Ashley's Story (40 Days of Water)

This past Sunday Ashley Clark shared with the CNX community about a trip to Africa that changed her life and gave her a front row perspective of the dire need for clean water.  Here's a piece of what Ashley had to say about her experiences and the importance of projects like 40 Days of Water.

"In May of 2007 I had the privilege to travel to Malawi, Africa which is located in the southern part of Africa. I went to Malawi through a partnership my church in New York had with World Vision. We visited an Area Development Project founded by World Vision and got to see the affects of clean water in an African village first hand.

"I think one thing that stuck with me the most was not the lack of clean water but the distance they had to travel to get clean water. We met many inspiring women that traveled several miles a few times a day to get clean water so they could meet the basic needs of their families. It struck me because their attitudes were never negative or complaining. These women were constantly singing praises and offering prayers for others who were worse off than themselves. 

They were happy! Happy to have clean water as a resource to them! Happy to be able to provide it to their families! They were happiest of all that people like you were kind enough to give them this simple and incredibly important gift. I cannot tell you how many times people thanked us for what we had done, and for taking time out of our lives to see their struggles and successes. I felt completely unworthy of their praises at times.

So, I want you to know that the sacrifices several of you have made over these 40 days will not go unknown noticed. Yes, we are providing clean water but we are also making life a little easier for hundreds maybe thousands of families. And, amidst the tragedy and hardship that these people face every day (whether they know it or not), doesn’t water seem like something so simple to give? And, maybe they will see Jesus in us the way I saw Jesus in them."

We have a chance to make a real difference for real people.  Every dollar donated will provide clean water for 1 African for an entire year.

If you are a part of the CNX community and want to contribute to the 40 Days of Water Project, we'll be collecting an offering for this purpose on Sunday (4/12).  Please make your check payable to Connections and note "Water Project" on the memo line.  We'll be writing one check to Blood Water Mission and every penny donated will go to this important work.  

If you won't be at Connections on Sunday, consider donating directly to Blood Water Mission. And if you are willing, post a comment here (anonymously is fine) and let us know how much you contributed so that we can see the impact we are making together.

Joy for sharing

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

What a wonderful gift to the world this guy's (kinda goofy) little dance is! I love seeing the interaction he attracts and the impromptu micro-communities he joins or creates. If I saw him, I would totally get out and dance my own little (really goofy) dance.

4th of July Picnic Update

Here's the latest status on the picnic for the homeless that our friend Hugh is planning.  There's still plenty of room for you to help out if you'd like.  Give Hugh a shout!

Dear Friends,

Well, our picnic on the 4^th of July is coming together. I have had a lot of response and a lot of people offering to help - thank you all!

This email is to let you know where we are, what we are still missing and how you can help. Many of you have asked for a list of things that are still needed.

Time & Place

Just so you all know, we will be setting up at about 3:30pm on the Person Street side of Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh. We hope to start serving about 4:30pm, but would like all the food to be there by 4pm so we can rush and buy whatever we lack.

Things we still need to have someone bring:

• GRILL: we have one grill lined up, but we need at least one more. If you have a propane grill we can borrow, let us know. If we have to, we can get someone to come pick it up, but if you could deliver it, that would be just awesome.

• HOT DOGS: We have several hundred committed to, but we could use a few hundred more. I have been told that Lowe's foods has them on special, buy one get one free. If you can bring hot dogs (please bring the all beef ones, not the mystery meat pink ones), let me know how many you are bringing.

• Buns: We MAY have a source for these, but if not, we will be buying buns on Friday. If you can bring buns, let me know how many you are bringing.

• Condiments: Mustard, relish, ketchup. Squirt bottles would be easist.

• Watermelon: Again, some are coming, but we are lacking about 10... if you can bring one (or more) let me know.

• Chips: We need 200 small bags of chips, assorted. They are available by the case fairly cheaply at Costco.

• Some more baked beans. I have beans for 100 committed, with some more that may be on the way. I really need to have some assurance on the beans and hot dog counts... we can run out of almost anything but these.

• Cash: If we don't get enough donations and food, we will be buying stuff out of pocket. The pockets are pretty slim... if you want to drop off some cash to buy food with, or a gift card to a local grocery or whatever, please email me asap about where we can meet. A few have done this already - Thank you!

Things we have plenty of (I think)

• Paper products (plates, napkins, cups,etc.) If you are bringing these, please remember plastic forks and black trash bags.

• Lemonade - again, we have plenty committed.

Cool things to bring:

• Frisbee

• Wiffle Ball

• Guitar

The Salvation Army has confirmed that they will not be feeding that night (they had considered it, but with us setting up they decided not to). Therefore, these folks are counting on us... not counting those of us who are reading this email, we can expect about 175 or so homeless and poor to eat with us... with all of us, I am thinking maybe we will be feeding as many as 200-225.

Please email me with specifically what and how many of whatever you are bringing, so I can be sure of what I have before I go to the grocery Thursday night.

Thanks for everything, and God bless you all.

Love Wins. Always.

Hugh Hollowell

http://lovewinsalways.org