So, we had some friends over tonight and watched the dvd "Invisible Children." This is now on my must-see list for everyone we know. We have been aware of some of the issues going on in Africa for some time. Through movies like, "The Constant Gardener," "Hotel Rwanda," "Tears of the Sun," and from hearing about the Aids epidemic from friends that have seen its effects in Africa first hand. The question is often asked why help there when there are so many problems here. We certainly do have our problems here in America, but there is absolutely no way to compare what is going on in Africa to what is going on here. It is possible to do both. The movie is only about one little city in one small country in Africa, but there are millions of other human beings in Africa that are being affected in some way and dying in some way that is very much like what is going on in Gulu, Uganda. We really feel like we must respond. We have no choice. So, this is our first step. We are beginning our response by telling people that we love who read our blog. Go to the website (the link is to the right on the sidebar.) Order the media kit. Show the dvd to everyone who will watch it. Ask them what are they going to do about it. The problem is huge, but we can have great impact because a small resource to us is a huge asset to them. I wrote that last sentence and realized another step that probably has to be made. There cannot be anymore "us" and "them". It has to be only us. The Africans are us. It could be us. It is us. One of the accusations against the Western response to the problems in Africa is one of racism. Another is the vastness of the problem and the overwhelming population numbers. We cannot be accused anymore. They are us and we are them. Somehow get involved in helping each other out. Send money or clothes. Get involved with an organization that is passionate about helping our friends in Africa. Go there and see it for yourself. But, do something. Help somewhere.
