Running (again) for the beautiful people I left

I know some of you are thinking, "Not again! She just ran a couple months ago for those beautiful people and now she's asking for money again!" As I've been training for the half-marathon these last 8 weeks, I've been debating whether to do it through World Vision again or not. I felt bad asking again so soon and felt that people might get a little annoyed. Plus, with fall and another school year approaching, I also want to ask people to consider giving again to the children and youth in Benin and Togo. With less than 4 weeks together, I've decided to ask you again to think about the people in Africa and not worry about whether you feel bothered or annoyed. Why? Because there is still such an incredible need in Africa!! Right now, Africa truly is on the brink of a catastrophic famine, with the risk of it turning out like Ethiopia's famine in 1984 if something isn't done. It's in the news right now, but just not making daily headlines to remind us of it as we sit down to our delicious and plentiful meals everyday. "Drought threatens millions in Horn of Africa." (Reuters) "Drought aid needed for Somalia." (Chicago Tribune) "Hunger leads to deaths in Kenya." (BBC)

And that doesn't even include all the other issues going on in Africa, especially those affecting the children: AIDS, child sex trafficking, child soldiers, lack of clean water and not enough food to eat, lack of proper medical care and education, etc.

I really am not asking you to give for the sake of me raising some money to run. I'm going to run this race regardless of how much I raise. And if you're giving money to help Africa in some way already, don't feel like you need to give to this specific request. However, if you're not currently helping do at least something small to be a part of eradicating extreme poverty and desperate hunger, please consider giving through this channel or another.

We have been given so much... and much is expected of us! For most of us, we won't even feel the dipping into our pocket that has the potential of helping in such big ways. Here are a few examples of how a little money can go a long way:

$50 can give 30 medicine sets to clinics in Africa
$100 can provide a low interest small business loan for an impoverished mother
$360 can feed a child for a year
$500 provides 20 orphan care kits
$1000 can educate 10 AIDS orphans for one year

By the way, this year, all of the funds raised by Team World Vision athletes in Chicago will support a specific community in Ethiopia called Quacha Birra. Although I spent only a little time in Ethiopia over 8 years ago, it still is very meaningful personally that the money is going to Ethiopia.

So, think about it... although not for too long if you're going to give through this channel, because the race is on August 13th. If you decide to give through World Vision, go to

www.firstgiving.com/runchrischonarun

A few words by Mother Theresa to mull over:
"We should learn how to give. But we should not regard giving as an obligation, but as a desire... I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving, but do not give your leftovers. Give until it hurts, until you feel the pain."
"The less we have, the more we give. Seems absurd, but it's the logic of love... The poor do not need our condescending attitude or our pity. They only neeed our love and our tenderness."
"Jesus announced which will be the criteria of the final judgment of our lives: we will be judged according to love. Judged according to the love we have shown the poor, with whom God identifies: 'You did it to me' (Matthew 25:40."

I'll close with one final quote: "I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink...I'm telling you the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me- you did it to me." Jesus

Blessings,
Chrischona

P.S. Any questions, feel free to ask. And if you are interested in helping out with some school scholarships for Benin and Togo, please let me know as well. The new school year is quickly approaching and I'm trying to get as many kids and youth to school as possible. It doesn't take much, so whatever you want to give would be great!