The following was written by Carl Worthington, a TEAR Fund supporter who has kicked off a radical campaign to raise money to see a well built in Orissa, India, through our partner there.
Welcome to a revolution, this year I have decided to do something bigger than myself and try to make a radical impact on the poor in Orissa, India.
It all started when I was introduced to the idea of building basic wells in Vanuatu through YWAM, a team of like minded individuals and the local community. Unfortunately this never eventuated, but the passion and drive for building wells still anchored itself within me.
Why iPods?
How do you communicate to a post modern generation? The face of poverty hasn’t changed but people’s knowledge and perspective have. I needed a “Shock and Awe” idea, and then it came…
Last year I felt God say to me “Would you give up your iPod?” My first reaction was “What the…” “No Way!” This is my favourite thing; I could possibly donate some of my major organs, but my iPod! Eventually I softened up and as the project progressed I started to see the full picture. Christ wants us to honour Him. One way to do that is by honouring the poor [Isaiah 58: 6-7] this is an intrinsic principle that every believer needs to consider seriously.
iPods are a symbol of western culture, progress and ultimately “wealth”. So when you lay down your “wealth” so that your fellow man can survive and prosper, it has a deep resonance. This is something I personally feel God is calling the church to do and not just with iPods.
We make a living by what we get, but make a life by what we give – Winston Churchill
I want to start a revolution where people lay down 1 luxury and in return give several hundred people a better quality of life. – CIW
How’s it gone so far…?
“Gradual momentum” would be the best way to describe “Trade your iPod for life!” Being quite new to poverty issues I have had my eyes opened! Changing people’s perspective about poverty has been more challenging than I first realized, with general reactions varied. Some are incredibly excited while others think I have left the planet mentally.
At first it was like “What can I do I am only a chef with no real practical skills” What can I possibly achieve? That mind set has been changed. People are being connected all the time. It’s quite humbling watching it all unfold. I am extremely excited about the future well being built but know there is a lot preparation to come first. You don’t have to be a rock star to change the world, just use what’s in your hands.
Why did I choose TEAR Fund?
I chose TEAR Fund because I feel they are an organization which honours the poor extremely well.
My wife and I have sponsored a little boy in India named Rajeev for about 3 years. It’s incredible and deeply satisfying watching him grow strong, receive education, water, food, health care and a hope in Christ. As parents, this really impacts my wife and I, knowing that children in poverty can share in some of the resources we have.
TEAR Fund is all about biblical justice through empowering people in a way that’s dignified. One of their pivotal principles is to work with local Christian agencies and communities in the developing world. They don’t have a flash in pan mentality. TEAR Fund builds strong and lasting relationships to help make the dreams and aspirations of impoverished people become reality.
TEAR Fund’s major streams are; Child sponsorship, Gifts for life, Micro-enterprise, Disaster Relief and Change Maker programmes.
Become a revolutionary in 2009 and do something radical, something bigger than yourself that will bring lasting change and hope to a community that desperately needs it. Please consider helping us so we can build a well that will potentially save lives for generations to come.
Thank you.
If you would like to support Carl and get involved in his campaign, then visit his blog – Trade Your iPod for Life. If you have an idea for fundraising to make a difference and you would like to give it a go, call us on 0800 800 777
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Bring on the iPods!