Today is Blog Action Day 2010.  The topic this year is Water.

Today I got up and brushed my teeth, flushed my toilet and washed my hands.

“The average toilet uses 8 litres of clean water in a single flush.” Source

“Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.” Source

“Currently, a staggering 2.6 billion people live without a safe toilet.” Source

Today I showered and gave my son a bath.

“90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable.” Source

“An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a developing country slum uses in a whole day.” Source

Today I did the dishes.

“In Africa, women are predominantly responsible for collecting water. They walk over 40 billion hours each year carrying cisterns weighing up to 40 pounds to gather water for their community, which is usually still not safe to drink.” Source

“On average, women in Africa and Asia have to walk 3.7 miles to collect water.” Source

Today I drank more than 8 glasses of clean tap water.

“Polluted drinking waters are a problem for about half of the world’s population. Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-based diseases, resulting in roughly 5 to 10 million deaths.” Source

“884 million people lack access to safe drinking water.” Source

Today I turned my lights on, used a stove, and had power for my computer.

“In the United States alone, on just one average day, more than 500 billion liters of freshwater travel through the country’s power plants—more than twice what flows through the Nile.” Source

“A single Google search takes about half a milliliter of water. Just a few drops, really. But the 300 million searches we do a day take 150 000 liters. That’s a thousand bathtubs of water to power the data centers that handle the world’s idle curiosity.” Source

Today, like most days, I didn’t really think about the amount of water I was using.

“A typical individual in the United States uses 500 litres of water each day… The recommended daily water requirement for sanitation, bathing, cooking and consumption is approximately 50 litres per person per day… Over 1 billion people use less than 6 litres of water per day.” Source

Sort of puts things in perspective doesn’t it?

Honestly, though I see these numbers and the disparity between my water use and the water availability for the poorest of the poor and I feel lost as to what to do about it. I have a hard time seeing how me taking a shorter shower will really help. It seems like that just makes it so that the water plant in my area will have more water, but it doesn’t really help anyone who really needs the water. Here are some ways that we can help those who actually do need the water though:

• Take a stand and support clean water everywhere by signing this petition supporting the United Nations work to improve water and sanitation for billions.
• Raise money to help build a well in Africa through Charity: Water. All of the money you raise goes to people in need and within 12-18 months they will send you a picture and other documentation about the well that was built with the money you raised.

Here are some ways you can donate money to  bring clean water to those who need it most through these other great non-profit organizations:

• water.org
• The water Project
• Living Water International

Here is a short prayer I wrote on behalf of those living with unclean water, or no water at all:

Living Water, Breath of God,
we all need water in order to live and prosper,
we ask you to send rain to those places which are in drought,
And send workers to those places which are in need.
Living Water, Breath of God,
teach us how each of us can bring your kingdom to those who are thirsty.
show us how we can give a cup of water to a stranger who needs it.
Living water, Breath of God,
we recognize that many die needlessly because of water issues,
And we ask that this would not continue.
May those of us who have abundant water not waste it,
but instead may we recognize that every drop is a gift
and remember that there are many who don’t have access to clean water at all.
May those of us who have abundant water
seek out ways that we can provide water for those who do not.
Living Water, Breath of God,
make us into water bearers who carry life giving water into the world.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Rejoicing in the journey -

Bethany Stedman

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“As I sit to write this I cannot but help being reminded of the last time I had to write this kind of email, and the deep gratitude it gives me to be able to send an email to everyone we know, that is so full of joy! I am amazed at the gravity and polarization that comes from the weight of both deep sorrow and tragedy, and great joy and redemption. I cannot help but pause, and silently kneel to the ground, put my face in the dirt, and offer praise to my Holy and Sovereign God. He counts my steps, He directs my path, and He leads me according to His purpose.

We just got the call, Renee’ and I are adopting our son Keane Malachi Bergmen no later than this Monday, July 27th. He is being delivered by C-section, which will serve as the ultimate antithesis of the sorrow and pain of losing Titus in a C-section delivery room. A room that was full of silence, will be filled with crying. He will cry because it is cold and he is hungry and has just been pulled from his environment, where he felt safe and secure, we will weep for joy because we are cold and hungry and are being pulled from our environment where we have felt unsafe, and insecure. God will remind us that He is our only hope and our salvation, and we will point every ounce of it to the glory of His great name. I cannot wait to lift Keane in the same way I did Titus and offer him back to the Lord, to serve Him all the days of his life.”

If you are interested in helping support them financially in this adoption you can do so by sending a check or via paypal. The information is here http://www.cjbergmenmusic.com/wordpress/?p=269

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany

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“There, but by the grace of God go I.”

My mom had taught me this saying that we could never really think better of ourselves than others because really we are just like them. Without God’s grace and different circumstances and choices in our lives we might be in the exact place. But, I realized something as I thought about this saying. It doesn’t really teach what it’s intending to teach. It’s suppose to show us that we can’t look down on other people or judge them and we should instead be thankful that by God’s grace we aren’t in the situation that they are in. It’s supposed to show us our commonality as human brothers and sisters.

But, think about this saying for a moment, “There, but by the grace of God, go I.” As I thought about it I realized that it doesn’t minimize pride it magnifies it. It focuses not on our commonalities with our brothers and sisters who suffer, but on our differences. Yes, we recognize that they are in some ways like us but in the same breath we recognize that by God’s grace we aren’t them and we have it better than they do. Yes, we say it is by God’s grace that we have it different, but doesn’t that imply that God’s grace doesn’t also extend to the needy brother that we pass by? And really don’t we sort of think that yes it’s by God’s grace, but God’s grace is extended to me because well, I’m better – I didn’t make the mistakes that person made, I haven’t sinned like that person has, etc.

As I thought about this more I could see how some could say this saying in a way that had much more in common with Pharisee in Luke 18 than with genuine humility and thankfulness.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

“There, but by the grace of God, go I.” Doesn’t connect people. It divides them. Even though it seems to acknowledge our similarities it says that by the grace of God that person is less than me and thanks God that I am not like him. Maybe instead of saying “There, but by the grace of God, go I.” We should say simply “There go I.” And remember that the needy brother or sister at our side is no different than us and we are no different than them. Or maybe instead we should say, “There goes Christ.” Remembering that whatever we do to the least of these we do unto Christ himself.

I think sometimes the place to start in changing our actions is changing our thought process and so I am trying to change the way I think and the language I use towards those who appear more needy than I appear to be.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany

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Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

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The Malouf Family and their hope and passion for the body of Christ in America

Love God Love People and their vision to dynamically love people particularly in Arizona and Mexico

Barb Iverson with Young Life here in Prague

The Springer Family with Christian Associates here in Prague

IDEAS and their vision for international development and education

The Stewart Family with World Harvest and their vision for artists in Prague

Nuru International and their vision for Africa

Blankets for Babies and their vision to give warm and comfort to needy children

Kara Maddox with Christian Associates in Prague

The Mudrik Family and their vision for a retreat center in Prague

Jane and Martin Hasik with Young Life here in Prague

I hope you enjoyed this series as much as I enjoyed bragging on my friends. And I hope you join me in praying for them and sending a little support their way. May God bless each of them and may God bless you!

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany

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Jane and Martin (and their beautiful new baby girl, Sofia) are a couple that I truly admire. Jane is becoming one of my closest friends here in Prague and I love her creativity and gentle heart. I don’t know Martin quite as well, but whenever we have hung out with him I always feel very impressed with his insight and his heart for God and the students he ministers to.

Jane and Martin work with Young Life International. Martin leads up the team here and has a wonderful passion for drawing students to Christ in a lasting and authentic manner. I thought it would be fun to do another interview so I had Jane answer a few questions for me:

ME: Ok, to start would you tell us a little bit about yourselves, where are you from and how did you met?

JANE: Martin and I met during a Young Life Internship training time in Germany in 2003. I was doing a two-year internship in Lisbon, Portugal and Martin was working with Young Life here in Prague. All of the interns across Europe came together every 6 weeks or so for training, spiritual development and fellowship. As I learned more about Martin and heard more of his story, his faith and his desire for students to know Jesus…I was more and more attracted to and fell in love with this interesting Czech man! 

We started to date long-distance, got engaged in 2004 and married in 2005 

ME: For a fun question what is each of your favorite movie and why?

JANE: Some of my favorite movies include Love Actually, Royal Tenenbaums, Ocean’s Eleven,…Raising Helen…

And for Martin, he really enjoys seeing movies which are based on a true story, like Band of Brothers or the Miracle. 

ME: How did you each come to follow Christ?

JANE: When I was 14, these really cool college-aged Young Life leaders started showing up in my life. My brother had started being interested in Christ and became good friends with these leaders. They cam over for dinner, and we started being friends. I was so curious how/why they had so much joy and how following Christ influenced their lives. I went to a Young LIfe camp in upper-state New York, where the Gospel of Jesus Christ was presented in a way that I could relate to and understand and accept. Since then, I have continued to ask questions and be intrigued with the person of Jesus Christ. 

Martin has a completely different kind of story…and I would feel like I am cheating you if I tell it!

ME: What is something that God seems to be teaching or showing you or drawing out in you lately?

JANE: God has been carefully taking me into a whole bunch of new things….a season of newness. New role as a mother, a new year, new projects, new areas of ministry….I am learning to embrace change around me and inside of me. After some REALLY big transitions in my life a few years ago, I have been putting a lot of energy in making things more secure/permanent/unchanging. Now God is helping me loosen my grip on many of these things. It is a freeing and a scary feeling. But God’s style and design is so beautiful and it so fun to seen what happens when I let go. 

I am learning that I, myself, am a work in progress that He is carrying out until completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 1)

ME: Describe Prague and your impressions of the Czech Republic in a few sentences.

JANE: Prague, aside from being a stunningly beautiful historical metropolitan city, has a very personal feel to me. I am connected to a family here. My husband, Martin, and his family have lived in Prague their whole lives, so the more time I spend here and the more I get to know Prague, the more I am getting to know these people whom I love very much. 

This country is beautiful in the lines that aren’t straight and the things that are out of place. There is a sense of playfulness and creativity..in the playground designs, mosaics on plain cement buildings, moving sculptures in the river, which change the mood of even the dreariest neighborhoods. 

ME: Tell us a little bit about the work that you do with Young Life.

JANE: Very basically, we believe that students are worth getting to know and it is through authentic relationships that the message of Christ makes sense. We desire to build life-long relationships with them, love them and communicate Jesus in a way that is relevant to them…and be a part of their lives regardless of what they believe. 

We do this by sharing meals together, going camping, having regular activities, teaching them skills (photography, languages, sports), going into their world (graduation dances, birthday parties). 

So, I hope you enjoyed getting to know Jane and Martin. They are truly a wonderful couple.

And as part of my $12 dollars of Christmas series I encourage you to join me in praying for the Hasik family and I also encourage you to join me in sending $1 (or more) to them to help support them and further the work God is doing through them. To do that please go to the Young Life web site https://giving.younglife.org/starthere.aspx and click on one time gift, then designate the gift to go to “A Young Life Staff Member’s Ministry” and search for Jane Hasik.

Lord, thank you for the Hasik’s and the work that they do in Prague. Thank you for the ways that you’ve touched and changed students lives through them and continue to do so. Lord, I pray for them as they continue to enter a new season of life as a family with a new baby and a new season in ministry as well – I pray that you would use the changes in their life to bring them closer to you and closer to each other. I pray that you would bless them and continue to show your love, grace and forgiveness to many through them.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

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Elaine and Marek Mudrik and their five kids are seriously one of my favorite families ever. They are bringing God’s kingdom in Prague in many beautiful and unique ways. I wish I could say that I know them well, but honestly I really only feel like I know them from afar (at least at this point). But, even from the brief occasional interactions I’ve had with Elaine, Marek and their children I have learned so much. In fact just this past week God spoke to me so clearly through a conversation I had with Elaine and it was such a moment of healing, repentance and redemption for me that I really feel changed.

The Mudrik’s have been in ministry in Prague for quite a while now and it seems they are involved with a number of different things here, but the thing that I am most excited to tell you about is their farm and the vision they have for it. Marek and Elaine recently bought a farm in Divoka Sarka (a national park on the edge of Prague). The property has 3 buildings that will be turned into homes and an old barn that will be turned into a conference/retreat center. They also hope to have a garden and some animals (goats, chickens, etc) and a prayer garden.

They wrote about the farm on their web site describing it through this beautiful picture:

“The home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha in Bethany seems to have been one of Jesus’ favorite places to go. We’d like our home to be like Martha’s – a place of service; like Mary’s – a place where one can sit at the feet of Jesus and receive things that will not be taken away from them; and like Lazarus’ – a place of healing, hope and even new life! All of us are like travelers on the journey of life and when we get tired or hurt it is a blessing to find a safe and welcoming place of rest.
At the same time, a place of rest is not a place of hiding. Jesus left Bethany for Jerusalem to fulfill his life’s calling. We seek rest to be healed, changed, and empowered to return to life and face its challenges with clearer purpose and greater confidence. We believe that God has been calling us to help create a place like this here in the Czech Republic – perhaps one of many such places around Europe and the world.”

I love this vision of a “family or a community, which creates a specific spiritual atmosphere, lives out certain values and even has a specific spiritual rhythm of life” (quoted from their web site). It’s beautiful and it’s definitely something that Bryan and I want to pray for and support. And I encourage you to do the same.

Currently the houses at the farm are in need of serious restoration. They are without sewage systems, running water and many of the amenities that we consider necessary in the modern age. The Mudrik’s and our friends the Schwender’s (who will also be living in one of the homes at the farm) have plans in the works for reconstructing the buildings of the farm, but it will be a lot of work and will require the prayers, help and support (both financially and otherwise) of many for the vision to fully come together.

I love that even the buildings themselves and the property as a whole has to be restored and in its own way healed before it can be a place of healing and restoration for many. I feel like the work of restoring the farm is a beautiful picture of the restoration they pray will happen in people’s lives through this place.

If you want to learn more about this beautiful family and their vision for this retreat center and community please visit their web site.

I also ask that you would join Bryan and I in praying for the Mudrik’s and for the farm in Divoka Sarka. Pray that it would be the place of redemption, restoration, rest and healing that they desire. I also invite you to join Bryan and I in giving $1 dollar (or more) to the Mudrik’s and their vision for a haven of hope in the Czech Republic. You can do this by sending cash, spare change or a check (made out to Vineyard Christian Church with Prague Mission on the memo line) to:

Marek and Elaine Mudrik
812 Lynn Lee Drive,
Averdeen, MD 21001

If you live in the Czech Republic you can also donate by depositing money in the Mudrik’s account (acct. number 1420279153/0800).

Lord, you are the giver of dreams and visions and I thank you for the beautiful vision that you have given Marek and Elaine for the Czech Republic and for this much needed retreat in Prague. Lord, I pray for the farm as it is being restored and reconstructed – I pray that you would lead even in that very physical, detail work. I pray that as they draw floor plans and rebuild these buildings that they would do more than just rebuild a building, but that they would build up spaces for healing to happen, spaces for growth to unfold, spaces for your spirit to indwell. Lord, I pray that you would permeate the buildings and grounds of the farm so that all who step foot there now, during the construction, and in the months and years to come would walk away restored and rested, served and loved, healed and having heard from you. Lord, make the farm in Divoka Sarka into a “thin place”, a place where people experience a deep sense of your presence.  Lord, I ask that you would hand pick the community that lives there on a regular, daily biases – as you build up and reconstruct the buildings, build up and reconstruct a community of people who, though unique and called to a unique and individual journey with you, would also be knit together and woven into a true community that would love each other and, through their proximity and your spirit at work within and between them, share life together. I pray that you would be preparing those who would live full time at the farm for lives of service and love for those who would pass through for times of retreat, prayer, and rest. Lord, bless this venture – bless it and use it as a blessing for many here in the Czech Republic and all around the world.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

Photograph by Beth Stedman

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This post is part of the 12 Dollars of Christmas series I’m doing, sharing with you about different charities and people who are making a difference for God’s kingdom and asking you to join me in praying for them and in giving $1 dollar (or more) to each of them.

Kara Maddox came to Prague in February of this past year for a one year internship with our church and Christian Associates International. She quickly fell in love with the city and its people. Kara is originally from Texas, but has spent the last few years before coming to Prague living in California. Before Christian Associates, Kara worked as a professional photographer, showing her work in galleries around the Bay area. 

Kara has done a lot since coming to Prague and I know that the past year has been incredibly shaping for her. She started teaching English at a high school right after arriving in Prague and has developed a number of relationships with her students throughout the year. Kara has also continued to use her love for photography and has started a photography club with her students – teaching them about photography and just giving them opportunities to try new things photographically. Kara has also volunteered with Young Life here in Prague and been a part of the summer English camps that happen all over the Czech Republic.

A few Sundays ago Kara also led our home group church community in a really nice discussion about the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth and the story of John the Baptist’s birth. We had a nice talk and prayer time and then she lead us in a creative expression exercise that was a great end to the evening.

Kara’s internship with Christian Associates ends in February and she will be heading back to the states for a time to raise money so that she can come back to Prague for long term ministry. If you want to learn more about Kara and what she is doing in Prague and will be doing in Prague you can do so by visiting her blog.

And as part of my $12 dollars of Christmas series I encourage you to join me in praying for Kara over the Christmas season and I also encourage you to join me in sending $1 (or more) to her this Christmas to help further the work that God is doing through her. You can do this by going to Christian Associates web site. Click the “give now” button and then designate Kara Maddox in the Missionaries and Projects section. All contributions are tax deductible.

Lord, I thank you for bringing Kara to Prague and for the work that you’ve done in her and through her while she’s been here. Lord, I pray for her as she finishes up this last little bit of her internship with Christian Associates – I pray that she would end well. I pray that you would give her the strength, resources and support to finish the year as a strong influence for your kingdom here in Prague. Lord, I ask that her time of raising support back in the states would be a wonderful time of true preparation and growth for her and that you would bring her back to Prague with strengthened vision, new freedom, and deep hope.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

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Blankets for Babies is a charity organization started by some family friends of mine in Arizona. This organization has a simple mission to make quality blankets and give them away to as many hurting, cold, and impoverished children as possible around the world. Here’s what the organizations Founder, Lindsay Hughey, writes about it:

“It was their faces. It started with the faces of countless children in snapshots, on television, and those I saw with my own eyes when I would travel to other countries. It was the fear and pain I could see in their eyes. It was the environment around them. Despair and insecurity that no child on Earth should ever have to face, was a routine part of their lives.
It struck a chord deep within me. It touched me, but I wasn’t sure what I could do about it. I tried to comfort my own heart, tried to find a way to understand how fortunate I was to feel the love, safety, and security of friends and family around me. It was then that a distant childhood memory gave me the answer. It perfectly captured that physical expression of hope and love. I realized that I knew a way I could give them that same warmth and provide them a feeling of security. A blanket. We could give each of them a blanket.”

And that’s exactly what this beautiful organization has gone about doing. They make quality blankets make with Chenille fabric and a satin trim in a size that is perfect for newborns to 5 year olds. And then they distribute these blankets to children in need all over the world. Their blankets have gone to South Africa, Australia, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Guatemala, Poland, Tanzania, Romania, and a number of shelters, hospitals and agencies in the Phoenix area. Hopefully soon their blankets will be coming to the Czech Republic J

This is a wonderful organization and I highly encourage you to check out their web site and read through their facts page.

As part of my $12 dollars of Christmas campaign I also encourage you to join me in praying for Blankets for Babies and to join me in sending $1 (or more) to help support them and further the work God is doing through them. You can donate by visiting this page on their web site.

Lord, thank you for the love and comfort that you freely poor out on all of your children. I pray that you would bless Blankets for Babies and that through them you would both physically and spiritually pour out your love, comfort and peace on children all over the world. Lord, I pray that you would expand this organization and the reach that they have around the US and around the world.  I pray that through them you would bring comfort, warm and security in small and big ways to many who are today cold, sick and hurting.

Rejoicing in the journey -
Bethany Stedman

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I first heard about Nuru from my friend Sarah Springer, because she personally knows some of the people involved with this organization.

Nuru is a Kiswahili word that means light and that’s what this organization is doing – bringing light and hope. As an organization Nuru defines themselves as “A grassroots movement of thousands who have grown tired of waiting for someone else to end extreme poverty in Africa.” They are currently launching their Pilot Seed Project in Kuria, Kenya. This project in Kenya is doing a lot to improve the lives of many in Kuria and as I thought about writing about what they are doing it felt like it would be better for you to hear it directly from them, so if you are passionate about ending poverty or have any interest at all in the current state of life in Africa please visit their web site to find out more.

A few of the team members in Kuria have blogs, so you can read about the health classes they taught there and about the clean water project they are working on by going to Jake’s Blog, Nicole’s Blog, or Janine’s Blog. Or you can visit the official Nuru Blog page for even more information.

As part of my $12 dollars of Christmas campaign I also encourage you to join me in praying for NURU today and to join me in sending $1 (or more) to help further the work they are doing in Africa. To find out how to donate visit their donation page on their web site.

Lord, I pray that you would bless the work that Nuru is doing and that you would use it to improve the lives of many in Africa.

Rejoicing in the journey –
Bethany Stedman

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