Giving

I know that we are living in tough economic times. But I guess that I'm an optimist, always looking for that silver lining... We've become such a "consumer" culture in the past few decades and I'm hoping that as a society these tough times will help us all realign our priorities. Let's focus on family and friends. Giving gifts that come from our precious time and hands (and most importantly our hearts) rather than focusing on gifts solely from our wallets.Even with tough times, when we compare ourselves with many other parts of the world we are extremely fortunate. My youngest son's school focused on giving as part of the holiday festivities. Their focus was on Operation Smile, whose "Medical Missions teams travel around the globe to treat children with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate."

Our church focused on Heifer International - helping people to help themselves through agriculture.

An organization that has touched my heart is the focus of a friend of mine - Park Ridge Cares Kibosho Project. "Kibosho, a village in Northeast Tanzania located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro is home to several thousand children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. The village of Kibosho is struggling to find the resources to house, educate and care for these children."

"The Village of Kibosho expressed the need for a library/community center. This center will serve as a safe, structured environment for orphans and other children. It will also provide the entire community with a social, educational and recreational meeting space. The cost to build the center, stock and staff the library and provide ongoing training will require approximately $25,000. "

Our town is working with Global Alliance for Africa to try to fulfill Kibosho's need.

I hope that in this season of giving you find an organization that means a lot to you that you will consider giving to. If these tough times preclude you from giving monetarily, please consider giving your time, talents and love to someone in need.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Luke 2:13-15

Blessings to you this Christmas, Patti