INSPI(RED), Hope in the Dark, Thanksgiving

This was an email I sent out to some friends that have been to Africa...included some thoughts and resources. Check it....

As I sat here in warm, balmy and wind-free S.W. Wyoming I had a chance to reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for. I wish one of them would have been that I got to share Thanksgiving with some new African friends but for some reason it didn't work out. I called them and my calls were never returned. I am a bit disappointed for one reason that they may have eaten at the only restaurant open here on thanksgiving...to the surprise of no one it was China King Buffet. =) Anyway I hope they had a place to spend their time. I know I ate enough for them...unfortunately.
So Thanksgiving was good and I again was reflecting on something that you and I were undoubtedly changed by and also share...A visit or visits to Africa. There are an endless amount of things to be thankful for but no doubt I think some of the things our African friends are likely thankful for often we take for granted. I hope you all have taken a minute to just think of the many things we are so blessed to have around us...both our parents, siblings, grandparents, our health, opportunity for education, clean water to drink, endless resources to grow spiritually, a bible, a home with plenty of space, freedom, stable national and local governments, safety, shoes, feet, legs(polio free), contacts/glasses for some, the option to chose what I want to eat, the option to chose what I want to wear, my own car, I mean I could go on and on. I came up here to Wyoming with one suitcase(not a large suitcase) that quite possibly had more clothes in it than many of our African friends. Crazy. Some blessings are material and some aren't but I think we need to not neglect any and be extremely grateful for all.
I am excited that I have had a few chances and will have a few more to share about what the coming months may bring in Kenya as I return and what God has done in the past few years not only in my life and the teams I was with but also in Africa and our friends there.
I hope that each of you are taking the chance to seek out ways Africa can still be apart of your everyday. One that I thought was cool that I wanted you to be made aware of is called INSPI(RED) http://www.joinred.com/ . It is a simple creative and great way to take advantage of our consumerism here and have it benefit Africa. The simple idea is to buy RED. Buy RED cell phones, t-shirts, watches, i-pods, etc that are all sponsored by companies giving a portion of the amount you spend to go back to Africa and help the people battling AIDS. Plain and simple YOU buy RED. THEY get MEDS to help them battle AIDS and live another day. I'd encourage you to check it out and perhaps buy RED for Christmas for those you love. Pass this on to whomever you like...I just wanted to start with those I knew who had "African blood" in them and let you do your thing and spread the word. I know you will so do your thang!

Below are some additional resources/organizations you may or may not be familiar with that you may want to check out.

African Leadership www.africanleadership.org
Blood:Water Mission www.bloodwatermission.com
DATA www.data.org
Invisible Children www.invisiblechildren.com
Oxfam International www.oxfam.org
World Vision www.worldvision.org

There are 27 additional organizations right here http://www.hopeinthedark.com/links.php


Here is a portion of a closing letter written by the authors of a book entitled, "Hope in the Dark" by Jena Lee and Jeremy Cowart that I must share with you. You'll know what I mean when you're done reading it.

..."It would be wrong for us to close our eyes and our hearts to everything that we have learned. Our experiences won't let us do that. Our passion and anger and hope don't give us permission to abandon these experiences, because the time we have spent in Africa is beautiful and tragic, rich and life-giving, horrible and yet redemptive."
..."People have the right to know that there are places in the world like Africa, where water is a luxury, where the laws of poverty riegn, and where people are fighting a battle of disease with every ounce of strength that remains. It is fair, too, that people are given an opportunity to connect to Africans as hard-working, dedicated, creative, and compassionate people. If we fail to see their humanity, our response will simply perpetuate the inequality and the misunderstanding."
..."When we expand our world view to include those whom we have never met, our lives are changed. We are compelled to give of our time, our resources, our leadership, and our voices. We invite you to join us on this journey with our friends in Africa. Its is not a plea for charity; it is an invitation to join a team of people, Africans and Americans alike, who are walking alongside one another in love. It can make all the difference in the world."

Until Dukey Drops Again........Much Love................