With only a few days till Christmas, have you found yourself beginning to go crazy while in search of the "perfect" gift for the people in your life who seem to have it all? Interested in some suggestions??
How about a goat?
A chicken?
Mosquito nets?
A drought survival kit?
Huh?? Well, while Aunt Mary may smile politely as she opens yet another set of carving knives, how do you think she would respond to a gift that gives life to a family in a developing country? Several organizations have been creating "gifts" just like these for several years and we've fallen in love with this idea. While we (JT and I) have all that we need, our eyes are being opened to the actual real needs of others around the world, and we're becoming more aware of Jesus' call to care for those needs.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48
We've already been given so much in this life, and we'd like you to join us this year in giving to families struggling daily to survive. Many of the gifts are very inexpensive, but can literally change a family's life. Gifts like goats, chickens, pigs, cows, rabbits, fish, etc. can help to provide food and serve as a source of income for a family as they learn to breed their animals and/or sell their products (eggs, milk, etc.) Mosquito nets help keep families in Malaria "hot spots" safe as they sleep at night, reducing their risk of the life-threatening disease. One of my favorite items available through Compassion International is their "Water of Life" water treatment system. For only $55.00, this water container/dispenser will provide safe, clean drinking water for a family's lifetime. Each unit uses the same filtration technoogy used in kidney dialysis equipment and can supply up to 1 MILLION gallons of water! Every single day approximately 4,000 children die due to water and sanitation-related diseases.
4,000 children -- Every.Single.Day.
Sit on that number for a minute.
Water is essential to the human body, but for many around the world clean water is not an option. However, it can be achieved with the gift of a Water of Life system. (I know, I'm starting to sound like a salesperson, but I can't help it...I've been amazed at all I've read and seen about this simple device that could change a family's health AND life.)
I'll quit babbling about it and let you check it out for yourself:
I urge you to browse the links below to find some life-changing/life-giving Christmas gifts this year. Perhaps your shopping has been finished for weeks? I'm sure your kids wouldn't mind opening one more gift tucked under the tree...how cool would it be to explain to them the additional gift of chickens or goats or clean water? Or even better yet, what about all three?? ;)
Have a wonderful Christmas Season! Enjoy every moment spent with friends and family, and cherish the blessings you've been given.
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