Sure, we are moved by the such photos. We'd rather think of our soldiers aiding the poor and helping the children in the far off lands they are sent. But that is not their job. It is a wonderful by-product of securing freedom in lands previously dominated by tyrants, and corrupt governments.
In my days with the Army National Guard I served with an Engineer Battalion. In peace time conditions we were looking for training opportunities. It seemed a little wasteful in terms of time and money to train our soldiers to build on open US training land and then use the same building to practice demolition and bombing raids. Sometimes our men built school buildings on Caribbean Islands. (No, I never scored that gig, too bad.) But the reality is, even that training was not focused on helping poverty stricken countries, and regions, it was to enable our soldiers to be able to build housing and structures in wartime.
If helping the poor, and building better housing is not the American Soldiers job, who will do it.
The American Civilian will. Or at least I am making the case that they should. Be it the Peace Corps, Children International, Samaritian Purse, or, my highlighted cause, Habitat for Humanity Global Village.
I have no story to tell of some great adventure, or travels. No cute anecdote of my grand-son. Instead I am making a plea for you to become part of an adventure. A world adventure, part of my adventure.
In the summer of 2009 I traveled to Hungary to join others to show the love of Christ though action. Through the simple action of the swinging of a hammer. If at all possible I'd like you to join a Global Village trip this year. Whether in Hungary or anyplace your heart directs. Go to the Habitat for Humanity Global Village website and apply to be part of the team. Off the summer for school, between jobs, retired, can take a couple weeks off work, this is a great chance to make a difference in the world. You will notice there are numerous places around the globe you can help in.
On my trip to Hungary I worked with a young college student from Florida. I thought, wouldn't it be great if more young people could get out and see the world in just such a manner. But college kids don't always have the expendable income to make such a trip possible. You can help by contributing to a Habitat for Humanity scholarship fund that will enable more students to see the needs of the world beyond our borders. Jeffrey Brian Gardner Global Village Scholarship Fund.
Here is another way to help. Many of my friends are writers, bloggers, and frequent Facebook addicts. Would you please link this blog to yours and write a special piece highlighting the need for worker/volunteers and donations through the above link.
Your help is appreaciated by the common people of this world.
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Mike Daley