water

"...I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..." - Matt 25:35

Kelly and I have been following this ongoing "series" in the Seattle Times lately and felt compelled to share two articles with you. The first is today's. The second ran a few weeks ago (there have been a number of articles in between as well). While it isn't our ministry down here, we can easily see the difference clean water makes in our villages.

One of the things that we realized we take for granted back home in Seattle is our access to abundant, clean, deliciously thirst quenching water. Even when there is "drought" we still can drink until our bellies are full out of almost any tap or faucet in the whole city. Even those public school drinking fountains that have gotten so much press, for the most part, have water that I can drink with out too much worry.

However, down here, we can't drink directly from any tap. Anywhere. Ever. In fact, we are urged to not even brush our teeth with tap water. And the beautiful families that we are engaged with through our ministry that cannot afford the US $0.90 per 5 gallons of purified water - that then consequently do drink the tap water (or worse sometimes) are laden with parasites and amoeba creating distended bellies and unhealthy families. Here at least though, there is widespread access to clean purchasable water (even while some families are getting priced out of water, many are able to budget for it). But in many parts of the 2/3 world, there isn't even access to it. Children and families are dying for lack of water or lack of clean water.

The below articles are not profound. They simply tell a few parts of the story that is unfolding right now as bottled and "flavored" water becomes the glamor symbol and the safe haven for people misled by stories about the unhealthiness of America's taps.

Kelly and I want to challenge you if you're up for it. There is a very cool organization (one of MANY) attempting to bring clean water to people in need of it, called Blood:Water Mission. They have what they call the "2 week challenge" where they ask people to make water their only beverage for 2 weeks while putting all of the money they would have spent on other drinks into a jar. At the end of it, the money is donated to Blood:Water Mission. Kelly and I want to challenge you to do the same thing only none of the water you drink may come from purchased bottled water. At the end of your time, research and locate an organization bringing clean water to those without and donate your money to them. It's a small sacrifice. Try it. No cheating. Water only for 2 weeks and none of it store bought.  

"...I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..." - Matt 25:35

  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008024882_water30.html - The growing trend and marketing push of bottled water. Should we be concerned?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004398137_webwater07m.html - Seattle Mayor's illustration about bottled water.