Monday, May 28, 2007

Kiva

I think I speak for most when I say that often we want to get involved and help those in crisis, but we don't know how. We watch the evening news and feel helpless. We know we want to do something, but don't know what.

We see poverty and other than writing a check, are very limited in our options. There's a solution, but we can't see how to be a part of it.

Recently I've been given a spark of hope. And that spark comes from an organization known as Kiva.

It's no secret that there are many in developing countries who have the skills needed to support their families through various jobs, but because they lack the start-up funds for businesses, they remain in poverty.

Take it from someone who has completed a lot of business courses- without start up capital, great ideas remain just that- ideas. But it doesn't have to be this way anymore, thanks to Kiva.

Through their organization, individuals such as you and me can actually play a part in funding a business on the other side of the world.

This is how it works: Kiva finds entrepreneurs in third world countries and assess the needs. They then petition us for loans for these businesses. Individuals work together to pledge the entire loan amount, then 100% of it is given to the entrepreneur.

Once they have the funds, they use it to buy supplies or get their businesses off the ground. Then over a period of time (some as short as six months), they repay the loan.

Then the lenders can either take that money back, or lend it to someone else who needs it.

In March I signed up and was able to loan money to a few individuals. Less than two months later part of this money has already been repaid! Money that I had all but forgotten about was able to help someone on the other side of the world who now, thanks to all of the loans given, has a sustainable source of income for themselves and their children.

What a revolutionary concept!

To see how you can give involved, please visit kiva.org

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Life In Full

They say the older you get, the wiser you get. I'm not so sure if that statement applies to me. But I do know one thing- I'm not the same person that I used to be and it's a good thing.

Maybe it's the two years straight of one health crisis after another. Maybe it's those extra grey hairs. I don't know. But I do know that I like the new me.

I now like the fact that life isn't always figured out. That I can step forward not knowing where I may end up. That it's okay that a degree isn't finished in four years or five.

That it's completely acceptable to not know where I'll be in a year from now. That it's fun to do spontaneous things with no plan b's in place.

That it's not a waste of time to spend a day doing nothing and just being. That life isn't about the end of the road, but rather the journey that it took to get there.

I'm on that journey. We all are. Some days are high and others are low. But the highs and the lows have a few things in common.

That first of all, I'm not traveling without a Guide. And He's sent me such an amazing group of people to take the journey with.

If you're one of these people- I thank you. I don't measure the quality of my life anymore by how rested I feel or how many dollars are in the bank account. Rather I measure it by the people I'm surrounded with who have my back and I'm thankful that they are many.

Yes my memory is that of a 70 year old and most days I look like a zombie, but that really doesn't matter at the end of the day. And it won't really matter if this is something I'm going to have to deal with in the very long term. No matter what circumstances are like, no one can steal the life instead that God gives to all His children.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

And that life is good. And I'm so happy to be able to be living mine every day to the fullest.