Let's build a well in Kenya!

Hey guys! I recently posted this on facebook, and am looking for people to join with me in this cause! This is what I posted, read it and if you feel stirred to do so-- please join me in making this happen!

Hi everyone!! Ive recently been introduced to this organization called Generation Water. Generation water builds wells all around the world for people who cannot just turn on the faucet and have drink. Water is essential to life. Water is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Nearly 1 billion people around the world lack access to clean water. This is just unacceptable. SO-- I thought-- why not get a group together to build a well? No traveling, but giving. Give as generously as you drink water. Give so that others can live. Digging underground and building a well will give clean and safe drinking water for an entire village for 20 years. Its a really great cause.

It a very spontaneous idea on my part. But I cant know these statistics and not do something about it. One well costs $3000. If we all put our resources together, and saved for a bit if needed-- we could totally come up with, or MORE!! I am starting with committing $500 myself. Email me at Jenny_gulley@yahoo.com if you want to be involved in this. I hope you will! 

Go to the website: generositywater.com if you want more information on the organization!

NY times article.

So incredibly sad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/opinion/18sun2.html

Did you know...

Did you know that Russia has less than half the population of the U.S. And that number is falling fast. Russia's Health Ministry says that only 33% of the nation's newborns and 10% of its teens are healthy. TB is raging and the country has about 4 million heroine addicts. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and abortion have left over 20% of Russian couples infertile.

Did you know that state support ends for children in an orphanage at age 16 in most of the former USSR countries and they must leave. With no decision making or life skills, these orphans must find a job, an apartment and a life. Within 5 years, 90% of these orphans end up in crime, prison, prostitution, drug addiction, or homeless. ANOTHER 5% will have committed suicide. 

Did you know that MOST boys will commit crimes once leaving the orphanage. 

Did you know that Russia has one of the world's fastest growing HIV epidemics. Within 6 years, 5% of the population will be infected if this pattern continues. 

Did you know that there are more orphans on the streets of St. Petersburg than in the aftermath of World War II.

Did you know that between 1994 and 2003, the number of orphans  DOUBLED. 90% of these are social orphans. 

Did you know the male life expectancy in Russia has dropped dramatically to 57.8 years.




Just something to think about. A few things I bet you didn't know...

I am a tree....

I was talking to my roommate the other evening. We were sitting in our room, about to go to bed, and she was telling me about her easter weekend. She had gone up to Santa Barbara to visit her boyfriend, and while she was there met a couple that she couldn't stop talking about. She was waiting for her boyfriend to get out of class, and she came across this young homeless couple. She offered to buy them lunch, and they  gratefully accepted. She then sat down on the cement, and for the next hour or so she talked and got to know this couple. As she telling me this story, there was no pity for them. She truly saw past what everyone else sees. She said it was sad to sit there, and watch from their perspective, and see how people treat them. Averting their eyes, so as not to feel uncomfortable or obligated to say or do something. She just kept talking about how great they were, and how much she enjoyed their company. Anyways, it got me thinking-- it was a rude reality check for me. I sit here, and I want to do something to help people. But as I looked back on all the times I've had the opportunity to get to know someone, like this couple, I just give them money and feel like my duty is complete. But what changes our world isnt money. What changes lives isnt buying lunch for them. It is getting to know them. Sitting down, and treating with the same respect and integrity that you would your own mother, or roommate. It is looking into their eyes and seeing a person and a soul, not a charity case. Viewing them as better than yourself.

I don't know, her sincere joy after meeting these people was just beautiful to me. And I wanted to write about it. Because I just think, that is what it's all about, you know? I think so often we give money, or do charity work to make ourselves feel better and fulfill our obligations. When, it really isn't even about us, but we find a way to MAKE it about us, even if we don't realize it. It is about the other person. Or at least it should be. I don't know, something to think about.

Also, if you haven't read donald miller's "a million miles in a thousand years" - you need to. I read it this week, and was so incredibly moved and inspired by it. Touches home on a lot of different fronts. Here is one of my favorite things that he says:

"I am a tree in a story of a forest.... And the story of the forest is better than the story of the tree."

Easter.

Easter.

For some its bunnies and eggs and marshmallow treats. And its all those things to me too-- but when I woke up this morning, I could really only think of 2 words: blessed and thankful.

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5: 7-9

Im not a very good writer. I don't think Im very creative and eloquent with my words. I usually have tons of thoughts and feelings and have a really hard time verbalizing them and making them make any sense whatsoever. But I guess, to me at least, easter is pretty self explanatory. I don't need to add anything, or make it sound any more or less than what it is. And what it is, well, its incredible. The idea that a Being, the Being that created this entire world, and the heavens-- tried to communicate and show and prove just HOW much He loves us over and over again, while being rejected the whole time, did the unthinkable. He gave everything so that we wouldn't have to. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for people who wouldn't even acknowledge that He existed. It is a true love story with a fairytale ending. It doesn't take me adding anything to the story to make it sound amazing-- because it is amazing all by itself.


"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

We're All In This Together Trailer

Hi bloggersphere!

Well hello!! 

I have no idea what I am doing starting a blog! I'm not sure I have enough interesting ideas to write about. But- here goes nothing! (or everthing.. :) )

There's nothing in particular I really want to blog about or document. No really big trip, or huge event coming up in my life. Where to start where to start...

Weeeellll, I guess I will start with something God's put on my heart to do! A couple of years ago, when I was overseas working with orphanages in Ukraine, God really gave me a passion and love for these kids-- I was torn for them and as I prayed about it, I was really devastated at the lack of education and future that they have. But what could I do? I am an actress, a singer, and performer. I am the definition of a starving artist-  living paycheck to paycheck,  I mean I have to really think if I can spare a mere 20 bucks. But I WANTED to DO something. I needed to. You cant see these kids, love them for a week, and disappear and forget. Its utterly impossible. So, I was in Riga, Latvia- and we took the kids to see a movie- Eagle Eye (fantastic movie). And as I was watching that movie-- I knew what I could do! As much as I want to move overseas and become mother teresa- that isn't what God has put in my hands, in this moment. But I can do something with what He's given me. And so I had this idea to make a documentary. Im not sure how Im going to do it, I have no idea how to make a documentary. Im used to being in front of the camera, not behind it. I dont know how I am going to finance it. I dont know who will want to help me. Because I know whoever is going to be involved needs to have the same passion I do. But I DO know that it doesnt really matter. What matters is that God knows the answers to those questions, and so all I have to do is listen and wait and take one step at a time. 

So, not anything really exciting-- just a vision and a promise and a hope to make a difference -- however big or small. Well, it wont be small. Because, we serve a BIG God, and so nothing can be small with our big God. 

 

"For He will not speak His own message; but He will tell whatever He hears , and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come ."

John 16:13