Why Do We Do The Things That We Do?

           Alright, so I had a little melt down the other day and  I whined a little.... OK, maybe a little more than a little! I'm back strong and with renewed purpose... maybe because tomorrow I can splurge! A banana milkshake it will be!
          This is what grabbed me this week:

          "The White savior industrial complex is not about justice.  It is about having a big emotional experience that validates privilege".

           That's what Nigerian born writer Teju Cole said about the grass roots campaign "The invisible Children" project that had raised awareness by blasting the world with a twenty minute video, highlighting warlord Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA, a guerrilla group that had and still is now on some levels kidnapped, raped and turned thousands of African children into killers for more than twenty years. The idea was to "make famous" this killer in an effort to unite the world in capturing this guy and making him stand trial for his crimes against humanity.

"Never Doubt That A Small Group Of Thoughtful, Committed Citizens Can Change The World; Indeed, It's The Only Thing That Ever Has.
Margaret Mead

         The video went viral and the co creator has since been arrested for unsavory behavior, the critics attacked the IC in huge waves saying that "the video was too simplistic and emotional", "We should seek a peaceful solution", "A major strike may cause more violence".  They were questioning IC"s motives and financial reports. The video became an instant motivator for many but mostly young college age kids who were exposed to the injustice of what they SAW before them.  I watched the video and had high hopes for it as well. I believe that bringing awareness to an issue will awaken our sense of justice and then guide us toward activism. But the critic that made me STOP EVERYTHING and examine my own motives for entering into this Blood:Water's Mission's "40 days of water challenge", was the statement made by Teju Cole which I posted at the top of this entry.  He is challenging their/my motives!

        What is my motivation for doing it?  Am I a white American (immigrant) desiring to be a hero to poor, helpless Africans?  Am I doing this out of guilt?  Not every question has an easy answer, but this one did.  I just needed to think about it for a few minutes.

 "Vision Without Action Is Merely A Dream.  Action Without Vision Just Passes The Time.  Vision With Action Can Change The World." 
Joel Barker

       As most of you know, I consider myself a follower of Christ and although a lot of times I don't much care for my fellow earth walkers, he says I should love and extend grace to all his children.  I do love Jesus and I think his teachings are sound and are truth. These verses are some of the reasons I am doing this.

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:31-46

This is what God commanded the Israelites to do:
"If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you.  Do not take interest of any kind from him". Leviticus 25:35

God says: "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: here am I.  Isaiah 58:6-9

Days is ADraggin..........

• SeSeriously the hardest day I've had yet.... How can that be.  I've had  terrible cravings all day long.... Today at work I felt certain that someone on our floor was making a fresh pot of Joe every hour on the hour..The aroma was almost more than I could take!  Visions of coffee beans dancing through my head! Oh my! Oh my! I'm at the halfway point of the 40 Day challenge! Has it really only been 20 days?

                                         

   So now the newness has worn off and it is amazing just how long 40 days can really be.....   I can tell you that it's never been this long before! I will never again take for granted all the glorious drink options that are mine to choose and partake from. I can make it through... I quit smoking so I know that I can do this.

                                                                          

Catching Rain Water

                                                          Day 16: 

Gary, my husband

So far so good, but some days are harder than others. I really miss the taste of orange juice and I  take advantage of drinking it on my weekly "day off". It is sooo good!

          Gary and I worked on our herb and vegetable garden this weekend. The weather has been so unseasonably warm that it has brought out the farmer in us. We planted more asparagus,onions,lettuce and I put some rhubarb in the ground. Worried about possible frosts, we covered the new roots with brush to protect them. We talked about finding a way to collect rainwater or rigging some sort of a pump that would allow us to draw some of our creek water for irrigating our little garden.....that is when the thing is flowing. You just never know when it will. 

        Blood:water mission takes donations for the purchase of concrete for the purpose of building wells and rainwater collection reservoirs. They usually have this campaign at Christmas time... Something you might want to consider if you are looking for a worthwhile Christmas present to give. I suppose that the collection of rain water seems like a simple enough project, that is if you have access to gutters, PVC pipe, spigot hardware and concrete. Building a reservoir is not as easy a project, unless your getting your building directions off the Internet or selfhelp books, have the ability to drive yourself to your nearest ace hardware, pay for the materials on credit or cash and can load up the stuff into your truck. The whole project could come to a stand still even if only one of these objects were not available to you. These people are not stupid, just poor, tired and they have not had the educational benefits such as learning mathematical problem solving techniques most of us in the western world have received. They can't just go to Lowes and whip out there wallet can they? I do however wonder how once a reservoir is built, they keep the water from becoming stagnant in those tanks. Sounds like more research is needed. I am including a video that isn't necessarily educational but I liked it any way. Till next time.