Weekend of the Cross / Trinity UMC

Wow, I am amazed. God is working to raise this money even when I am not around. I want to thank the Weekend of the Cross crew. You raised $698 in one night! I want to thank Trinity UMC, you raised $1,243 in one service! I believe now more than ever before, God IS alive and active today. We are all living proof He does exist and He would do anything to provide for His children - no matter where we live on the planet!

Update

I wanted to say thank you to Doug McGuire for donating today. I also wanted to update everyone on how much we have raised thus far: $1,785! Isn't that amazing. I can't wait to send it to World Vision to have the well dug. It will be a WONDERFUL day. :)

More thank you's

I wanted to say thank you to Yanelia Shaw. She ran into me at Wal-Mart today and donated. THANK YOU! You are only the second person to stop me in public. I also wanted to thank Bart and Amy Barrett. Amy, thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.

Digging A Well

For those people who are visiting my blog for the first time, I felt I might need to say something about why I am doing this. You could go back and read through my archived posts, but not many people have that kind of time. :) I am hoping to dig a well in a waterless village in Africa. (Through World Vision) It costs $16,000 to dig a well. In many parts of Africa children have no choice but to drink disease-infested water from surface lakes and ponds. By digging a well in a waterless village, we can provide 2,800 gallons of clean, safe water a day for 300 people!!!! WE can keep kids in school instead of having them spend 8 hours of their day fetching water for their families; water that can make them sick....water that in some cases have killed children. If you feel led, PLEASE be a part of this. YOU can save lives!!!!

God is Good.

Three more contributors!!! Thank you Jimmie Shahan, Kathy Warren and Claudia Long! We are up to $965 of donations straight to me and $300 given straight to World Vision. That's a total of $1,265. I am AMAZED at how God uses us. I know I say it a lot, but thank you all for being a part of this mission.

Africa

Africa is on my mind tonight. I was sitting down to read a book - Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. It is a really good book. It is about finding the life that God promised us. Finding out that my heart is good and God dwells in my heart. YOUR hearts are good too and He dwells in you.... Each page made me think about Africa. I had to get up and start writing. I want to help the children and the women; the men that want the best for their families. God can do this. God is bringing people together to spread His Word. How amazing would it be to build a well in a waterless village in the NAME and POWER of God?! One day, His name and story will be known through out the world.

Up to $900!

We are up to $900! It is amazing. I wanted to thank a few more contributors - April Pye, Pauline Hynson, Jean and Steve Hollis and Brad and Tiffany Granderson. Thank you for ALL of your help. :)

Casi

Casi Clarkson, thank you for the donation. I can't believe how many people have seen the article and are supporting this cause. I get soo excited thinking about the lives we are going to touch. Your donation will help save lives - thank you!

WOW!

WOW! Thanks Warren Watson for the donation. I am very humbled by your generosity. Keep coming back to the blog site because I am hoping to add a section that shows how much we have raised thus far and up date it on a weekly basis.

Two more donations

I wanted to thank Judith Roberts and Janet Johnson for donating today. I am so excited that the newspaper article is reaching people in Ruston. THANK YOU for helping to change peoples lives. Thank you.

FRONT PAGE ARTICLE

Check out my article in the Ruston Daily Leader that came out today.

Ruston Daily Leader :)

I got a call from Ruston's local newspaper today, from a reporter named Judith. She was asked to write a story about me. I am sooo excited. I met with her to discuss how this all got started. When it comes out, I will try to post the article on the blog or send out an e-mail so you all can read it. I am sooo excited. The more people who know, the more people will help. :)

Thanks Ryan!

Thanks Ryan Richard for donating! I appreciate your generosity. Be sure to tell others about the cause!

World Vision

World Vision has just received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the amount of $250,000. The money is going to children and families in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo! I am soo happy that God has put it on their hearts to give. I just wanted to take the time to remind all of you that your monetary gift will go to World Vision when we have reached the goal of $16,000. This will provide a deep water well in communities that do not have clean water. Clean water can prevent illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, and chronic diarrhea. It will enable children to go to school because they won't have to walk for hours everyday to get clean water. It will allow farmers to grow food! It WILL SAVE LIVES. I was sent another article about a little girl who died recently from diarrhea. Her mother was with her at 1:35 in the morning and all she could do was cry for her daughter. Can you imagine?! As a mother myself, I can not imagine sitting by my child and not being able to provide the one thing that could save him/her. I would move mountains to save my children. Clean water could have prevented this. To those of you who have donated - THANK YOU. To those of you visiting this site, don't take this calling lightly. You have the opportunity to change an entire generation of people. I love you all! Jill

Lunch at Chili's

Steve and I went on an afternoon date today. We ate at Chili's, before we left the restaurant I left a bottle of water on the table and a copy of the flyer Steve made for me. So, if the waitress who served us happens to check out this web site I just wanted to say thanks for a GREAT meal and I hope you enjoy this site. :)

Gave another bottle away! :)

Hey Everyone, Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been on VACATION! :) I am back now so I am looking forward to writing again. Today I went out shopping with my dad and brother. While we were out, Debbie Maynard inquired about my backpack. I was able to give her a bottle of water. Debbie, if you read this, thanks for inquiring about the backpack. Every time that happens, I get more motivated to stick to my commitment. :) Also want to send a thanks to my mom for donating straight to World Vision on my behalf. I love you. One last thank you goes out to Jeremy and Elizabeth - I appreciate your support. I will write again soon. Love in Christ Jill