My own birthday present

My birthday is not until next month. But in trying to live the promise I told myself last year, I was taking a break and looking at the World Vision website. For anyone unfamiliar with this organization, I implore you to look at their website. Read the book The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard E. Stearns, the President of World Vision. http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/

I already sponsor a woman from Rwanda. But for my birthday, I decided to sponsor a child. I was matched with a girl from the Congo - and when I looked at her birth date -- we had the same one. Merdie is 6 and does not go school. She lives in a an area affected by AIDS/HIV. And her large family needs some help.

So for my birthday present to myself, I get to sponsor her. It is a very small amount but I hope it makes a world of difference for her. A Happy Birthday to both of us, hopefully. And may 2011 provide me with even more opportunities and insight to help all those in need.

And in honor of Sargent Shriver passing, I share the prayer of St. Francis.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.