This summer we were introduced to Living Water International by our cousin Jeff. {You can check it out here.} Jeff went through an intense training program to be able to drill and repair wells in developing countries, and in just a couple of weeks he'll be heading to Haiti, for his first trip with Living Water. I can hardly wait to hear all about, what I'm sure will be, a life-changing and life-enhancing experience for him. And by extension, his family. "A child dies every 15 seconds because of the lack of clean water. It costs us an average of 98 cents to provide clean, safe water to one person for one year. Every dollar makes a difference." {Living Water International} And because of her daddy and mommy's interest in taking action to help the poor of this world, Emma joined the cause, giving people a cup of water, in Jesus name.
This summer Emma turned ten. {That in and of itself is hard to believe because I remember, like yesterday, her being a baby.} And for her birthday, she did something radical. I'll let her tell the story:
Emma wrote: "I had a birthday party and instead of my friends bringing gifts for me, they brought money. We donated it to an organization called Living Water. Each friend gave $20 so that made sixty $60 all together. I am really glad I did that instead of gifts. It made me really happy! $1 can provide clean water for one African for a year. It is amazing how a little money can give the Africans clean water." 
That's a pretty self-LESS thing to do, now isn't it? She's TEN. And birthdays are a big deal for ten-year-olds. {And 40-year-olds for that matter!} And yet she caught the vision that her parents painted for their family. They saw the need. They responded to the need. Their daughter caught their passion. And as a result, SIXTY people will get clean, safe water for an entire year, because Emma {and her two friends} donated $60 to children in Sierra Leone, Africa.
And to think that ONE buck would provide clean, safe water for ONE person for ONE year is staggering.
ONE DOLLAR. And one person gets to live for a year. Because without water babies die. And children. And mommies. And daddies. And aunties. And grandpas.
I'm so proud of you, Emma. Your heart is BIG. And this is only the beginning of how God can use YOU to make a difference in this world. You don't have to be an adult to make a difference. You've taken the first step of what I pray will be a life-long journey of acting on your love for Jesus.
Stay tuned for how you've inspired me, Emma. Coming in January I'm going to introduce my blogging friends to the H20 Challenge and I'm hopeful that a bunch of my friends will join me in raising money, just like you did, to give a cup of water in Jesus' name.
