Saturday, May 5th, Paul and I will have a garage sale at his parent's house.
We've been picking up donations that family has set aside for us, which is wonderful! I've also been doing some major spring cleaning since I've moved. I'm reevaluating what I actually need and learning to get rid of things that are just clutter.
Why do I hang on to my childhood toys? I don't know...but now I'm getting rid of them, including a giant bag of stuffed animals and dolls. However, I'm feeling pretty torn about getting rid of the My Little Pony salon. I mean, maybe a little pony will need her hair washed and then what!?! Just remind me I need money to get to South Africa... I'd rather not be around when that sells.
I'm excited to see how much money we'll make from the garage sale!
I'll be taking more donations up until that Saturday! We do pick-ups!
As of this morning, I have $771.00 raised, so $2,729.00 to go...
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
we are all the same
Greg, Paul and I went to a lecture on AIDS in South Africa, taught by a local doctor from Crossroads who has been on many trips to Africa and went on the Mamelodi trip last year. I learned not only about AIDS/HIV, but culture, poverty and compassion.
There are many orphans and many people dying due to treatable illness complicated by AIDS.
I have never been exposed to any environment like that...I can only imagine that it will change me forever. I also know it will be difficult to leave everyone I've met behind and return to the U.S.
I feel like this lecture made everything a little more real for me. It made everyone seem more human to me, instead of statistics or even "South Africans"...people are just people and I am just like them, I just happened to be born in the U.S. and like them, I had no control over where I was born.
I am going to read a book with Paul:
We Are All the Same: The Story of a Boy’s Courage and a Mother’s Love by Jim Wooten
If you only read one book before going to South Africa – read this one. It portrays a wonderful story of a young boy infected with AIDS and his courageous battle, but also gives a great brief history of the country and the AIDS crisis and the government’s reaction at the same time. A quick read that you won’t be able to put down.
There are many orphans and many people dying due to treatable illness complicated by AIDS.
I have never been exposed to any environment like that...I can only imagine that it will change me forever. I also know it will be difficult to leave everyone I've met behind and return to the U.S.
I feel like this lecture made everything a little more real for me. It made everyone seem more human to me, instead of statistics or even "South Africans"...people are just people and I am just like them, I just happened to be born in the U.S. and like them, I had no control over where I was born.
I am going to read a book with Paul:
We Are All the Same: The Story of a Boy’s Courage and a Mother’s Love by Jim Wooten
If you only read one book before going to South Africa – read this one. It portrays a wonderful story of a young boy infected with AIDS and his courageous battle, but also gives a great brief history of the country and the AIDS crisis and the government’s reaction at the same time. A quick read that you won’t be able to put down.
Watch the Video!
On Easter weekend, some of you got to see the video from the first trip, last year, to Mamelodi.
If you missed it or just want to see it again, go to: http://crossroadscommunity.net/go/Video.aspx
If you missed it or just want to see it again, go to: http://crossroadscommunity.net/go/Video.aspx
Saturday, April 14, 2007
on a mission
This summer, June 28th – 14th, 600 people from Crossroads will be heading to Mamelodi, South Africa. Mamelodi is a large township just outside of Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. Due to the injustices of apartheid, Mamelodi is one of the poorest places in South Africa. Crossroads has an existing partnership with a church in Mamelodi called Charity and Faith, and we are joining them, in person, to serve their immediate community. We’ll be planting sustainable vegetable gardens, repairing and building homes, playing with and teaching children about God, visiting with AIDS patients, and praying with the people in the community.
While watching a video for this trip, I knew that I should try and go and experience whatever God would have me experience on this journey. The cost of the trip for each person and supplies that we will bring is $3500. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to cover the costs of trip by myself and that was my only hesitation. I attended an information session and found out that 90% of the people who went on the trip last year did not know where the money was going to come from. So, if anything, at least I am in the majority!
Today as I post this first entry, I have $695.00 in my account... $2805+ the cost of immunizations to go!
I am doing research studies, house-sitting and having a garage sale to raise more funds...
On the trip will also be my good friends, Greg, Mae and my boyfriend Paul.
Half of the money is due April 15th, THIS Sunday...today is Saturday! They said they wouldn't kick us off the trip if we didn't have 1/2 the money at this point.
I will continue to save my money, raise money and pray...
While watching a video for this trip, I knew that I should try and go and experience whatever God would have me experience on this journey. The cost of the trip for each person and supplies that we will bring is $3500. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to cover the costs of trip by myself and that was my only hesitation. I attended an information session and found out that 90% of the people who went on the trip last year did not know where the money was going to come from. So, if anything, at least I am in the majority!
Today as I post this first entry, I have $695.00 in my account... $2805+ the cost of immunizations to go!
I am doing research studies, house-sitting and having a garage sale to raise more funds...
On the trip will also be my good friends, Greg, Mae and my boyfriend Paul.
Half of the money is due April 15th, THIS Sunday...today is Saturday! They said they wouldn't kick us off the trip if we didn't have 1/2 the money at this point.
I will continue to save my money, raise money and pray...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)