Ysabela and her minion cookie jar!
It’s fair week once again. Kids are completing projects for 4H, and parents are stressing along with them. Bela decided to do a minion cookie jar, and she finished it a few hours ago. Now all tha remains to be done with it is bake two dozen cookies and get it to the fair grounds in the morning. Her other projects include two photo groupings in the heritage category and poultry. The poultry show is Saturday morning.
I have been checking various websites to discover information about volunteer opportunities. I have read about Mercy Ships and Global Volunteers, etc. What I have discovered is that it costs quite a bit of money to spend my time helping communities around the world.
When I think of volunteerism, I think of making contacts in the desired location, buying a plane ticket, packing light and a tight budget! Nowadays, there are other costs involved. I can understand that arrangements have to be made for housing and logistics, but spending $2000 or more to be able to serve seems over the top to me. Does it sound reasonable to you?
Missionaries will tell you that they have a lot of added stress in addition to their ministry responsibilities when a group decides to come over to volunteer building or teaching (or whatever else they are able to do). I can totally understand that. After all, housing even a small group can be challenging. To charge $2000 per person doesn’t seem realistic, however. Volunteers should be prepared to cover their airfare, food and lodging. It would seem that only independently wealthy volunteers could afford that plus the extra fees!
So how can a family group (for example) go on a volunteer/service trip? As I mentioned before, make some contacts. Look for people in your church (if you attend) who know people, find out if other churches sponsor any missionaries in your preferred location. Do you know a teacher who has traveled? Maybe a friend of a friend has been to a place you find interesting. Just check references, ask questions and verify everything before planning your trip. Make sure you have a safe place to land when you arrive!
Consider me one of your contacts. I know people in Mexico, and my daughter and I lived in a Mayan village for five years. If you have veterinary skills, a heart for animal rescue and determination, I can give you names of people to contact. If you want to collect supplies for schools serving poverty-stricken areas, I know teachers who would welcome a visit from you. Elvira, a friend of mine runs a school in Guinea. She needs donations, supplies and support. Her ministry is sponsored by a church in North Carolina called El Buen Pastor, but Elvira covers her own expenses. Anyone who volunteers would have to do the same, but there are many options for fundraising. Just think about it!
Use your talents in your community whenever possible, but don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. If you have the heart to serve others, you will seek out opportunities. Doors will open if you’re meant to go.
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/dates_and_fees/AllFees.asp
http://volunteer.mercyships.org/volunteer/finances-for-volunteers/
http://afunketimeintanzania.blogspot.com/2014/07/10-things-missionaries-wont-tell-you.html
http://www.colegioelbuenpastor.com/author/ailen
Last night the fire department had a fundraiser. The guys cooked pulled pork and brisket, and there were cookies, drinks, beans and chips to go along with the main course. The boot was set out, and all donations were welcome for a meal.
It looked like half the town (or more) showed up for supper! Awesome! I was running a few minutes late due to a bout of “words with friends” on Facebook (thanks, David!). Moving on….when I arrived, the guys asked if I had seen the banner I had made for the department. It was hanging on the gate. I went around to take a look. The guys were very happy with it; it could be seen for blocks! Thank you, Lyndsay, for making me look smart! She did all of the work; I just chose the design.
Looking good!
I usually am not much of a carnivore, but I didn’t have lunch. I was hungry! The guys loaded up my plate, and I took it home to eat. I hate eating in crowded places. (Yes, I know I’m weird.) That food was some of the BEST ever! Now I know why we have a good crowd when the guys cook.
Aside from the benefit of great cooking, firefighters are a valuable asset to any community. Fire departments across the nation need volunteers. If you are interested in being involved, please contact your local department. You are needed!
And this is what happens when I get a day off….
Princess Jinx
Jinx the cowgirl…um…dog!
Firefighter Jinx!
Bela and Gen exploring at the river.
Freddy painted this for me. I love it!
Once upon a time in Mexico….
The following responses are things I wish I could say to people who ask silly and/or rude questions or make comments that are offensive. Some people do not realize how offensive some remarks can be, so consider this a heads up.
Offensive Remark #1 (to parent of homeschooled children): What about socialization?
What I want to sarcastically say: I’m totally against it! The kids spend most of the day locked in the closet.
The reality is that most homeschooled kids are very well socialized. You appear uneducated when you make a comment like this because you have obviously confused socializing with socialization. Socializing as we know it refers to hanging out with friends in social situations. Socialization refers to getting along and acting appropriately with people of all ages. Most homeschooled children are able to appropriately interact with adults, peers, etc., with little trouble. Parents go out of their way to have interaction with homeschool groups and play groups as well as shuttle the kids to dance class, the library, church, museums and the local nursing home. I think that covers socialization quite well.
Offensive Remark #2 (to parent of homeschooled children): Aren’t there some “gaps” in their education?
What I want to say: Why do you consider it your business? What do you remember from high school? Can you give an example of an isotope? Can you tell me what you know about fractals? When you give me a confused look, I can then tell you, “Oh, I see I found your gaps!” Face it—we all have them. The reality is that education and intelligence are partly about knowing where to find information not stored in our heads!
Offensive Remark #3: People should choose a spouse that is of the same race.
What I want to say: Are you referring to the human race?
The reality is people are people. No race is better than another.
These three examples are the ones that bug me a lot, but there are more. Others include (but are not limited to) things like: Why can’t everyone speak English? We should send all the foreigners back to their home countries. I’m sure you can add your own examples. I am trying to be less judgmental and more thoughtful. I wish others would do the same.
We used to take the kids to this duck pond in Virginia.
If you have been reading the blog lately, you are aware that we recently adopted dog number three. 🙂 Her name is Jinx, and she’s a white chi mix with very sharp teeth. She started out on her best behavior, of course. According to Bela and her bestie Gen, the “honeymoon” is over! Last night the girls took her out to play, and they came in looking disheveled, leaves and grass in their hair and teeth marks on them! The puppy won the battle and the war!
They told a horrific tale about getting bitten, chased and mauled by a 10-pound pup. Oh, the humanity! As you might imagine, I got a tummy ache from laughing so hard. After all, a little dog like that is infinitely more manageable than a 100-pound dog, right? The girls do not agree. I heard shrieking outside and looked out the window. As a witness to the “attacks,” I can only say the kids were stretched out in the grass laughing. Not exactly convincing “victims” of a brutal “puppy attack,” am I right?
This little girl looks way too innocent to be so rotten. I think the girls decided to make up a story for my sympathy. If Jinx bit them, she was only trying to “taste” her favorite kids. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! Judge for yourself—does this look like the face of a vicious pup?
Jinx!
What innocence!
An English translation of Yoani Sánchez's blog Generación Y, from Havana, Cuba
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