Signings and More

If you have checked out other MG's blogs, you will already know about out mini signing tour this past weekend. As it turned out, the excitement was more ours than that of a particular readership in a certain city. Still, the nice little lulls we had gave us the chance to visit and chat up a storm, almost unawares of where we were... until customers would stop and join in. One of my personal highlights was to meet a personal blogging friend. I was delighted to see her smile in person and learn to say her name correctly. Thank you, Debora, for your surprise visit.

Another special treat of the day was the fact that we could enjoy lunch around the same table . . . rather than emailing each other and talking about what we are making (or not making) on a particular day.

The next stop we made was at a Ten Thousand Villages Store in Vancouver,

where we got in on an anniversary celebration. For 65 years, TTV has partnered with artisans in low income countries to provide a market for them and the ability to earn an honest living to sustain their families.
It's all about helping and providing for those less fortunate.

This brings me to another highlight of the weekend, when my H and I had the opportunity to attend a dinner where we learned more about the Water for Life Initiative by Global Aid Network, also known as GAiN.

 

A friend of ours has been involved in this work for about 7 years now and when he shared about how villages in Africa have been helped by the provision of a well, you can see how he has literally left part of his heart in these villages. Amazing stories . . .

I knew that poor drinking water causes a lot of illness and death, but I did not know that more children die of diseases related to contaminated water than the loss due to war, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, combined. Contaminated water is the silent killer . . . killing four thousand children every day.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Often, just 30 - 80 meters below their feet are aquifers of pure, disease-free drinking water. By drilling one deep-water well per village, Global Aid Network (GAiN) helps break the cycle of disease and death and transforms communities for a lifetime.

Once a deep-capped well is drilled, villages are challenged to be involved with additional opportunities that continue to improve their community. In each village, training is provided in well maintenance, repair and best water-use practices. People are educated about sanitation and hygiene practices and as a follow up, medical and dental clinics are provided, further demonstrating the love of God, in word and deed.

As it says on the GAiN website . . . In Africa they say, water is life . . . One water well can transform a village . . . lifestyles are transformed, economic activity is enthused . . . health is restored and hope is renewed.