Antes de...

My co-teacher in Peru and dear friend, Marianella Tueros, has had some great facebook statuses lately. One of my favorites...

Antes de Rezar…PERDONA
Antes de Hablar…ESCUCHA
Antes de Escribir…PIENSA
Antes de Gastar…GANA
Antes de Criticar…ESPERA
Antes de Rendirte…PRUEBA

The line of that that I'm trying to meditate on tonight is "antes de rendirte... prueba." The translation of this is "before you give up... try." With the current economy and my own financial stress, it's hard to press on with fundraising. It is literally exhausting to think about-- how will I ask for money next? Any person who runs a non-profit knows; it is humbling even to consider fundraising. I believe we have a social responsibility to give-- but I'm not normal. I've been transformed by the things that I saw and experienced in Peru. Living parallel to such intense poverty fostered my drive to give, and my belief that we are responsible for all of mankind. But I hold another belief as well... that we should always assume the best of others, and believe in their goodness.

And so, I've got my chin up. I'm choosing to believe in the good of the people, and to keep trying.

With this big hope, I'm setting some deadlines, and making them public for accountability.

August 12: T-shirt design ready.
September 25: T-shirt order/ distribution.

October 1: Speak to Delta Zeta chapters about philanthropy/ the Peru Project.

October 30: Speak to Sunday School classes/ address church congregations.

December 27- January 4: Short trip to Cuzco?