So, if you follow me on Twitter, you probably read that I am participating in an event called ‘The 25 Campaign.’ I haven’t posted about anything like that before so it might have seemed a bit confusing. Because of this, I figured it would be best to try to explain where it is coming from.
It started back when I was a freshman in high school. I was quite the little religious one. I actually used to want to be a missionary. I loved the idea of helping people. I loved the idea of loving people. What made me change my mind by junior year was the idea of attaching myself to a specific belief system. While I don’t think there is anything wrong with the way others do their “mission work,” I felt it wasn’t the best way for me. I wanted to be able to travel the world and try to assist however I could, in my own way. I just want to love others and let that open the door to other conversation if it is meant to happen. I want to help meet the basic needs for survival and health. In helping them live better physically, I will be showing them love. Love from strangers can be so overwhelmingly good. My hope is that my love will encourage others to seek out a better way of living, be it physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
Fast forward eleven years.
I sat in Starbucks while my cute boyfriend worked his shift. It was a breezy but warm morning for February. I was all smiles and excited about accomplishing a lot in my next 7 hours. What did I do first? Well, I checked Facebook and Twitter, of course. (ha ha)
One of the first things I saw was a link to a PETA video, which I watched. I sat for the next few minutes shocked and crying at the animal cruelty I just witnessed. I started thinking about what I could do to make changes to stop this from happening. Then, I felt a pang of guilt as I was reacquainted with little junior Erin. She reminded me about my plan for helping people. I realized that it was finally time to do something else besides sitting in a Starbucks reading and watching videos about what is happening around me.
As I was closing out some windows on the good ol’ macbook, I noticed a friend had posted a link for a video to my Facebook wall. That video was for The 25 Campaign. If I didn’t notice God throwing that sign, I’d be worried for myself! ;)
I feel like the video explains enough for you to gain a basic understanding of its purpose. I encourage you to watch the video for The 25 Campaign. I am participating. I will be raising funds until April 25th and then will remain silent for 25 hours. The silence represents the 25 years (!!) that the people (mainly children) in the surrounding areas of the Congo have been tormented by the Lord’s Rebel Army.
I still want to travel the world. I still want to help everyone I can. However, I have my own issues. I have debt to pay off before I can get a passport and (as hopeful as I am) I know that just won’t happen anytime soon. So, I am trying to do my small part from where I stand in Missouri. The most important thing is that I do choose to stand, because there are so many others who cannot. They cannot for themselves, nor for their neighbor. It’s heartbreaking to me.
So, if you feel called to do so, you can participate here . I will also be accepting donations until April 25 here. You can donate how little or large an amount you feel is necessary. Every participant’s goal is just $25. I plan on donating about that much.
Invisible Children is the incredible group behind the campaign and are doing so many other great things.
Thank you for reading. I know it was a little more personal and serious than usual and it meant a lot. This has been on my heart for about a week now and really felt the need to share.
love, erin
erinsunday.wordpress.com 