Preventing the tragic loss of children’s lives – A perspective on Sandy Hook school shooting

If you knew that you could have prevented the Sandy Hook shooting and saved 20 children’s lives would you have done it?

If you knew that $1,000.00 would have prevented the tragedy and saved 20 kids lives would you have found a way to give?

As my thoughts have been consumed with the CT tragedy and the grief stricken families I have been flooded with different emotions and overwhelmed by global realities.

I have been reminded again about how controlled our responses are by media. And at the same time how stuck in the sand our heads are about the realities of death and tragedy, and the loss of life in our world.

If 20 jumbo jets filled with children crashed today that would make the news and we would be filled with emotion and grief. Our politicians would be talking about airline regulations and prevention strategies. But because this many children didn’t die in a “tragic media worthy” way it goes virtually unnoticed that this many children die EVERY DAY due to something we can prevent… WATER!

We say we care about children and the loss of an innocent life and then we turn our head when the call to action comes and we change the channel… But when the “TRAGIC” happens we watch the horrific news all day.

PLEASE DON’T MISUNDERSTAND ME!

I am in no way minimizing the tragedy, the grief or the real suffering that is associated with the CT shooting. But instead of minimizing it I am trying to bring reality to the real grief of parents every 15 seconds. What makes a grieving non televised mother any different than one that was televised? To me it is a tragedy when a parent watches their child die from a water related illness. And probably the greatest tragedy of all is to know we could have prevented it and done nothing.

Part of what keeps our head in the sand is the magnitude of the tragedy. It is so big I can’t solve it and I feel overwhelmed by it so I ignore it. I’ve seen the pics, I’ve heard the story and honestly those kids are far enough away I don’t have to deal with it… But if those kids were Americans, or my neighbors I might feel more connected.

We react and respond to things that “hit closer to home”. Unfortunately this does not match our words to the value of life. Somehow the value goes up based on geography.

I’m not asking for everyone to solve the problem but for everyone to do something. Every $50 = water for life for a child.

So now let me ask the question again… If you knew you could prevent the tragic loss of 20 children’s lives would you?

What about the gift of life giving water for each member of your family?

What about one less Christmas gift for us and one more Christmas gift for a child who would simply love some water for Christmas.

What about honoring the lives of those children in CT by being a part of preventing the loss of more lives.

Every day I run I am reminded of these precious lives and I run harder for them.

I would love to help 20 more children in honor of the 20 children in CT. Who will help me?

http://support.worldvision.org/goto/darrell

“All For One and One for All”

Up until my trip to Africa my view of child sponsorship was very limited. I saw a child and failed to see that child’s community. Oh I talked about community and connecting the child, but everything was focused on “all for one.” It was all about that child. What I didn’t realize was how World Vision’s model empowers and maximizes that “one for all.”

Let me explain. When we sponsor a child we promise that “one” an education, food to eat, medical provision, Aids awareness, clean water etc. however when you stop and realize that some of these areas don’t have a school, or clinic, or clean water… Giving a child all the money in the world can’t fulfill the promises. So the genius of the model works like this.

School in World Vision ADP (Area Development Project)

No school… Pool money from each sponsored child in a village and build a school in the village. Outcome… Every sponsored child can now attend school. However so can every unsponsored child in the village…

“All for one” just became “one for all.”

The promise is fulfilled and multiplied to others.

Fresh onions from family farm – because of irrigation project

Lack food... We tend to think that when we sponsor a child money is used to buy that child a bag of rice or a meal. But check this out. We promise that that child will eat as will all the sponsored children in a village. So if we pool resources from each sponsored child we could build irrigation canals and every family can have an onion farm providing resources to feed not just their sponsored child but the whole family.

Hauling water from a WV water source

Gathering water from a WV water source (looks like bad water but all water is boiled from this source)

Lack water… Many children travel many miles a day to collect water. One child in this village cannot attend school because she travels 3 times per day approximately 7 miles per trip to collect water for her family. When water is provided in the village everybody benefits. Children can go to school because their day is not consumed traveling for water.

I think you get the idea… The promises are true… Your sponsored child gets an education, food, clean water, etc but that sponsorship impacts so many more at the same time.

Petro, My sponsored child from Tanzania

WV staff member translating a sponsor’s letter

So what is the difference between my sponsored child and the other children? First and probably most importantly, your sponsored child has a relationship with you. That relationship is personal and the power of that relationship is profound (see previous blog)! The value of this relationship alone is FAR greater than $35 per month. I cannot stress the importance of this relationship enough!

WV staff with file for a sponsored child

The other difference is the relational contact between World Vision staff and your child. Your child receives monthly contact and check ups by staff members in addition to personal visits every time you write your child. These children become ambassadors for their village painting a picture of what is happening in the village with all the children.

WV Core Values on wall at ADP field office

The goal of world vision is to develop a community in such a way that it is self sustaining with all the promises available for ALL the children. Your sponsorship of one impacts all.

We truly are

“ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL”

If you have not sponsored a child and would like to click here. This is our sponsorship page for our Kilimanjaro Team World Vision climb. When you sponsor a child you can simply put my name as “Athlete” to complete the form.

Bee hives from WV honey project

Honey from WV aided honey project

Honey from WV aided honey project

Banking

Irrigation Canal from river

Family Onion Farm

Sampling an onion from a family farm

Maasai family Benefitting from child sponsorship

Jambo, Jina langu ni Petro

Jambo, Jina langu ni Petro…. (Hello my name is Petro.)

Petro is my 8 year old “son” in Tanzania, who I hope I get to see and hug this next week.

Petro is a “Hope” child. A “hope” child is a child living in a predominately Aids infested area.

World Vision Hope Initiative is an unprecedented campaign to address the needs of children, families and communities that have been devastated by the global HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Orphans and vulnerable children often do not have enough food to eat, have no access to proper medical care and cannot attend school, and face abuse and neglect. In many cases they must care for sick and dying parents as well as younger siblings.

Children like Petro are highly vulnerable.

You can be vulnerable and not be in poverty but you can not be in poverty and not be vulnerable.

When you sponsor a child like Petro you reduce their vulnerability. You connect them with a loving community and give them access to the necessities of life that give them a hope and a future.

Will you join me and our Kilimanjaro team and change a child’s life forever.

 

Simply click here and build a relationship with a child like Petro…

 

Future posts will focus on how you can build a relationship that will change your sponsored child’s life as well as you and your families lives.

Enjoy the journey

WHAT CAN I DO?

What can I do? This is a question I am regularly asked when I teach about human trafficking and poverty in our world? What I am discovering is, many who say this really don’t want the answer?

The issues touch the heart of emotion but often times go no further than feelings of anger or sorrow for those involved.  People with these feeling will say, “I want to get involved and make a difference but what can I do?” it amazes me how many of these folks take no action beyond that conversation.  Even when given simple practical things that could make a real tangible difference.

I wonder what the sticking point is?

Would the response be different if they woke up and discovered that it was their child who had just been trafficked and was being raped 15 -20 times per night? Would their action and response be different if it was their child who faced daily poverty and vulnerability?

It is my bet, and personal experience, that action is often attached to proximity of pain.  We tend to change everything when the reality hits home.  Finances seem to no longer be an excuse, time no longer stands in our way, fear of speaking out no longer chokes us up, when it is our daughter.

Often times now when people ask me what they can do to make a difference my answer is simply, “if it was your daughter what would you want someone else to do? Do that.”

If your daughter was vulnerable would you want someone to give to reduce the vulnerability…  Then Give

If it was your son or daughter and you knew that 35 dollars a month would reduce your child’s vulnerability, provide him/her with an education, provide him/her with clean water and medicines, would you pray for someone to do that…

Someone is praying that prayer!  Will you do for one of these kids what you would want someone else to do if it were your son or daughter.

For $35 per month you can do just that. www.teamworldvision.org/Kilimanjaro

Please don’t ask, “what can I do and then do nothing.” and if it is not this find something and make a difference in your world.

Obstacles – What stands in your way?

At 20,000 feet the mountain looms with massive beauty and intimidation as it calls out, “go ahead I dare you”.  “I dare you to try and overcome the obstacles I will present and make it to the top.”

Obstacles = “A thing that blocks ones way or prevents or hinders progress.”

Some of the obstacles I face in this adventure are fairly simple to overcome while others still stand before me in the great unknown of their magnitude.  The obstacles to Kili have arrived even before I depart for Tanzania.  There is so much to do and so little TIME to get it all done.  How often does time stand in our way to accomplishing things of importance in life.  I have had to set priorities to overcome this obstacle.

MONEY is another obstacle that stands in the way before the mountain ever comes into view.  I could use all sorts of excuses like “we just moved and the account is running dry”. How often does money stop us from accomplishing the great things set before us.  Again I must prioritize my life and spending for what matters.

There are many other little obstacles that must be overcome before the mountain is seen.  Obstacles like, passports, shots, purchasing gear, physical training, etc.  However it is the mountain itself that holds the real obstacles.  20,000 feet, 5 climate zones, foreign land, physical and mental exertion, Altitude sickness, along with other obstacles I am still unaware of.

Why the blog about obstacles?

As I ponder these obstacles the reason for this climb is made clear.  I am climbing with team world vision in an aggressive effort to change 500 – 1000 children’s lives forever by helping to remove obstacles in their life.  Each climber has an obstacle to overcome and that is to engage 50 to 100 people in sponsoring children (not a simple task).

The clarity has come home to me as I look at the mountain and put the obstacles to getting to the summit in perspective with what is at its base.  At the base of this  mountain is Tanzania  where children travel 4 – 7 miles round trip twice per day to fetch water that is filled with disease.  Where children live with the loss of loved ones  due to aids.  Where children are denied the privilede of education in order that they might simply survive.  Where children lack the resources to meet their basic physical needs.   These are their obstacles to a fulfilling life and often times to life itself. The child mortality rate is very high.

Fetching water stands in their way of gettiung an education.  Lack of education stands in their way their future. Disease filled water stands in their way of health.

Perspective… I can do things to overcome my obstacles.  I can train, raise support,  climb with experienced guides, climb with a team, eat out less, give up an occasional Starbucks, etc.

The promise of Jeremiah 29:11 is as real for these children and their families as it is for me and my family and you and your family.  God says, “I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future.” As I continue to ponder this I am confronted with the reality of obstacles.  What is the hope and future for these childrn and their families?   I can do something about my obstacles.

Their obstacles will continue to defeat them unless someone helps to remove them.  God has chosen to give them a hope and a future and that hope rests in our hands.  All the resources are available.  God has provided everything needed.  The problem isn’t its availability it is its release.

If you would like to help remove the obstacles in a childs life, lessen their vulnerability, provide them with clean water, education, medical resources etc., please click on the following link and for less than you probably spend monthly on entertainment, coffee, dining out etc, you can give a child a hope and a future.

What obstacles stand in your way to making a difference in your world.  can you overcome them or will they keep you from the joy found at the summit.

Click here to make a difference … Team World Vision – Kilimanjaro Climb – Athlete Name… Darrell

A Matter Of Perspective

Sometimes we just need a little perspective.

After watching this video if you would like to impact your world click here and sponsor a child.  Your sponsorship will provide water, education, medical attention, and lessen the vulnerability of children to to exploitation of others.

When you sponsor a child from this page would you do me a favor and put my name, Darrell, in the space where it says “athlete” and this will go toward my personal goal of sponsoring 100 children before I climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Thank you.

We are privileged to not have to walk this walk every day of our life. Some times we take life for granted.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

World Changers

World Changers…

7 children whose lives will be changed as they help change their world.

Last Sunday these 7 children received their world vision sponsorship packets.  Each one read the information about the child they are sponsoring and a little about their families or lack thereof.

These children are developing a world view that will reshape their own personal lives as they grow up in affluence.

As the children read about their “brother” or “sister” my heart was touched by the depth and simplicity of this act of love and “pure religion”.  

James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

 

 

 Each child is learning to love and serve others, be generous, appreciate what they have and not take even the routine of a meal on the table for granted.  They are spending time praying for their “brother” or “sister” and sending them gifts and writing them letters. 

This is not only impacting these children and the children they are sponsoring but it is also reshaping this organic house church as 

adults in this group are learning to go deeper and challenge their 

own personal values in this world.

What about you will you join these world changers, expand your world view, look after a “widow/orphan” in their distress, teach your children a broader world view and help them to appreciate what they have and not take for granted the food and water that is so readily available.  

Will you help change our world.

Here is a link where you can go to sponsor a Child.  It is $35 dollars per month which will help provide a child with…

Clean Water
Education
Health care
Less vulnerable to Human Trafficking
AIDS Prevention
And Much More

 

Click HERE and choose a child.  Fill out the form and in the space where it says “athlete” put Darrell.  I will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this Summer with Team World Vision and have a personal goal of sponsoring 100 children.

 

 

 

Together we can change our world!

 

For more information on the Kilimanjaro climb, Team World Vision, World Vision, or Child Sponsorship, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Kilimanjaro for a hope and a future

In June 2012 I will join 10 other team world vision climbers to embark on a climb that has already changed my life.  Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world at over 19 thousand feet looms before us.  As I try to get some perspective I look out the window of the airplane I am on as the 10 thousand foot notification sounds. I am overwhelmed by the reality of the task we will face.  It seems insurmountable.

But it is not the actual Kilimanjaro climb or it’s physical training that has changed my life.  It is the purpose for which I am climbing.  It is becoming for me a Jeremiah 29:11 climb.  A climb to give hope and a future.  As Robin, Kelli and I sponsored Petro, an 8 year old boy from Tanzania my life began to change.  I began to see the seemingly insurmountable reality of Petro’s life. As a Hope Child in an aids ravaged area life seems hopeless and overwhelming for children like Petro.

As I mounted the treadmill and began my workout the other day I began to pray for Petro and the 6 other children our organic house church are sponsoring. (one child for each of our children-this too has changed my life and I will write more specifically on this later). As I prayed, God reminded me that he has great plans for Petro and these children, plans for a hope and a future.  And then he changed me.  I could not escape the reality that their hope and future may rest in my hands.  For without the generosity of others their reality is hopeless.  God has plans for them and I believe I am (we are) a part of that plan to bring hope.

What kind of hope could be found if we joined together and sponsored 100 children.  What if 1o climbers climbed with purpose and each found 100 sponsors.  1000 children’s lives forever changed along with the community impact and ripple effect these lives would have.

Will join me in this endeavor and help me find 100 child sponsorers?  Click on the following link and put my name, Darrell MacLearn, in spot where it says “athletes name”.

World vision – Kilimanjaro

“I know the plans I have for you (Petro) declares the lord.  Plans for a hope and a future…”

Dear Petro, I pray that your life will be forever changed as world vision comes alongside you.  That your physical and spiritual needs will be met and that you will discover the love of Christ through the generosity of his people. I pray that you will find hope and discover the great plans God has for you, plans for a hope and a future.