In my previous post I referred to an organization called Rice Bowls. There's a picture below of a child named Nithin. He lives in an orphanage in India that Rice Bowls provides funding for. An explanation of my off-topic picture above: I love fall, I love Lake McQueeney, Texas and I love all the colors and senses that fall brings to this place I love. This is a photo of fall at Lake McQueeney. It is one of my many, many ways I have been blessed in my life. What's in your Rice Bowl? So my previous post was about the fabulous candles I found that are manufactured by the Bridgewater Candle Company. www.bridgewatercandles.com From the proceeds of the candle sales they fund the nonprofit Rice Bowls. www.ricebowls.orgAs they say, "Light a Candle, Feed a Child". (My candle continues to be awesome - very slow burning and the scent is a great balance and not at all overpowering. It's going to last a long time!) And Rice Bowls' tag line is "Fill Bowls - Fight Hunger" They give groups or individuals the opportunity to provide meals for kids living in Christian orphanages in several developing countries such as Honduras, India and Haiti. There are marketing products you can buy like t-shirts; the purchase of just one can feed forty children. But the coolest way to support Rice Bowlsis to order free "rice bowls" which appear to be bowls with lids and a slot for change or cash. They are distributed to groups you're involved in, with inspiration to fill the bowls with contributions. The bowls and donations are collected at a gathering of the group and a check is sent to Rice Bowls.
The rice bowl project is a fun, easy and effective way for small work or church groups or school clubs to support children in need of healthy nutrition. Or if you don't have a group to work with, buy a candle. Or do both!
You're going to probably buy candles anyway, especially during the holidays.
Right?
Nithin
At just two years old, Nithin settled into his new life at El Shadai Children’s Home in Chennai, India. His mother, affected by HIV, had heard of this caring home through a local Christian social worker. Her desire for Nithin to be loved and taken away from the horrific abuse at the hands of his father led her to El Shadai. Shortly after bringing Nithin to live here, she passed away. Along with his ”band of brothers,” (five little boys close in age) he loves to play soccer, jump rope, and laugh – a lot. His big smile is seen wherever he goes and helps him wiggle out of some of the mischief the “band of brothers” often find themselves in. Nithin may not be a big guy, but his appetite proves that he’s one growing boy! And Rice Bowls is more than happy to make sure that appetite is satisfied.
There are so many things I could write about on that topic and something happened today that pointed me exactly where I was supposed to go with it. Nothing is a coincidence, in my opinion. As I've mentioned before ideas and information that I'm supposed to share kind of just fall in my lap. Today we were driving on I-20 in Texas and made a quick decision to stop at a random place in a random town where we've never stopped. It turned out to be a new gas/food/gift shop/all-things-to-all-people kind of place. I walked into the ladies room and was surprised to see a wonderfully smelling lit candle. I don't think I've ever seen that in a public restroom before. It was very attractive and I noticed a lid sitting on the counter that had a tag on it. Glancing at it I saw a picture of a nine-year-old child named Nithin from India, and a statement that "1 jar candle feeds 1 child for 1 day". Hummmm..... my kind of thing, for sure! I wandered around the store and found the candle company's display. I chose two matching medium-sized jars both with wonderful scents, Vanilla Creme and Remember When, which is actually a cinnamon, fall spice type of scent. Off to the cash register I went. All in the name of Blog Research, of course. Besides a great looking product that smells awesome, burns clean, and lasts for hours, Bridgewater Candle Company does what the tag says it does. www.bridgewatercandles.com They use proceeds from sales of their candles (made in South Carolina, by the way) to provide food for children in several developing countries, many of them in orphanages. Their nonprofit is called Rice Bowls.www.ricebowls.org I will write more about them next week. If you're buying a gift for yourself or others and it can also benefit someone in need, why not seek that option? There are so many opportunities to serve in this way. How easy! Plus the recipient knows you put a little more thought into choosing something special for them. World Food Day is "A day of action against hunger". The goal of this annual event is to raise public awareness about hunger challenges and encourage people worldwide to take action in the fight against hunger. The day is largely about food, farming and hunger. You are probably already supporting farmers close to home, but there are millions of small-scale farmers around the world that we can support by making more intentional choices at your grocery or by supporting organizations such as Oxfam, www.oxfamamerica.org or you can see other great ideas at the Do One Thing site www.doonething.org I know I need to do more to help alleviate hunger. Do you?
What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.
Sunset over West Texas Yes this is a real, untouched photo of a sunset over roof tops in West Texas. I know because I took it, along with most of the pictures I've posted. None have been touched up. Not perfect from a human perspective. But what an artist the Lord is!
Over time you will see several suggestions of ways to get involved with veteran's and military-related issues. As the wife of a veteran it's a subject near and dear to my heart. But I know not all of you are interested so the information will be dispersed throughout several posts.
Who Are You Carrying?
That's the tagline for "Carry The Load", based in Plano, Texas. www.carrytheload.org According to the web site "Carry The Load provides active ways to honor the countless military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping our country safe." Founded by two former Navy Seals in 2011 the goal is to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day which honors those who have died in uniform. Personal commentary: Memorial Day was not designated to celebrate a three-day weekend so that people can barbecue and go to the lake. And no, it is not, as the media says, an excuse to "celebrate the unofficial first day of summer". It's about those that paid the ultimate price for their service to America. Carry The Load's main activities are organized walks on Memorial Day in communities across Texas but these activities are spreading to other cities in the United States. These walks and runs provide opportunities for people to show honor and appreciation for those that were lost in service to our nation through military service. Carry The Load also honors first responders such as police and firefighters. Youth groups and corporations such as Xerox are involved, and a national relay is being expanded in 2016 that will culminate in Dallas. In 2015 "Carry The Load" made gifts over $1.1 million to seventeen nonprofits that provide direct services to the military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel. This is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Organizing a "Carry The Load" event in your community would be fun and memorable way to celebrate Memorial Day. Or if you just can't tear yourself away from barbecuing at the lake, send them a donation.
I'm a pie gal. I consider pie one of the Lord's best gifts. I really like cake, but I love pie. I daydream about various flavors of pie, my history with that particular type, how it might taste, the texture, pie travel destinations, and on and on. I grew up learning from my mother to make pie that looks very similar to the above. Although hers would have meringue. I am sad that I've not kept up with my pie-making skills, which were exceptional for a kid, if I do say so myself. I love pie but am now somewhat a boring eater and avoid sugar and gluten. I am also a lazy cook. So I don't have it very often. Thus, I had to have a picture of this piece of coconut creme that I ate on National Pie Day. It was amazing. Speaking of gifts..... If you've read a few of my earlier posts you saw that I am also a fan of Faithbox. www.faithbox.com Sorry for repeating a topic, but I really think this is a great company that you need to know about. They put together great little gift boxes full of inspiration for the mind, body and spirit. They will ship them to you or someone that you think needs a lift. They are different each month so it's always a nice surprise. This month there's a book by best-selling author Jefferson Bethke, "It's Not What You Think" (Why Christianity Is About So Much More Than Going To Heaven When You Die). I'm eager to dive in!. Each Faithbox also includes a monthly devotional, "Everyday Faith". The October booklet is also by Jefferson Bethke and each day's reading is short but thought-provoking. A delicious-looking (and vegan, gluten and dairy free!) Chocolate Espresso Bean bar from a company named Kutoa is included. Tag line: "For every bar you buy we give a meal to a child in need." Then there's the yummy smelling candle packaged in a cute jar with a lid. Light the candle, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, have a healthy snack, and curl up with a good book. What a great gift, for yourself or someone else that you love. Donate Responsibly Also in an earlier post I reminded readers of the importance of checking out organizations you are not familiar with before you get involved or donate funds. Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, Give.org, www.give.org, and Charitywatch.org www.charitywatch.org are all good sources. You may find different types of information on each site so if you want the most complete picture of an organization look at a couple of watchdog sites. And then there's the Red Cross I found it very interesting and encouraging to hear a fairly critical report about the Red Cross on the national NPR network last week. http://www.npr.org/2014/10/29/359365276/on-superstorm-sandy-anniversary-red-cross-under-scrutiny One of those reporting was a representative from Charity Navigator. Frankly I wasn't at all surprised to hear the criticism.....they've been in trouble for years.....but I was pleased to hear the Red Cross publicly "called on the carpet", so to speak. This is a great example of being careful who you give to. Most people think the Red Cross is wonderful and provide everything people need when disaster strikes. I'm sure there are small local offices that do a fine job with providing supplies after a fire, etc. However the national organization has been soundly criticized for diverting assets to help their image during Superstorm Sandy, for one of many examples. So be careful with your funds. Just google the Red Cross. There are many organizations that are better managed and are better stewards of your donations than the Red Cross. Have a blessed week!
In my previous post I mentioned the current refugee crises and gave some ideas on helping. Unless you can volunteer for a relief agency, get on a plane, and travel to one of the countries being flooded with those fleeing you won't have a lot of choices in ways to help. But funds are desperately needed. This is a checkbook type pf help, for most of us. So if that's a passion for you, scroll down for some ideas. I checked and the links provided for donating do work.
I have never claimed to be a writer, although my blog class instructor told us when we finished our class that we were now "published authors". Therefore, when I hear something worth sharing that fits my mission here, I might borrow it and credit the author. There are millions of much better "authors" than I.
Today in church a traditional Indian folktale was told that translates to any language, religious belief or will resonate with nonbelievers. Online I found it had been retold by a British storyteller, Peter Chand, as well as in the version below, by author Mark Nepo.
Matthew 6 tells us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear. The young man in this story seemed to have been taught this, as well the philosophy of paying it forward.
The Boy and the Drum (as told by Mark Nepo in "Finding Inner Courage")
There is an old Hindu story In it, there is a boy who wants a drum, but his mother can’t afford a drum, and so, sadly, she gives him a stick.
Though he doesn’t know what to do with it, he shuffles home and begins to play with the stick. Just then he encounters an old woman trying to light her woodstove. The boy freely gives her the stick.
She lights her fire, makes some bread, and in return she gives him half a loaf of bread. Walking on, the boy comes upon a potter’s wife whose child is crying from hunger. The boy freely gives her the bread.
In gratitude, she gives him a pot. Though he doesn’t know what to do with it, he carries it along the river, where he sees a washerman and his wife quarreling because the wife broke their one pot. The boy gives them the pot.
In return, they give him a coat. Since the boy isn’t cold, he carries the coat until he comes to a bridge, where a man is shivering. Riding to town on a horse, the man was attacked and robbed of everything but his horse. The boy freely gives him the coat.
Humbled, the man gives him his horse. Not knowing how to ride, the boy walks the horse into the town, where he meets a wedding party with musicians. The bridegroom and his family are all sitting under a tree with long faces. According to custom, the bridegroom is to enter the procession on a horse, which hasn’t shown up. The boy freely gives him the horse.
Relieved, the bridegroom asks what he can do for the boy. Seeing the drummer surrounded by all his drums, the boy asks for the smallest drum, which the musician gladly gives him.
I really liked the movie "Pay It Forward", mainly because of the catch-phrase that resulted. Sometimes what we do for others is a pay-it-forward type of act, but we don't think of it that way, or mention to the recipient of the gift of time or treasure that they should also pay it forward. Wouldn't it be a better world if we trusted, as in Matthew 6, shared our gifts, and in turn, asked that they pay the goodness forward to someone else in need?
I don't know about you, but I really think that the Syrian refugee tragedy is a little more important than what Caitlyn Jenner is up to. Just a little.
Is your church or community involved? Are they offering suggestions on ways to help? I had been thinking about writing on the topic and this article came across Facebook. It has great resources and is better than what I would have written. However I will probably be writing more in the future on this. Because it's not anywhere near being over.
Buyer beware - I can vouch for several of these suggested organizations, but don't know them all. Do your own research.
Please pray for these people.
This article is by Christopher Dawson and was published Sept. 4, 2015.
(CNN) More than 2 million Syrians have fled their country, according to the United Nations refugee agency. With nowhere to go and often with just the clothes on their backs, many end up in refugee camps that are both overcrowded and overwhelmed. Many organizations are offering supplies, shelter and medical care for the people displaced by the crisis and you can help.
Doctors Without Borders is providing direct medical aid in six hospitals and four health centers inside Syria. They are also sending medical supplies, equipment and support to the medical networks throughout Syria that they cannot access themselves. They accept donations online, and you can earmark your gift for Syria by calling 1-888-392-0392.
World Vision is helping in Lebanon with projects to give refugees access to clean water and sanitation. They are also in Jordan, providing basic emergency supplies, water, sanitation, and education for refugees. In Syria, they are delivering water and health services. You can support them with an online donation or by calling 1-800-562-4453.
CARE is operating four refugee centers in Jordan, and is helping refugees there with cash assistance for rent and food. In Lebanon they are helping refugees get access to clean water. They are also working inside Syria, providing emergency supplies for families, psychosocial support for children and emergency medical equipment and support for women. You can support their efforts with anonline donation or by donating by phone at 1-800-521-CARE.
Catholic Relief Services is providing aid throughout the region. This includes urgent medical assistance, education and trauma counseling for children, and household supplies including soap and water purifiers. You can donate online where you can specify “Syria relief” in the special request form. You can also donate by phone at 1-877-435-7277.
Concern Worldwide is working to meet the water, sanitation and hygiene needs for refugees in Lebanon and for many still in Syria. You can donate online or call them at 1-800-59-CONCERN.
In August, the World Food Programme provided food to more than 2 million people inside Syria. They have also fed more than 1 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Turkey. Their hope is to provide food assistance to 6 and a half million Syrians by the end of the year. You can help them achieve this goal with an online donation.
Islamic Relief USA is providing food parcels, housing essentials and medical supplies for those displaced inside Syria and the refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. To help these efforts, select “Syrian Humanitarian Aid” as the designation on the donation page.
International Medical Corps is providing health care and psychosocial services for Syrian refugees with static and mobile clinics at refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan. They are also offering medical support to the hospitals and medical facilities in these countries handling refugee care. You can support their work, by donating online or by calling 310-826-7800.
Syrian refugees take orders from a Greek police officer as they wait to cross the border from Greece to Macedonia, in the border town of Idomeni , northern Greece, Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. Greece has been overwhelmed by more than 160,000 refugees and migrants so far this year. The vast majority arrive in Lesbos. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
Syria crisis creates two million refugees01:07
International Orthodox Christian Charities is helping families inside Syria and the refugees that are now living in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Armenia. They are providing emergency aid, including critical food aid, personal hygiene supplies and medicine. They are also offering pre-natal and post-natal care for infants and infant nutrition programs. You can help by donating online to their International Emergency Response Fund, or by calling 1-877-803-IOCC. You can also assemblepersonal hygiene kits for the displaced families.
International Rescue Committee is helping refugees inside Syria and in the bordering countries with medical and emergency supplies. In refugee camps they are providing water, sanitation and education services. They are also offering counseling, safety and support for women and girls at risk. You can help by donating online or by phone at 1-855-9RESCUE.
Life for Relief and Development is helping refugee families living in tent camps and temporary housing with food and home essentials including hygiene kits, bedding and kitchen utensils. They have created the Syrian Refugees Emergency Campaign where you can donate online.
Mercy-USA is supporting displaced children and families inside Syria with food baskets, infant formula and blankets. They are also providing daily fresh bread for more than 1,500 refugee families in Lebanon, and operate a mobile health clinic for those in need. To support their work, select “Syrian Humanitarian Relief” as your gift designation on their online donation form, or call 1-800-556-3729.
Mercy Corps is providing shelter, housing supplies and water for refugee camps. They are also focused on helping the children at these camps, with safe spaces, playgrounds, psychosocial support and storytelling workshops. You can support their efforts by donating online or by phone at 1-888-747-7440.
Shelterbox has provided tented shelters and other vital equipment, including kitchen sets, blankets, water purification systems and classroom supplies to more than 4,500 refugee families in Syria and the surrounding countries. In the coming months they plan to support another 5,000 families, and you can help them with an online donation or by texting SHELTER to 20222 to make a $10 donation.
Save the Children is helping the children in this crisis with temporary learning facilities, child friendly spaces and programs to help them cope with their trauma. They are also providing necessities like food, blankets and clothing to refugee families. You can support their Syria Children in Crisis fund bydonating online or by calling 1-800-728-3843.
The UNHCR is providing shelter, protection and assistance to refugees in Syria and around the world. You can help them provide tents, kitchens, stoves and sleeping mats by donating online or by calling 1-800-770-1100.
War Child UK is helping Syrian refugees in Lebanon, providing child friendly spaces and temporary schools. You can make a donation online to their Children of Syria appeal. You can also change the currency to dollars or euros on the payment page.
UNICEF is providing food, water, clothing and critical immunizations for children in Syria and the refugees in the bordering countries. They are also offering counseling for children and have launched a Back to Learning campaign for the region. You can help with an online donation or by calling 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
Do you have a love/hate relationship with Facebook like I do? Interesting things magically pop up from friends that you have not invited, tempting you to buy, buy, buy. I try to ignore them but one day I saw a great looking post from a group called faithbox. http://www.faithbox.com
To quote their site, "Faithbox is a monthly box of inspirational quotes and scripture, actions to enrich your Christian life, and curated products from companies with positive missions that we believe in." Each box includes "Inspirational Reflections" (small daily devotional reading or a faith-based book), "Random Acts of Kindness" (like a yummy cookie or a great looking watch) and "Socially-Responsible Products" (for example some delicious coffee from THX, pronounced "thanks", who donates 100% of their profits to non-profits around the world). Well this was right up my alley! It's all research for my blog, right?
I have received three boxes and have been delighted with each one. It's like a surprise gift I've given myself. They are all different and each month has a theme. August's box had a wonderful C.S. Lewis book called Mere Christianity, a devotional book based on what a gift time is, complete with scripture and thought-provoking questions, that yummy cookie from Alternative Baking Co. that I mentioned, along with the cool watch and some 'healthier" chewing gum. The box I received this week was sponsored by Joyce Meyer and had two of her books and a CD, and the THX coffee. Brew a cup and curl up with a great inspirational book!
There's a subscription plan; one box is $20 but if you subscribe for a one-year the cost drops to $17., or a 15% savings. It's packaged in a cool way, too; like a gift with just enough packing to get it to you safely. The outside quotes Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary in doing good" (love this), and the words ~ give, discover, grow ~ around the sides. Each box provides three meals to a child in a Christian orphanage. They have a partnership with Rice Bowls (a nonprofit dedicated to orphan care that partners with 54 children's homes and provides 100% of their food budget) and are now contributing over 10K meals every month. They impact children in Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ethiopa, Rwanda, South Africa, India and the Philippines. If you know someone going through a tough time and you want to pamper and inspire them, a faithboxwould be a great way to go. Know someone going through chemo for example? A three month subscription of a box filled with faith would sure be a blessing! And what a great gift for a friend. I've chatted online with Willie, the Founder and CEO, and he seems like a cool guy. I like that he was readily available to answer my questions Check them out.
