Did you know that $1 can provide one African clean water for one year?
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Did you know that $1 can provide one African clean water for one year?
Or that $200
can provide six months of rent at a safe apartment for a woman in
Moldova who has been a victim of human trafficking?
This summer,
students will learn about a variety of opportunities such as these to
share the love of Christ through the “5 Ways of Giving” at Blume, July
10–13, in Kansas City, Mo.
Blume, a
national missions event for teenage girls and collegiate young women,
has partnered with five different ministries throughout the world that
focus on children and women, including Arab Woman Today (AWT) in
Jordan, Beginning of Life Foundation in Moldova, The Ricks Institute in
Liberia, Blood:Water Mission in Africa, and Locks of Love. These
ministries will be highlighted at Blume as part of the 5 Ways of
Giving.
According to
Blume program coordinator Kym Mitchell, the 5 Ways of Giving is a new
approach that expands the act of giving to an experience that will
connect with all aspects of the Blume event.
“We hope that
students learn about each of the 5 Ways of Giving and plan to give to
the ministry(ies) that they feel most drawn to,” Mitchell said. “We
want students to know that there are a variety of needs in the world,
and there are many ways they can give, from their money and time to a
gift of their hair!”
Mitchell added that the concept of the 5 Ways of Giving has the ability to impact students on several levels at Blume.
“The 5
Ways of Giving will offer students the opportunity to interact with and
learn more about these five ministries and even talk one-on-one with
individuals representing some of the ministries,” she said. “Students
will be engaged in activities that teach not only about the ministries
and the needs of the individuals to whom they are ministering, but also
the impact the ministries are making in the world for Jesus Christ.”
Girls will
learn more about each of these five ministries during Blume general
sessions and in the interactive exhibit area of Blume, called ME.
For instance,
in the ME area, participants can cut their hair in the Blume salon for
Locks of Love (prior parental permission required), help build a
farmyard of animals by donating to the Ricks Institute, learn more
about broadcasting and Arab Woman Today’s radio ministry, and much
more.
Also in the
interactive area, Blume participants will be able to bring their
donations to the Blume bank and make a deposit to their ministry of
choice.
“The 5 Ways of
Giving will also be another way students at Blume are encouraged to
learn more about who God created them to be as they seek God’s guidance
in determining how to give of themselves, their time, and their money
in the future,” Mitchell said.
A close-up look at the “5 ways of giving”:
1. Arab Woman Today (AWT) in Jordan
Arab Woman Today utilizes radio, broadcast, and the Internet to reach
women in 22 Arab countries in the Middle East and Africa. AWT’s purpose
is to provide spiritual, physical, and psychological resources and
healing to women.
A gift of $270
can help provide a half-hour of airtime for AWT’s radio ministry.
International InitiativesSM, a ministry of WMU®, partners with Arab
Woman Today. www.arabwomantoday.com/english
2. Beginning of Life Foundation in Moldova
The Beginning of Life Foundation provides lodging for victims of human
trafficking; education and job skills training; and Christian
counseling and discipleship.
Your gift can
help provide six months of rent at a safe apartment ($200), education
and job skills training ($50–$100), and Christian counseling
($250–$300). International Initiatives, a ministry of WMU, partners
with Beginning of Life Foundation.
3. The Ricks Institute in Liberia
The Ricks Institute is a K–12 school for children of war-torn Liberia.
It purchases livestock for children, who receive the immediate benefits
of the animal (i.e., milk or meat from the offspring).
They also learn animal husbandry skills, enabling their families to earn a living.
Your gift can
help provide a goat ($100), a pig ($75), or a chicken ($1).
International Initiatives, a ministry of WMU, partners with Ricks
Institute.www.ricksliberia.org
4. Blood:Water Mission in Africa
Blood:Water Mission and 1000 Wells Project has committed to providing
1,000 wells in 1,000 African communities. Through each well and clean
water project, the African communities are empowered to take control of
the well along with their health.
The wells
provide a sense of community and ownership as the community learns to
take part in the well (protection and maintenance).
One dollar
provides one African clean water for one year. Pure Water, Pure LoveSM,
a ministry of WMU, is partnering with Blood:Water Mission in support of
the 1000 Wells Project. Blood:Water Mission and WorldCraftsSM, a
ministry of WMU, partner with Living Hope in South
Africa.www.bloodwatermission.com
5. Locks of Love
Locks of Love meets the needs of children who suffer from long-term medical hair loss including alopecia areata.
Through the
donation of hair, Locks of Love helps children walk through life with
more confidence and self-esteem. Blume will provide a chance for girls
and women to participate in cutting their hair (10 inches or more) for
prostheses. www.locksoflove.org