Taking a short break (well, a long break I guess you could say) from my list of favorites to tell you about something that I find important.

Heard of World Vision? Maybe you have, maybe you havnt. I had heard of this organization before, but simply sound-bites from friends. I learned a lot about World Vision a lot this past week thanks for an exhibit called When I first heard of this event I was super excited. Just the idea of learning of the stories of four children and being a sponsor myself (through Compassion, but still a sponsor). Of course I jumped at the chance and told my church who also thinks very highly of World Vision. Im going to try and explain what this exhibit is and all about. I dont feel I do a very good job at describing it, so bare with me. Its an exhibit set up to tell stories for four different kids who live in Africa whos lives have been effected by AIDS. Now, I dont know much about AIDS. I probably should be more educate that I am. Thanks to World Vision, Im a step in the right direction to learn much more about it. My first experience was when I volunteered to help run the exhibit. The staff at World Vision wants all its volunteers to experience what they are helping be apart of. You are given an orange iPod shuffle and instructions by the narrator whos in your ears to become a child. The narrator tells you took the door with your name (the child you have been asked to become) on it. The first story I walked through was Babirye. She was my favorite of them all, since I got the chance to walk through them all over the weekend. Maybe it was Babirye beautiful face that I saw the moment I pulled the curtain to the first room. I listened to her story, how she is part of a twin set and of her sick mother. Alone, I walked through rooms that showed Babirye home, country, her clothes through photos and props. Some props matching what I saw in the photos. Next, I sat in the health clinic, waiting for my turn to find out wether I (B—) had AIDs. This was the only part of the exhibit where I was with other people. I place my hand out to get stamped and down came a red cross. I had the “big disease” and was asked to sit in the area of the clinic that was reserved for people who had AIDs. My heart feel for this little girl, who had suffered so much at such a young age. As much as it could at the moment, I let the heaviness of of Babirye story set in as I walked into the chapel. There were dozens of pictures, many who had passed away from AIDS. As I starred at the wall of children that people could support through World Vision, all effected by AIDs I wanted to grab all of their photos. I wanted to know every single one of their stories. As I walked out, putting my thoughts to process aside to volunteer, what I was there to do. I saw a lot of people come through the exhibit that I knew. One of my high schoolers parents came through and we talked a bit about the experience something was said that was sobering “The American church can not ignore this.” I could not agree more, but even now I cant tell you all that it means. Its a heavy statement but at the same time so very simple. How can the American church know about this and not set a side $35 dollars a month to send to a kid who doesnt have anything and we have more than enough? Why is it so hard to give up those thing we just cant give up for the sake of another? I dont have the answers, but Im thankful for the Step into Africa exhibit to be awareness to the church and the country. Im glad its raising questions and stirring hearts. I dont know where readers of this blog might be, but just in case Im posting the cities that this exhibit its going to be at with its dates. If its anywhere near you, make a point to go. Its free and open to the public, if its bit of a drive for you, stay and walk through more than one story, they about a half hour at the longest each. Its a really powerful and great experience that I highly recommend to everyone I know. Check it out.

9.6.08-9.14.08 Glen Ellyn IL
First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn

9.12.08-9.15.08 Charlotte NC
St. Johns Episcopal Church

9.18.08-9.23.08
Turlock CA
New Life Christian Center

9.20.08-9.23.08
Jamestown NY
Jamestown Partnership

9.25.08-9.29.08
Dallas GA
West Ridge Church

9.30.08-10.3.08
Loveland CO
Crossroads Church

10.3.08-10.6.08
Sewickley PA
St. Stephens Church and Chippewa Evangelical Free Church

10.9.08-10.13.08
Ft. Collins CO
Colorado State University

10.10.08-10.13.08
Bethlehem PA
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem

10.18.08-10.20.08
Fargo ND
Atonement Lutheran Church

10.23.08-10.27.08
Chelmsford MA
Grace Community Church

10.24.08-10.27.08
Otsego MN
Elk River Community

10.31.08-11.3.08
Edina MN
Colonial Church of Edina and Christ Presbyterian Church

11.7.08-11.10.08
Cedar Falls IA
Orchard Hill Church

11.14.08-11.18.08
Bethpage NY
Shelter Rock Church & Arumdaum Presbyterian Church

11.20.08-11.24.08
Bellingham WA
Bellingham Initiative

12.4.08-12.8.08
Richland WA
Bethel Church

12.12.08-12.15.08
Redmond WA
Overlake Christian Church