As we get closer to taking this ride across America, and as i’m getting more apprehensive about leaving the comfort of a bed, a car, a shower, a toilet and for that matter personal freedom for seven weeks, I only have to go back to some photos I took on a recent trip to Uganda to remember why all of this is worth it, and is hardly much to sacrifice considering the need for wells in Africa.
The biggest complaint I have lately is that it costs so much to fill up my car with gas. The idea of not having something as simple and readily available as fresh water is an entirely foreign concept.
But the truth is there are currently over one billion people in the world lacking safe water and over two billion without adequate sanitation. When I think about that, I get excited about what we are going to be doing on our ride. I saw firsthand in an internally displaced people camp outside Gulu how impacting a well can be in a small village. My friend Bob Goff had gone into this IDP camp and fixed several broken pumps, and the entire community, hundreds of people, greeted us when we arrived to thank us.
I will be remembering that moment as we pull into various churches we will be presenting at along the way. I wish I could bring those hundreds with me so they could thank the people who are giving firsthand.
I want to thank those of you who have already donated to Blood:Water through this site. Your donations will go directly toward providing clean water to those who are currently eating, drinking and bathing in unsanitary conditions. Every dollar makes a difference.
If you haven’t donated yet, please consider giving something using the link to the right. Thanks so much for continuing to follow this journey. I’ll be reporting from the road soon!
Get updates from Don & the Ride:Well team literally from the road.
Receive the first chapter of Don's forthcoming book "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" when you donate as little as a dollar.
Kristie said,
May 22, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
bring some photos along with you in your wallet…
or fanny pack… haha…
for inspiration on the tough days ahead!
Jesse Phillips said,
May 23, 2008 @ 2:38 am
Thanks for doing this, Don. Excited to see what happens as a result of this ride. I still remember when you were on the RELEVANT Podcast and you said something like “Christians could totally take care of the AIDS crisis in Africa” - that has influenced me a ton. Cool to see you doing something about it.
Thanks
Naomi said,
June 16, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Thanks, Don, for taking a stand for Africa and supporting Blood:Water mission.
Funny, when I saw this picture I automatically thought it was Gulu, as I have been there recently as well. I told myself that the picture could have been taken anywhere in Africa, as the need for clean water is prevalent everywhere over there. Ironic, though, that it ended up being the same town I was thinking of.
Again, thank you for putting yourself outside of your comfort zone to bring funds and awareness to those that can’t provide either for themselves.