Christmas giving that matters

As the Christmas season approaches (yeah, I know.  It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but the signs are all around us!) it is very easy to get pulled in to the very Western materialism that is gift giving and gift getting.  If I step back a moment and consider gifts I might give or receive this year (or in years past) I see that not many of those gifts meet any real need.  No offense to the gift givers or recipients--I'm deeply thankful for the love and thoughtfulness of family and friends and how it is often expressed, but consider.  I have a warm dry house, nice clean clothes in my closet, fresh food in the fridge and pantry, and money in the bank.  My basic, material, substantive needs are met and the rest is "icing on the cake", right?

How about those who don't have a warm dry house, but live in a hut made of corrugated metal?  How about those who wear the same tattered and dirty clothes day in and day out?  How about those with no fridge and no fresh food who are going hungry every day?  They certainly don't have money in the bank and they have no cake and no icing.

Consider giving something this year that will make a lasting difference for some of these people.  There are many charitable organizations to which you can donate--Samaritan's Purse, Red Cross, Union Gospel Mission, and the list goes on.

I'd like to give two other examples that pertain to Burundi, the place now near and dear to our hearts.

First, watch this video about milk for transformation in Burundi.  It's really amazing to see how this is impacting families and the country.  For some reason I'm having trouble imbedding the Youtube video so just click here.  You also get a great taste for the land and people of Burundi in the video.

Here's the link to Great Lakes Outreach with more info and links for donating.  It is a secure site and your donation is tax deductible under the 501(c)(3) tax laws.

Second, you could also donate to Hope Africa University, a Christian University in Burundi.  This is the school where our friends have partnered to teach medicine and where we hope to participate as well.  There are many current and ongoing construction (buildings, wells, etc) projects that need funding as well as scholarships for the students.  You can give via Friends of HAU--also tax deductible. You can specify how you want your donation allocated--our friends are at Kibuye Hope Hospital.

I hope this gives you some gift giving ideas as the Christmas season approaches.  It can make a real and lasting difference in someone's life.