Project Seed Bags

"what are you going to tell your granchildren... when they ask you....what did you do while an entire continent whitered away from AIDS?" ~BONO~

I feel heavy tonight. It is hard to explain, but since this adoption has become such a huge part of our lives it has become so much more than that. The adoption put our eyes on Africa. Before this Africa was 'way over there'. Another continent. But suddenly it is like there is a microscope on this continent and we have learned more about the land and its people and their crises' in the last 7 weeks than we had learned in our entire lives.

Last night I was talking to Ray and I said how this is all so much bigger than I had realized. This is no longer about us getting a little girl. My heart is so in Africa now. As I listen to a song tonight I hear the words, "How can I turn away? Brother sister go dancing through my head human as to human. The future is no place to place your better days."

Last year a group came to our church and talked about "Project Seed Bags". Each bag brings the children a 14 lesson study on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a New Testament. They each receive a quality toy and crayons and a stationary set to use as the child studies. Through these seed bags the children are taught about abstinance and safety from AIDS. They are taught by missionaries and the seed bags are financed through churches and individual donors.

We watched a video on this project and it does amazing things! These children (reached at about grade 5 level) are given such hope!! Someone is telling them what AIDS is! They are taught there are ways to avoid it! I have learned from reading There Is No Me Without You, that most Africans don't even know how AIDS is spread because while they are HIV positive many keep it secret because they don't want the ostracization. So because of the secrets people aren't properly educated as to how they get it and how to treat people with it. It is such a tangled mess! With the Seed Bag Project the children are taught at a young age that they CAN fight back and they can win! HOPE!

At the time our family decided to sponsor a school. That meant that for a $100 a month a whole school would be educated. That means that each year that we stay committed to this school about 40 children will not die of AIDS because they will be taught what it all means and how to protect themselves!

Project Seed Bag Classroom

Our oldest son was also at the meeting and was moved enough to commit himself to $30 a month - he knew that his money would save one child a month.

If you are interested in how you can help, please follow the link below and check out their websites. They will show you schools that can be adopted. They will send you a picture of your school and you will get updates on a yearly basis, plus a school report.

https://www.seeds.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=69

The so sad thing is that before this adoption came up I was at a point of thinking that we should stop the money from going to that charity and route it somewhere else. I didn't think about it again until tonight and then I got thinking....

If our money will save 40 children a year, then in 10 years there will be 400 children in Africa that don't die because of one family's donation. Think how that will mushroom! Those 400 children will teach *their* husbands or wives and their children the *truth* about AIDS and prevention. Those 400 children will grow to so many more. All through one family.

We will not be stopping our help. That, I suppose, is what Bono talks about when he says - ONE. What an effect that ONE person or ONE family can have. Will you join in?

I think there will be more for us in Africa than a daughter. When Ray and I were talking last night I told him that I felt myself being drawn over there. I would like, one day, to go there for an extended period of time. Maybe even as a family, sooner rather than later. I don't know what we could do over there, but I am certain there is something that we would be capable of doing to help the people. I have heard nothing but glowing reports of how wonderful the people and the country are and I can't wait to go there.

I can't believe how blind I was before! It took a little child to open my eyes to what is happening.