The people are amazing

On my first trip to Zambia, I did not know what to expect.  I thought long and hard about what my perceptions were of people in Africa, particularly in rural Africa.  I found myself thinking these people were less fortunate, impoverished and much less successful than myself, than us, in America because they did not have the 'goal oriented' nature to create a better life for themselves.

What I found was surprising to me and completely different than my perceptions.  I found a humble, kind and happy people.  I found that they had the same 'root' desires as myself, those of love from family, friends and community, longevity and peace.  I found that the struggles they had were of the most basic needs of water which prevented them from healthy crops to feed themselves and protect themselves from disease causing death to those they love.  I found I had more in common with them than I had different.

I discovered a new place in my heart, one of a desire to live simply like them.  I was amazed at how happy these people were with as little as they had.  I could not imagine how they could be happy without the big house, large salary, fabulous toys until I found that the very things we in America strive so hard for are the very things that keep us from the peace and joy we seek in these very things.  We think these successes, these toys and material possesions will fulfill some need, only to find simple emptiness that can not be filled without God and human connection.  A part of me envied what they had, this surprised me greatly.

These very thoughts are what drive me to help the people of rural Africa, to help them meet their basic human needs.  I am not there to give them the biggest homes, material luxuries or abundant toys to distract them from the core of peace and happiness they embrace.  My hope and prayer is to offer them assistance to meet their most basic human need and allow them to enjoy the fruit of family and community they already own, hopefully with a longer life with greater health to enjoy.  They already own far more than many Americans, peace, love and joy.  Now if I can bring them water, food and vaccines...maybe they can teach me something.  Or everything :-).

Join us in Zambia October 2011

We are accepting applications and putting the team together for our October 2011 well building mission trip. We are very ex-cited about the team that will be serving together this Fall. There are still a few spots left, if you are interested in joining us in Zambia. Please visit our Zambia Trip page to get details and download application for the trip.

Our team members will be traveling from all over the states. Each team member will fly into Atlanta via Delta to meet up prior to continuing our journey to Africa. Our travels continue from Atlanta via Delta with a layover in Johannesburg, South Africa and arriving in Lusaka the following day. 

We will stay the night in Lusaka and complete our last 8 hour leg of travel on an executive coach bus with air conditioning and TV early morning arriving in Mongu, Zambia. The leadership team with the Zambia Project will meet us in Mongu to take us for a short drive to base camp where we will set up for the night.

Our mission trip will include 10 full days in the bush building a well, getting to know the local villagers and singing African songs by the fire in the evenings. It is sure to be a remarkable experience and our team will create memories of a lifetime and come home changed from the inside out!

The cost for the trip is $3,800 per person and includes travel costs; flights, bus; hotel (based on double occupancy); food in the bush; and repatriation insurance. Our team members can either raise the funds or pay for the trip for themselves or any combination of the two. The funds raised will be 100% tax deductible.

Once a team member is approved, a deposit of $500 will be required at time of application approval with the balance of $3300 due 75 days prior to the departure date. GROW Africa has sample fundraising letters to send and ideas to help you raise funds for your trip. Call or email Kathy Hardtke for questions 239-222-6882 or Kathy@growafricainc.org.

Supporting internationally vs locally

I have heard many thoughts of Americans supporting international causes through the years both supportive and non supportive.  Recently in an article that featured GROW Africa's international efforts "Cape resident inspired to GROW Africa" a comment from a reader came across that suggested that we in America have more than enough need to support local efforts and ignore issues abroad.  I don't disagree but do have some thoughts on the matter.

Yes, here locally we have many suffering poverty, as well as emotional and physical challenges that need help.  My first thoughts can be summed up in a book I read called "Holy Discontent" by Bill Hybels.  The synopsis of the book speaks on whether it is social injustice, AIDS, bad preaching, or wrecked marriages, what breaks the heart of someone who loves God most likely breaks God’s heart too—and it is often these “firestorms of frustration” that God will use to enlist you in setting what is wrong in this world right.

I believe that God plants a "Holy Discontent" on our heart for his purpose.  Some may be to make a difference locally and some may be abroad.  If everyone were to take action and do something about what breaks your heart, the world would be a changed place. 

I know the economy has placed many locally in a high stress, financially challenged state but if each of us did what we can whether it is donating $10 a month or $10,000 a month to make a difference in what your heart bleeds for...we can change the world, one person at a time.  Each of us are not called to change the entire world, only what emotionally or morally charges us to action.

Start today, send money to a charity that touches your heart, sign up to serve in an area that helps someone that satisfies that need to "fuel the fire that ignites you".  Don't wait another day, like Nike says "Just Do It" and remember "If you think you are too small to make a difference in this world, you have never been in a room with a mosquito" African Proverb.

Be the mosquito!

The need is great

Imagine for a minute, you are a mom or a dad and your child is dehydrated from being sick and is in desperate need of water.  You go to the local watering hole that provides water for an entire village to find that it is empty. 

You fully understand that the hole is empty because it you are unable to dig deeper than a few feet to get to the water that is mostly only 20 feet below.  the further you dig, the more sand falls in making it impossible to dig a deep well in the sandy region of remote Africa in areas like Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, to name a few.

You have two options.  First, wait for water to seep back in to gain water for your sick child.  This could take a day to get enough water to hydrate you don or daughter.  Additionally, the rest of the village needs water as well.  You second option is to walk up to four hours, each way, to find a pond to gather as much water as you can possibly carry to help your child get well.

This is an every day task that the villagers of remote Africa deal with.  They do not have access to a large enough quantity of water to keep their families healthy.  The water they have is not sanitary.  The quality of life as well as the length of life is drastically reduced without the blessing of clean drinking water.  Showering is laughable to them, not even on their wish list...simply plenty of water to drink and cook with will fulfill many of their dreams.

We can help, every dollar donated will help provide water to these villagers.  It only takes $3000 dollars to install a well to provide easy access to large quantities of clean drinking water.  You can change a life with GROW Africa, one well at a time.  Click to DONATE via our secure server today and become the change.

Run for Water

GROW Africa's 2010 inaugural "Run for Water" 5K fun Run/Walk was a resounding success.  Our goal was to raise awareness of the need of water in remote Africa and promote health locally via running and or walking.  It was a fun event kicking off our inaugural 5K which will continue annually on the 4th Saturday of September every year.

Our 2nd annual "Run for Water" 2011 is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th, 2011.  Visit our website GROW Africa "Run for Water" 5k run/walk for details and to register early for this event for a good cause both locally for your health and abroad for the health of others in need of water.