Voluntourism

As you can see I have been reading The Metro a lot lately. This is my third relevant article for my blog. This article especially embodies the theme of this site. This article speaks about a new term called "Voluntourism" which defines someone going on vacation and no longer just for self comfort but also for doing good deeds while on your travel or vacation. This is what I did with my husband and my children while vacationing in Ethiopia. We set the date, paid for the tickets and asked friends and coworkers for donations to two organizations, which we researched and contacted before coming. We had a blast visiting the hot springs, the lavender lake, the mountains, and more, yet raised donations to give to Mothers and children as well as promoting literacy. You can see the posts in January and February with copies of receipts and pictures.

This article describes our efforts as a new trend which I hope catches on and grows quickly. There are so many people in need. This would be a great humanitarian effort for anyone, anywhere. They also mention the benefits for Voluntourism as a resume boost which is true. I had not considered this but It is true that companies are always looking for what sets resumes apart. This may be a benefit as well. (If you would like to read the article, just click on the article). So the next time you want to take a trip be a source of light and life to someone else. The one benefit I enjoyed was the expressed gratitude on the other end and the increased endorphines as a drug to anticipate my next adventure.

David Cook-Idol gives back-Ethiopia

Thursday, April 8th I posted a NY Metro article stating David Cook would be going
to Ethiopia and getting donations on American Idol's Idol gives back. Here is a clip
of his visit. (Sorry about the presentation but I really wanted you to see the video).

Hope worldwide Global Summit 2010

Friday, April 23rd is the last day to take advantage of reduced hotel rates for HOPE worldwide’s Global Summit. These special rates are more than $50-100 off regular prices so please act now. Click below to book your hotel rooms and register today!

The Hyatt Regency Reston is located at the Reston Town Center, an outdoor shopping and entertainment destination with great places to eat, relax and have fun – all right outside your door.

Global Summit 2010
A Celebration in Faith and Action
May 13-15
Hyatt Regency Reston-Reston, Virginia

For hotel and registration see, Hope worldwide's website.

Celebrate changed lives. Grow in compassion. Put your faith into action.

The Best Way

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
--Mahatma Gandhi

I love this quote as it suggest a sense of self lost until you help someone. The thought that you achieve a new level of you when you give of yourself, your time and resources. You have to stop and wrap your brain around this "losing yourself to find yourself". It suggests the more you lose yourself in helping others, the more you discover about yourself. As though you do not really know yourself until you strive for much good. The word "service" has an honest and honorable feel to it. It seems to go beyond helping or a once or twice action. It is a lifestyle. This quote is reflective, almost simplistic yet a bit complexive. In whole, there is no better way to see your true internal self, than through looking in the eyes of those you're serving.

Zacchaeus of Internal Revenue Services

In my last posting I wrote, it was meant to remind us to remember the poor. For this posting I would like to speak about Zacchaeus. He was a Tax Collector. Tax Collectors were despised in the first century and disliked as they worked for the beginnings of what we now call the Internal Revenue Service. They were on the same level in society as some corrupt politicians we see today. Due to the fact that they were known for stealing by overcharging the people, to skim money off the top for themselves; no one liked them. Now Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector and known to be very well off. Zacchaeus' story is told in Luke 19:1-9.

All who came in contact with Jesus were known to be impacted in one way or another. Turned out this man even had a physical disability for being very short. This did not stop him from finding out about this man Jesus whom people were talking about. He had his chance and was moved to make his wrongs right by giving half of what he owned to the poor! Also to give back all he owned to each person he over taxed. Amazing right? But He did not stop there. He then announced he will pay back 4x's the amount he took--from each person.

He was not asked to do this but initiated, and did what he thought was the right thing to do. Nothing got in his way of seeking the truth and then doing what was right. In soberness of his life the first thing he thought of was the poor and those who became poor as a result of his dealings. I enjoy these two stories (the posting before and this one) as it shows two different types of people but the same message; "remember the poor".

The Rich Young Ruler

I wanted to share a sobering scripture with you. A popular story of the Rich Young Ruler. His story is told in Matthew 19:16-22. He asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life? Which is the same question as, what should I do to get to heaven? He was very confident and told Jesus he followed the 10 commandments to the letter, not wavering in his commitment to follow all of them. Jesus encouraged him yet added to go sell his possessions and give to the poor. The man was very rich and the scriptures describe his facial expression, at this point as being sad and downcast. He walked away as he was not willing to do it.

Riches like beauty is relative. To many of us do not realize that we are rich. To others who are richer than us do not consider themselves as having enough wealth either. Like the rich young ruler it is easy to justify and hold on tight to what we have as we think we have so little, we ourselves have experience financial lows in our life or the commitment to give can be to great for what we are willing to give. But you're right in saying, "this was the rich young ruler. His life is different from mine. I really am not rich". Maybe what stops you from giving is that your life is busy with too many projects and errands. Maybe you're a parent who has little children and don't feel you can afford to give. Maybe your a student or you have an illness with expensive health care needs. It is amazing to think there is always someone worse off than you.

The rich Young Ruler's heart for helping the poor was exposed. Jesus would have taken noticed if he had been honest and said I'll have to work on it. For now what I can give is this... as Jesus may have been looking to see his reaction. He had mastered his spiritual life a great fete and example for all of us but he wasn't keen on loving sacrificially; when it was difficult for him. Some of us have accomplished a lot and have a good sense of spirituality. But while you strive for your ultimate goal, remember the poor.

"Idol" gives back

I love David Cook's voice. He is one of my favorite American Idols. I also love his story of how it was his brother who auditioned and did not get in but told his older brother he should try out. Now he is an American idol. Anyway, I found this article in the AM News. Turns out he went on a Humanitarian trip to Ethiopia with the United Nations Foundation. Just click on the article to read more.

Returning Home

Returning Home

Beautiful AEtiopia

Zion Land!

To have finally reached

your shores again!

High up in the sky

Oh city of Jah!

A wonder to behold

Moa Anbessa!

Praises to HIM abound

from mountain tops!

Sing all ye hills, full

of cool breeze, not hot!

Land of cold and hot springs

Behold, they all are in thee!

I miss Jahrulesthem soil, where

In I must live to be FREE!

Forever Loving Jah!!!

By Angela Sweeting (Elisabet)

Lamb by Marcus

Look what I found in the Metro newspaper the other day. It's Marcus Samuelsson, the prestigious Ethiopian Chef. He's opening a new restaurant in Harlem. Click on the article to read more and to get tips for tasty lamb.

COMPASSION

April is National Poetry Month. So to start off the month I have chosen a poem called Compassion. It is simple and sums up the essence of this blog. It is taken from Art in it's Written Form.

I keep it in my pocket in times of need.
It shows itself as an oak but was once a seed.
I used to borrow it cause I had none to give.
Without it, life is difficult to live.
I decided to be under it's authority.
In times of sorrow it gets the best of me.
These are the times I take it out,
Cheerful as I go about.
Pass it on I say,
"It's the new fashion;
to be clothed in compassion."

*See "Beloved Ethiopia" and "Who Am I?" in February's posts.