Need vs. Want

In chapel the last couple of weeks we have talked a little bit about what Christmas is and what isn’t. This topic as discussed in conjunction with a food drive we were holding for our national workers and a toy-drive for TeacHaiti. We showed a couple of videos from the Advent Conspiracy which really make the point. Here is one of those videos.

Then you see photos like this one popping up on facebook. How true is this? What do we “need”?

This year and last year I’ve really been thinking about that. What would it look like if we gave instead of got? That sounds so pithy, but it’s true. Please don’t hear any self-righteousness in this post. I am one of the worst at this. I constantly have to define for myself what is a “need” and what is a “want,” and often I fail at rightly distinguishing between the two, but I'm trying. This year I want to give more, not just at Christmas, but all year long.

In Haiti, education for children is essential. It’s easy to read that and think “yeah, education for all children is essential.” And while I agree with that, I look outside my window at any point in the day and count half a dozen kids in a single glance selling random crap on the street because they don’t have the money to go to school. Education is essential, vital, necessary, (insert other synonym here), not only because it opens up more opportunities than the child would have without it, but also because most kids get at least one meal a day when they go to school that they might not get at home.

Here are the links to two amazing organizations that are feeding and educating children in Haiti. They are doing incredible work and providing hope to families here.

TeacHaiti - Miquette's organization. They are doing amazing things and always accepting donations. Check out the awesomeness that is TeacHaiti.

Mission of Hope - Mission of Hope has started an initiative to get 1,200 students' education sponsored by 2012. They are 30% of the way there.

Yes, it’s an investment, and yes, it’s not something you can wrap in shiny paper and see someone open on Christmas morning.

It's so much more.