When we originally talked to the girls about me going, we tried to explain why I was going. We did the whole mommy gets to help bring Jesus to kids, who haven't always had a safe place to live, haven't laid their heads on a pillow, haven't had a new pair of shoes. Kids who MAY get one meal a day. We talked to them about how Jesus asked all of us to go...
Then we talked about water.
I thank God everyday for the blessings that we have. We live in a country where we complain because we have the iPhone 4 instead of the 5. I live in a house where I can't close Liviana's closet because of all the shoes she owns, (LOADS of hand-me-downs, but still), I can't give my kids everything they want but they have an OVERLOAD of everything I deemed a need. Perhaps, it is just me, perhaps not, but maybe my idea of needs vs. wants is a tad skewed. I asked Leila to go get me an ice water and when she came back I asked the other girls how long they think she took. Of course, Landyn had some funny, perhaps a little sarcastic response but obviously it took seconds. We talked about the fact that almost 100 million people in India don't have access to clean, safe, drinkable water. We also talked about the sad results that come from dirty water.
"Can we send them water?"
My sweet, little Liviana asked if we could send them water, of course her sister's giggled at the idea of packing water in a box and shipping it over. I originally told them no :( We didn't have time before I left to make that work. BUT THEN MY TRIP WAS ALTERED and how could I not say YES?!!
We are building a well! We have named our campaign "With Love From Kansas." My prayer is that God would take the BIGGER than life idea from a 8, 7, and 5 year old and show them how mighty He has created them to be.
How can you help?
1. You can help by giving to our project, you can find it here. All donations are tax deductible.
2. You can help by getting the word out! Tell your friends and family, your co-workers- collect change after lunch, put a donations box in the breakroom- see if they would want to join the girls' efforts.
3. You can join the girls in one of their fundraisers, PLEASE ask me about them.
4. You can start your own well project.
5. You can PRAY! I take water for granite EVERYDAY. You don't realize how much water you use until you don't have it anymore. You can pray that we reach our goal and are able to provide fresh water for a community for up to 30 years!
6. Most importantly, PRAY! Pray for the men, women and children who don't have clean water to drink TODAY, pray for the mamas who take hours upon hours to collect water TODAY, taking time away from working or being with their families. Pray for the children who can't attend school THIS DAY because they are finding water. Pray for all the people who are fighting diseases, due to this massive problem.
We have the goal of $3000 to hit by December 31st. Is that bigger than 3 kids who get up to $3 a week for doing well on their spelling tests. Thank goodness we serve a HUGE God who knows their hearts. And THANK you for loving others with us. Providing clean water for up to 30 years is an amazing thing.
With Love From,
The Ramirez Clan
