be very deep and meaningful to someone else.

I challenge you to learn a little something new about Mother Teresa.

If you need some ideas on things to do, check out this blog.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

-Mother Teresa

In case you'd like for your act of kindness to be anonymous or if you're uncomfortable posting it, feel free to write about something different! I know that World Malaria Day has brought about some interesting posts lately and that is certainly something that deserves some attention. Feel free to write about anything you'd like! The idea behind Do Something Mondays is that we are jumping out of our comfort zones and reminding ourselves that it's not about us...do something for others, whether it's learning about a cause, helping a neighbor with groceries, or donating time or resources to a cause...

What will you do today?

Do Something - follow up

Back in January, I was reading a blog and saw a picture the author had taken. It said, "Do Something." I loved it and wrote to ask her if I could use it for a carnival. I didn't have much blog traffic (probably still don't!) and so no one ever participated, but my first post was one that meant a LOT to me. As I have been sitting here today, thinking about my blog in general, it occurred to me that I never followed up on one of my first 'Do Something' posts. I'm sure that only a couple people remember this but I feel like the post deserves to come 'full circle.'

"Today on Do Something Monday, I have decided to do some homework. I plan to contact someone who is in position to explain all of the ins and outs of my potential decision. And then I plan to learn more about other possible solutions to help. That's all I can say for now as this is something very personal and I fear that opinions may sway what I ultimately decide."

My something was a friend in need of a kidney. I found out that a very dear friend from church had been sick and her kidneys were failing. My initial reaction was ok, I'll give her one of mine. I didn't say this out loud of course but I immediately went into research mode learning all that I could about the process, procedure, prognosis, etc... for both parties. There were a lot of factors to consider, two of the most important being the age of both of us (one somewhat young and the other somewhat older) and the impact on my ability to have children one day. Ultimately, by the time I was in the end stages of my research I found out that her family was being tested, and from what I understand they are still going through the process.

Circumstance.

Our circumstance doesn't determine our future. That's a popular and powerful phrase. But if you take time to really think about circumstance, it's depth is unbelievable. Cirumstance. Some people believe that there is no circumstance and that God has put each person where He wants them for a reason. Regardless of which of these you believe, or which is 'correct' in any sense of the term, we are who and where we are and we cannot change all parts of that.

Lots of times people ask me why I help people around the world. Why can't I help people here, because lots of people right here in our own country need help. This is true. I have never denied this. However, we have SO many resources for people to take advantage of in the US.

When Hope Aid was founded, it was done so because resources are not available, and when they are, not everyone has access. Hope Aid is a bridge for that.

Helping others isn't just a 'calling' or 'passion' for me, it's what I feel like I was born to do. Why are some people born into wealth and enough when others are born in mud huts leaving much to be desired? I wasn't born into wealth by any means, but I was born in a country that has more than enough. A country whose people are cared for via government assistance or community organizations. Shelters may be full, but there are often many options for someone who is homeless. Work may be hard to come by, but there are plenty of jobs that will pay money.

Not everyone has that luxury. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, these are just some thoughts that I've been thinking for a while but after watching the trailor for The Mountain Thief, I decided to go head and post. Fresh Prince is on and I can rap the entire intro song. That's sad. It's after midnight and I've obviously lost my thoughts here... good night! Let's talk more about this! Have you blogged about it before? I'm thinking I might try Do Something Monday again. I removed the linky from my blog but I think I need Do Something back. It kept me humble. It kept things real.

Good night all!

Grateful.

Lately, this blog hasn't really been about much more than every day things. I used to post about more important things. I feel sad that I didn't even write about how I saw Slumdog Millionaire, and that it was a wonderful movie. I haven't even followed up on some of my posts.

I have a lot to catch up on. Til then, check out the video. I want to see this film.

World Water Day

Today is World Water Day! Did you try the water challenge? How's it going? I've not been the best but just being involved and attempting has made me more aware of how fortunate I am to have access to safe, clean water.

Some facts...

3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease.

43% of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea.

84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 - 14.

98% of water-related deaths occur in the developing world.

884 million people, lack access to safe water supplies, approximately one in eight people.

The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.

At any given time, half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.

Less than 1% of the world's fresh water (or about 0.007% of all water on earth) is readily accessible for direct human use.

An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the typical person living in a developing country slum uses in a whole day.

Without food a person can live for weeks, but without water you can expect to live only a few days.

The daily requirement for sanitation, bathing, and cooking needs, as well as for assuring survival, is about 13.2 gallons per person.

Water projects in developing countries fail at an average rate of 50% or higher.

Only 62% of the world's population has access to improved sanitation - defined as a sanitation facility that ensures hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact.

2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, including 1.2 billion people who have no facilities at all.

At any one time, more than half of the poor in the developing world are ill from causes related to hygiene, sanitation and water supply.

Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease.

Children in poor environments often carry 1,000 parasitic worms in their bodies at any time.

What can we do? Research - there are quite a few organizations on a mission to end the water crisis. Interested in a specific country? Email some local groups there and donate. Pray. Join the water challenge. For more water info, visit Blood: Water Mission's website.

Sudan in the news today

(CNN) -- Sudan's president was seen smiling, dancing and speaking to a huge crowd of supporters Thursday, a day after a warrant was issued for his arrest on war crimes charges.

Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir waves to supporters in Khartoum on Wednesday.

The display of defiance came as international aid agencies were being ordered to leave the country in retaliation for the move by the International Criminal Court over six years of bloodshed in the country's Darfur region.

The streets of the capital, Khartoum, were filled with people who raised their hands in the air to cheer President Omar al-Bashir, who raised both fists defiantly in the air.

The crowd was filled with posters and banners featuring al-Bashir's face or the flag of Sudan. The one banner written in English read, "We are all with al-Bashir."

Al-Bashir gave a fervent speech to the crowd, denouncing the United States, its Western allies and Israel. At one point, the crowd repeated in English, "Down, down, USA!"

Music before and after the speech got everyone moving, including the president, who smiled broadly and raised his walking stick in the air. A camouflaged helicopter swooped over the crowd.

Government air and ground forces conducted what the United Nations called a "show of force" in parts of Darfur, where the situation was "calm but unpredictable."

The International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, issued the warrant Wednesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It accuses al-Bashir of complicity in a campaign of violence against the people of Darfur, in the west of the country.

The United Nations estimates that 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict in western Sudan's Darfur region, and 2.5 million have been forced to flee their homes.


Sudan has angrily rejected the accusations and the indictment. Kamal Obaid, Sudan's state minister of information and communications, called the ICC a "white man's tribunal" and the arrest warrant "an insult."

It has told as many as 10 humanitarian groups to leave the country, and seized the agencies' assets, U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.

Where is God in Darfur?

For some reason, I've looked away when the news has highlighted Darfur. I know fully well what is going on there. At least, as much as one can know via the American and British media (CNN/BBC). But until seeing this video, I've never felt compelled to do something. Now, I find myself asking, where is God in Darfur? Surely He is there. This week in Bible study we had a segment that talked about how we sometimes have to experience the storm to feel God's presence. Surely that storm wouldn't have to be this...

Tomorrow, I will look into this more. How can we help Darfur? When I worked at the Red Cross I taught International Humanitarian Law, but I didn't do a lot with it. I saved all of my books and do use them from time to time. It's so complicated... government, IHL, criminal courts, ethnic groups... but surely there is something we can do?

Anyone know more? (Other than the George Clooney/Brad Pitt ads on TV...)

40 Days of Water: Challenge!

Challenge time!



In November, Abbie set up a Fast and Feast Challenge for Thanksgiving... I didn't fast, but I did pray during my time slot and at random times throughout the day. This idea sparked D and I to try our own challenge... but it didn't exactly go as planned...



So I'm trying yet another challenge. This time, I am going to do better!



Here's the plan... to drink only WATER for 40 Days!



We'll begin on March 1st and continue through April 9th (lenten season). Blood:Water Mission, the organization hosting the challenge, is suggesting that the money participants would have spent on beverages be donated towards their well fund. I think there are a few options here; that is one, another is sending the money to your favorite charity, or simply using this challenge as a time to reflect and remember those less fortunate and to remind ourselves of Him who truly satisfies thirst.

BWM was founded by Jars of Clay, a passionate group of musicians with a heart for Africa! Read more about how BWM was founded here.

"Blood:Water Mission is partnering with groups and individuals to empower Africans to build healthier communities through sustainable clean blood and clean water solutions, while developing social responsibility in the U.S. through initiatives that provoke personal engagement and ownership."

Blood:Water Mission has a shop on their site that has some really neat water bottles. I happen to be a fan of Nalgene myself and even contributed my two cents to our company's blog.

Don't forget to check out Blood:Water Mission's blog!

I'm sure I'll post more about this later... lunchtime blogging is just not sufficient enough! :)

JOIN ME!!!

Got Water?

The scarcity at the heart of the global water crisis is rooted in power,
poverty and inequality... (UNDP)

Did you know that, according to people who study human development, a person needs a little more than 5 gallons of water each day to survive? Given the extreme drought in many parts of Africa, millions of people are having to live on less than a gallon per day. Even if water is available, access to clean water is not. Therefore, people are consuming dirty water leading to many horrific health ailments. Where are the doctors? Wait - no food, no water, I'm sure education is high up on the list of concern for these folks.

There are SO many organizations that are trying to do good and many are working very hard at accomplishing their goals. But with the economy strapped all over the world, it's difficult for anyone to accomplish much of anything. Or is it? I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Compassion International actually reported an increase in child sponsorships despite the economy's current state.

As the world seems to fall apart, what are you doing to make it better? I skipped Do Something Monday this week. Next week I'll pick back up with it and report on our situation in Goma.

Do Something

How deeply do you give?

If a friend in need asked to borrow $100, and you had the money, would you loan it to them?

What if it was $1,000? Would you donate to the shelter if you received a letter pleaing for help during the cold winter months? What if the church had a leak and asked for a special donation? Would you say "yes" to a friend who asked if you would be willing to be named guardian of her children if something happened to her? Would you donate a kidney to a friend who learned she had only 15% of function in her own? Would you rescue the dog you saw on the side of the street, obviously tossed out to care for itself?

I am sure many of us would say "yes" to most if not all of these questions. But what if you were faced with one of these today. Today, on your way to work you see the dog. Do you stop? Today, you learn your single friend with kids needs $1,000 to fix her car, the same $1,000 you saved for months for a family vacation. Do you loan her the money? Today, you are faced with one of these questions. Are we truly saying yes despite our situation or circumstance?

Today, I am faced with one of these questions. It's something I'd always assumed I would said yes to, but today it stares me in the face. It makes me think much deeper about myself and how deep my giving actually is -- it makes me question who I am. That being said, there is much more to consider in my given question, but that doesn't change it's stare. It is present. Am I?

Today on Do Something Monday, I have decided to do some homework. I plan to contact someone who is in position to explain all of the ins and outs of my potential decision. And then I plan to learn more about other possible solutions to help. That's all I can say for now as this is something very personal and I fear that opinions may sway what I ultimately decide.

I will say, when I posted this yesterday about forsaking ourselves by not helping others, it really hit home. Who are we to judge someone else's need according to them? A friend in need is in need, period. Right?

What are you doing today?

For more about Do Something Monday, click here.

Saturday thoughts

Today was one of the most beautiful days we've had in a long, long time! Days like today are my favorites. It was in the low-mid 60s, slightly breezy, and sunny. I slept late and opened the windows until late afternoon. I cleaned the house, put the three heaps of clothes that have been waiting to be placed in their respectable places for over a week laundry away, and enjoyed the fresh air. It was near perfect!

I heard something today that is profound and real. It's simple, but it's deep, and it's made me think even more than usual about giving and why we give. Combined with something else that has come up with someone dear to me, I've been soul searching and sorting out my own giving practices.

"When we forsake the lives of others, we actually forsake our own."

Ponder this. I'll write more about it in Monday's Do Something post.

'Til then, enjoy the weekend and thanks for reading! :)

Do Something

What an afternoon... George's call, while only about 20 minutes or so, consumed my afternoon. I searched around trying to figure out what we could do to help the hospital. I have no earthly idea which hospital it is by the way... it doesn't matter. If George or Sister Pat is involved, it's worthy of our help.

I mentioned doing something in that post, and honestly had no intention of posting this post right now but it seemed appropriate given the day.

Thanks to Reya (Thank you Reya!!!) for allowing me to make a banner/button thingy for a Do Something day -- I'd like to propose a day for doing something. I didn't want to post today because I wasn't sure Mondays were the best days for this. But... when you think about it, is there ever really a good day to start anything new?

So, Monday it is. Let's make Mondays Do Something Mondays! It's the start of a week (well, a work week...) and that's the perfect time to make a plan to do something! Maybe it's finding something to do and setting a goal of making it happen by the end of the week? Maybe it's a gentle reminder to keep others first and help our neighbors. Who knows... the possibilities are endless but regardless, find something that you can do to help someone else. And if you can't find anything, consider making a small donation to Hope Aid ;) or your favorite charity. Remember, it's about helping others!

I'm not sure how many people read this blog, often times linky pages are read and I've no idea who keeps up with other pages, and that's okay. I started this blog to help sort my thoughts and provide a little reflection that I can't always get inside this thing on my shoulders... this is my journey and I'm flattered that anyone would find it even a small bit interesting.

I'm happy you're here and I'm excited to see how Do Something Mondays changes us! Doing something every day is the goal but since that would consume my other wild and crazy thoughts that I post, we'll keep it to just Mondays! Can't wait to see how this goes, even if it is just one or two of us!!!

(Feel free to copy this image to use on your blog if you're planning to join the Do Something day, and in the meantime, I'll work in the linky thingamajig (yippee, got it!).)

Phone call, Rwanda

I'm not really sure how to begin this post. Today, I'd planned to write about my word for 2009, but things changed when I got a call from my friend George. George Riess does what I do with Hope Aid, except, his projects are in Rwanda. There, he works with Sister Pat (Franciscan order nun, TOR). Sister Pat has visited NC numerous times in the past few years and I've had the opportunity to visit with her on each trip. She is the most selfless person I've ever met and will do anything for the children she works for in Muhororo.

George, and Bridge to Rwanda, has partnered with Hope Aid on a few things but mostly we seek counsel and support from one another. Today, George called with disturbing news. One of their board members, Dr. Sylvia Gleason just returned from Rwanda a couple of weeks ago. She went to compile reports and conduct reviews of the projects, but when word spread that an American physician was in town, she was quickly rushed to Goma in neighboring Congo. There was an immediate need for help at the hospital and she was going to be that help.

The UN has apparently been bringing children from the streets to the hospital. Infants come in one door and caskets leave another door. Children are dying because they cannot breathe. George and Dr. Gleason are urgently trying to get a suction machine and stethoscopes, among other things, to Goma.

When the phone rang just now, George had one question... Could Hope Aid help? Unfortunately, our funds are restricted. I hated saying that. I hated it with everything I had in me. We are such a small organization and our mission, while open, is focused on Uganda right now. All of our current funds are designated to either the school project or the clinic in Fort Portal. And we don't even have a lot of money in our account at that.

I told George that he should contact Dr. Sylvester Odeke. We worked together a couple of years ago to bring George Okudi to NC for a concert to raise money for a hospital project. Dr. Odeke also lead two medical mission trips to Uganda for medical students at the university. If anyone can help, it's him. I'm praying he has some contacts that can get the needed machines to Goma.

I also suggested that my friend, Irene, who is going to her first country of Rwanda in February and March may be able to take something along. Irene is a pharmacist so she would be able to gain medical clearance if necessary.

I write all of this to share with you how very near and real poverty and suffering is to me. I may not know what it feels like to be starving or to have watched my child die because I chose not to feed the weakest of my children, but this is not just a photograph or an image. It is real. It is happening to people that I know and people that I care deeply about. It is one of the reasons Hope Aid exists.

Please, if you are passionate about something, don't just write about it or think about it. Do something. Do something to make a difference for some one. Do something to empower yourself to want to do more. That something doesn't have to be big. It can be as simple as committing to praying for a specific cause or it could be as big as collecting money to help a community or project in need.

I've posted a lot about the global food crisis, and I've mentioned the work Hope Aid is doing in Uganda. While I'd love to check the post office and see lots of donations from all of you ;), I know that realistically, each one of us has our passions. Find yours. And make something of it.

This post is actually a wonderful lead into something I am going to write about soon. Don't forget about Doing Something, as you're certain to see it again. In the meantime, please keep the patients in Goma in your prayers. Please keep this mission in your prayers. I'll try to post some updates as things begin happening. Right now, I've got to get in touch with Dr. Odeke so he will be prepared when George and Dr. Gleason call him later.