because I need a fight

This summer I was fortunate enough to take about 35 high school friends with me to Biola University to attend a conference called “Thrive”. The conference was phenomenal, and many of the students came alive in their faith in ways they never had. Many of them also fell in love with Active Water, an organization that builds bio-filters for families in Zambia (and other parts of Africa). We watched a movie called “Zambia’s Song”, where it was revealed to us that *most* families have unclean/unsafe drinking water; that their outhouses are right next to their wells, and many have to walk miles per day to scoop muddy water from an insect-infested hole. But $85 puts a filter in a home, lasts for 20 years, and makes all their drinking water clean.
Immediately some of our students went to work. They collected money in their dorm rooms and walked around asking for change in a hat. In a little over 2 hours they gathered enough money to buy 8 filters. I can’t explain how impressed I was by them, and how their action has challenged me to action.

I live a pretty easy life, mostly. My wife and I get regular paychecks, we never want for food, and we certainly have safe drinking water. I never have to think about where my next meal will come from, or if I have enough to eat or drink. I don’t think twice about buying Starbucks, or Jamba Juice, or a sandwich from Raleys. And those things, I think, affect my faith.
Why? Because I am never in need. Honestly. I know that sounds stupid, and probably a bit blasphemous, but it’s true. The bible talks SO MUCH about poverty, suffering, and enduring, and the only think I have to endure, really, is the line at Costco.

So I’ve been thinking and praying for a while about what to do about this. And I read a book a while back by Donald Miller that talks about the importance of putting yourself in hard situations and creating good stories. And I want to be able to identify with people who are in need, and not just give my money to them…that’s too easy. I want something I have to fight for, and I want my friends on my side during that fight.

For the next 2 months, starting today, October 25th, I’m going to drink ONLY water. I’ll carry it around in one of those trendy little metal bottles and fill it from drinking fountains. I’ll also eat ONLY what I can make at home, and as healthily as possible. Every time I WOULD have eaten out or had Starbucks, I’ll make a note of it (on my iPhone, of course ) and save that money for Active Water.

And here’s where you come in, friends. I’d imagine that with drinking only water and healthy diet and regular work outs, I’m gonna lose some weight. I’m asking that at Christmas, for every pound I lose over the next two months, you’d donate $1 to active water. Truthfully, I’d ask that you’d make some changes in the way you spend money and live, too, but $1 per pound is a good first step. It’s honestly pretty easy to do and it puts all the responsibility on me!

Thanks, friends, for reading this far and considering my lunacy. I love you all and if you’ve read this far, you probably love me, too. And, if you want, let’s play a part in God’s bigger plan in bringing healing to his planet.
Matt

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