CHANGING LIVES

Pastor's Pen   I was intrigued by the new fund raising technique employed by the City of Chicago:  they take memorial photographs of your car passing through various city intersections, and send a copy to you in the mail.  (Sort of like those photos taken of yourself coming off the cruise ship, or at a fancy restaurant).  The photograph comes outlined in red with a close up of your license plate.  The requested donation is $100.  I have collected several of these photographs:  my car turning right…my spouse's car hastening onward.    Now the city is in need of funds, so loyal citizen that I am, of course I am glad to help out.  This is one school of thought on raising funds:  tell them how broke we are, and ask them to put in a little extra.  But another way of raising funds is to tell people how we are changing lives, and trust that they will want to contribute.   On that note, I wish to mention that the CROP Walk is Sunday, October 18.  Here is a short excerpt about how we at RFUMC are changing lives through the CROP Walk. (This is written by Julia F. Jones, Assistant Director, Great Rivers Regional Office, Church World Service—people who organize the CROP Walk.)   When I traveled to Haiti last year, I found communities of warm and welcoming people, despite the extreme poverty and rising food costs in that country.  I heard mothers tell stories of making "cookies" out of mud and salt, baked in the sun, to give to their children so they would have something in their stomachs.  I heard stories of political violence, of devastating hurricanes, of the lack of education for children and adults.  But, as an employee of Church World Service (CWS), I also heard words of thanks from these same people, who explained how CWS and CROP Hunger Walks have changed their lives permanently, for the better.  CROP Hunger Walks have enabled women in Haiti to learn to read, to receive micro-loans, and to start businesses.  Men are learning new sustainable agriculture techniques and to feed their families.  Children can now go to school, when they had never dreamed of that possibility before.  And this is just one country! CROP Hunger Walks enable change and hope to be realized in 80 different countries, including right here in the U.S.  It is incredible to witness how small efforts make big differences, moving us toward a world where there's enough for all. Will you be a part of this transformation of lives?     The CROP Walk kicks off right after church.  Please consider walking, or sponsor someone who will.  This is fund raising we can all jump into.   Pastor Gary