May 10

May 10 Are You Willing?

I was compensated by World Vision for my time in writing this post. All opinions are my own.

Just a quick update before I get into this post; World Vision informed me that they achieved their 2020 goal 3 years early! This goal was to reach one new person with water every 10 seconds! Congrats World Vision!

World Vision has provided me with 2 new experiences in the last 3 weeks. First, I participated in the #6kforWater race on May 6th! I have never participated in a 6k before. Yes, I’ve ran a 5k, but this was a bonafide 6k which is 3.7 miles and my knees would not want you to forget the extra .6 miles.

Here was me after I decided to lay on the ground and take another post-race selfie to let you know that I MADE IT ALL THE WAY!!!

The second experience I’ve had with World Vision is that I attended a concert with World Vision! It was SO fun! I hate to say that I was a volunteer because that sounds like I did a noble thing. It was such a good time, that they gave me much more than I feel like I gave to them! The Outcry Tour was in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Van Andel Arena. My husband and I sponsor a child in Tanzania. We received a call from World Vision informing us that we could volunteer at this concert and then have free admission. They had me at “concert.” It was on a Monday night with nothing else going on so my husband and I planned on making it a World Vision date. The concert included Jesus Culture, Lauren Daigle, Elevation Worship, and Pastor Dharius Daniels. We’d never done anything like that before, but we had an excellent experience.

The World Vision staff walked our entire volunteer team through each step (I’m guessing there were around 65 volunteers.) We enjoyed the concert and then had the privilege of putting beautiful children sponsorship packets in the hands of new, men and women from all over greater Grand Rapids! It was so neat to be a part of! One of my favorite things the World Vision speaker did, was he had everyone raise their hands. Then he had them put their hands down. He said, “that’s all it takes to change the world.” I think he was onto something with that. Not only was that all you had to do to receive a child in your hands to sponsor at the concert, but raising your hand really is just a simple act of willingness. Are you willing to change the world? We can do it together! (Picture me saying that in a non-corny and sincere way because we can sincerely do this.)

In the last two months, between running the #6kforWater and going to the concert with World Vision, I am enjoying being a part of their community more than ever. Here are some quick and easy facts if you would like to know more about who they are and how YOU can change the world with them!

Before sponsoring a child, it’s important to know that poverty is a complex problem that is rarely solved by one intervention. Depending on each community's needs, a sponsored child—and his or her entire community—benefit from things like clean water through new or renovated wells, school fees and supplies, better education due to restored schools and teacher training, improved nutrition due to agricultural training, as well as healthcare clinics and immunizations.

Sponsoring a child is a personal, long-term way to get involved with World Vision and to show love to a child in need. The World Vision child sponsorship model allows for a one-on-one relationship with a sponsor, while pooling the gifts of all sponsors who support children in the same community to provide long-term resources for lasting change!

Here’s how child sponsorship through World Vision works:

· Find a child you want to help. Look forward to the first letter from your child within 6-12 weeks. It’s the start of a one-on-one relationship, and a fuller life for both of you.

· Your gift helps your sponsored child and their entire community. Your donation combines with gifts from all other sponsors who support kids in the same area. Translation? Long-term resources for everyone!

· Local staff make your donations go the extra mile. Children don’t get direct cash benefits. Better yet, our staff creates a sustainable plan for funds that keeps communities out of poverty, even once we’ve moved on to help friends living in another area.

· Stay connected for the important moments. The My World Vision digital experience lets you get regular updates, track community progress, and view photos of your child. You can even send them a letter through email.

Are you ready?! Even easier than raising your hand or running a 6k is just clicking this link HERE to sponsor your own child. Did you know that for every $1 donated, it translates to $1.30 in impact? (It’s true, thanks to grants and product donations.) You will help change the world, plus, maybe I can be on your team for the next race or see you at a concert in Grand Rapids!

Orange volunteer vests and photos of sweaty race-day finishes are somewhat trendy, but mercy, generosity, and world-changing willingness have never gone out of style.

Blessings,

Lindsey Feldpausch