Our birthdays have always been quiet events. For every birthday that has come along each year, we have simply chosen to celebrate as a family. But this year was Loyal’s sweet sixteen, and her friend Olivia thought we should have a big celebration. Well, that made sense to us, and so we planned. I suppose it was a typical party – good food, teens, games and laughter, with brownies and ice cream to top it off. However, this birthday still held a unique touch. Instead of presents, Loyal asked each of her guests to bring a gift for PPF’s 100 Wells Campaign.

For about seven years, I have been following Persecution Project Foundation, receiving colorful, sometimes shocking, and informative newsletters about the persecuted of Sudan and what many were doing to stand by them. I have always read these bits of news to my children and would pray, occasionally sending whatever gift I could spare. I would even encourage my children to give if they had a little cash, and they were always very willing.

Loyal grew up hearing about Africa, knowing the difficult dynamics there, sharing with them, and even watching movies like Amazing Grace. She has always been moved by the plight of the many beautiful Africans she has heard, seen, or read about. One day I was watching a video about a church being built in an African village. There were many images of people carrying bricks to the building site and multiple lovely and bright smiling African faces. I turned and looked over my shoulder to see tears falling from Loyal’s eyes.

These experiences decorate her memories and were foundational to her genuine and sincere interest to dedicate her birthday to the persecuted in Sudan. I had already initiated fundraising efforts with our youth group at Vashon Island Community Church, and Loyal saw her birthday as an opportunity to raise money for our group’s goal to raise $15,000 for one well. Two hundred and fifty dollars were brought in and a private donor from our church had matched it with a $250 gift. She was very happy with the results.

Truly, Loyal wasn’t sure at first if she wanted her story shared, but as we talked about inspiring others to act, she decided it was a good idea. This year she will continue to work with all of us as we mobilize our church and community to share water with Sudan’s countless oppressed people. She has already helped with so much, including personally making 160 candles to sell for our goal of building one well.

I marvel at the profound and gentle kindness of a child in comparison to the wicked rulers we sometimes find on earth. When Jesus said that out of the mouths of babes, God has ordained praise and wisdom, He sure knew what He was talking about – as He always does! Loyal is definitely one example of ordinary youth doing extraordinary things to make a difference for Christ in our world.

Fairlawn Baptist Church’s children’s ministry, “Prayground” got active in raising financial support for the 100 Wells Campaign this summer. The children’s ministry is made up of about 40 children ranging from 1st to 5th grade.

“Prayground” chooses a monthly mission project to support. In August, 2011, they chose to support PPF’s Safe Water Projects. Their donation will help us bring more clean water to the Darfur refugees in Jaac.

The timing could not have been better. Not only are the seasonal rains making work difficult, the refugee community of Jaac continues to swell with new arrivals. Some are coming from the North to start a new life in the newly independent South. Some have fled border communities that have been hit with rogue militia attacks and even assaults from the Sudan Air Force.

The number of wells completed in the Jaac admiistrative district now stands at 74. Thank you for your role in helping us to achieve this milestone. If necessary funds can be raised over the summer, it is still possible to reach our goal of completing 100 wells by the end of the year to provide the basic water canopy for the community.

Humans are not the only ones needing safe water in the wilderness of Jaac.

Although my family has supported PPF for several years, it wasn’t until last year that I began to read about the 100 Wells Campaign. I live in one of the rainiest states in the U.S., so no one worries about not having enough water to drink. I’ve never wondered where my next meal will come from or lacked clothing or a roof over my head.

When I learned that people in Sudan were not only suffering from extreme persecution, but that they also lacked basic necessities, my heart felt torn. I had always known people around the world suffered like this, but it wasn’t until I started learning more about the 100 Wells Campaign, that it became real to me.

I desperately wanted to fix this problem, but what could one girl do? I was challenged by Persecution Project’s slogan: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” So I bought a 100 Wells bracelet to remind me of the cause I was supporting.

Over the next few months, I bought more bracelets and t-shirts. I began to wonder if I could introduce the campaign to my church. Within a few months, I stood before the members of my church. My knees were shaking, and my voice was barely audible, but people responded. Some gave what they could. Some were interested in learning more about the project. Some spread the word about the 100 Wells Campaign on their Facebook pages. People were becoming more aware of the crisis in Sudan.

God continued to open doors for me to talk about the wells. I spoke at a second church. I hosted a booth at a church conference. I told my friends at youth group and Bible study. I was even interviewed on a local television station.

Despite my prayers and attempts to touch people’s hearts and to affect someone’s life in Sudan, I believe it has been my heart that has been moved the most. While living in comfort and safety, it is easy to forget about those who are in need. It is easy to continue on in ignorance. But when you begin to think of the people of Darfur as your family members, or when you begin to envision your loved ones suffering under similar circumstances, you must do something to help. The 100 Wells Campaign forced me to step outside of my personal bubble.

My speaking engagements have proven one thing to me beyond a shadow of a doubt. When you start where you are and do what you can, God is faithful to open doors. And in the process, I have found myself truly blessed.

Gayle with her husband, Don, and their children.

We laughed until the tears flowed. We danced with joyful abandon. We built deeper relationships, and we learned new skills. And this all happened in a completely unexpected way while serving God.

In April, PPF Director of Ministry Advancement, Ed Lyons, spoke at my church, Bay Ridge Christian Church in Annapolis, MD. As he was speaking, I couldn’t help but wonder how God could use me to help the people in Sudan. As a mother of two young children, going to Sudan seemed unlikely.

Bay Ridge Pastor Bret Hicks, with his wife, Linda, and their two children.

Then Ed said something that captured my attention: “Start where you are.” As he talked about how Persecution Project Foundation endeavors to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the people with whom they work, he mentioned the 100 Wells Campaign. He then explained how he and his 11-year old daughter made bracelets together to raise money to drill wells in Jaac.

Although I had never before made bracelets, I knew this was the way God would have me get involved with PPF. Ed e-mailed me a list of supplies and provided me with an instructional video on how to make bracelets.

Then God gave me another idea. Once a month, the ladies at Bay Ridge gather for a “Ladies’ Night Out.” As I talked with the ladies’ leader about hosting an evening of beading, I realized both of us had been given the same idea. It was wonderful confirmation that God was working through us for His good pleasure.

Associate pastor Garey's wife, Autumn, oversaw the ladies' bracelet-making activity.

After facing different trials and obstacles, eleven ladies gathered to make 15 bracelets. Our youth group then got together and made even more bracelets. To date, we have sent 127 bracelets to PPF, with more still to be shipped.

I was incredibly blessed throughout this adventure. I danced with joyful abandon with my youngest son as we listened to the catchy tune on the bracelet-making video. I learned a new skill and entered into a deeper relationship with the leader of our ladies’ group as we manipulated the crimping tools. And the night with the youth group (one girl and many boys) resulted in joyous laughter.

Youth leader, Jer, and his wife, Hannah, had a good time making bracelets with the Bay Ridge Christian Church youth group.

Truly God’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light when we walk in obedience to Him. And it’s as simple as Starting Where You Are.

Despite exams, these STAND students gathered to present their donation to PPF.

STAND, the student branch of the Genocide Intervention Network, has active groups on college and high school campuses across the nation. The STAND chapter at Mount Tabor High School began in 2007 under the guidance of Ms. Laurie Schaefer, a tenth grade English teacher. Current sponsors also include Ms. Eileen Coates, Ms. Emily Bennett, Ms. Carrie Bennett, and Ms. Becky Maier. STAND membership at Mt. Tabor has grown each year, climbing over the one hundred mark during the 2009-2010 school year. It is encouraging to know, in this racially diverse school with an enrollment of approximately 1700 students, that there are so many students who truly care for other people. Mount Tabor’s STAND members specifically focus their efforts on addressing the genocide in Darfur, and the purpose of the organization is to educate other students and community members about the genocide in order to raise funds to help victims.

During the club’s first two years of operation, funds were raised in order to provide protection for the women often victimized at displaced-persons camps in the Darfur region, as well as to support a much-needed school in Darfur. With the assistance of the Persecution Project Foundation (PPF), students became aware of the great need for safe drinking water in this region of the world, and it was decided that all monies raised during the 2009/2010 year would go towards PPF’s 100 Wells Campaign. STAND held a “Dance for Darfur” in the fall and the “Darfur Fast” in the spring, with the goal of raising $5,000 to donate to the 100 Wells Campaign. All who participated were touched by the generosity of the students and community, and were thrilled to present a check of $10,500 to PPF on June 2.

On behalf of thousands of Darfur refugees who will benefit from the generosity of the Mt. Tabor STAND club, PPF would like to thank these courageous young people who decided to make a difference in their world.

This young girl gets a mouthful of fresh, clean water from a new well.

By using your community in America to support their community in Darfur, thousands of lives are saved. But, most importantly, many souls are saved as well. God has presented PPF with a perfect opportunity to teach the Gospel message in word and deed to many people who have never heard about Jesus Christ. We give them something their bodies need: clean water. And then we introduce them to the Water of Life that nourishes their souls.

More than 100 years ago, the boll weevil destroyed much of the area’s cotton crop and forced farmers to diversify by planting other plants – including peanuts, which became a new cash crop. In gratitude for the unexpected blessing of this little bug, citizens of Enterprise built a monument in the center of town as a reminder that good things can come from unexpected places.

Matt Chancey presents at a PPF fundraiser.

But Enterprise is also the home town of PPF Director, Matt Chancey, and recently, many of his family and friends turned out at a reception to support PPF’s 100 Wells Campaign. At the event, Matt introduced his neighbors to the work of PPF and told them how they could engage in “active compassion for the persecuted.”

“It’s really easy to live in a bubble,” said Chancey, who has been with PPF since its incorporation in 2000. “Christians are so blessed in America that we forget that much of the Church is still being persecuted.”

Assisting Matt at the reception was Justice Tom Parker from the Alabama Supreme Court. Justice Parker drove down from his office in Montgomery to serve as Master of Ceremonies. “The most important job I have is not being a judge, but being a servant of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” said Parker. “More Christians have been killed for their Faith in the last 100 years than in the last 1,900 years. And we have a responsibility to intervene and assist our brothers and sisters who are suffering.”

Matt commented how easy it is to organize a small event like the one in Enterprise and encouraged the participants to become ambassadors for the persecuted by hosting their own events, whether it is in their homes, churches, or places of business.

“All of us have something to give persecuted Christians. Whether it’s our time, prayers, or financial assistance, we can all do something. That’s why our motto at PPF is ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.’”

One day, I was listening to a local radio station, and they did an interview with someone about Persecution Project Foundation and the 100 Wells Campaign. When I got home from work, I went to the website and watched the video, and it really touched my heart.

I did a little research on PPF and saw that over 90% of all total donations go to program services. So for a small donation of $35, I could help provide clean water for one individual  for his/her entire lifetime and get a 100 Wells T-shirt to wear to tell others about the project.

I attend Anchor Community Church in Locust Grove, Georgia. Our pastor and Missions Director thought it would be a great idea to bring up the project in our small congregation.

We started collecting money each week and when we reached $35, we would have a drawing to see who would get the next shirt. We just had our ninth drawing and our goal is to continue until each member of our group has a T-shirt. I pray we will be able to reach 100′s of others in our community, and that other small groups in our church do the same thing.

In Christ and for His Glory,

Rodney S., Anchor Community Church

Carol Hudgins contacted our office and told us her idea to raise money for PPF to drill another well. She recruited church members, family and friends to seek sponsors and to participate in the walk. On March 14, 41 walkers gathered for the event.

Carol Hudgins (middle row center in front of the tree) with the rest of her team of walkers.

With one couple from her church providing a matching gift, Carol and the rest of the participants raised $7,833, enough to provide clean water for 253 refugees for the rest of their lives! Carol says, “It is not the size [of the group] but the HEART, and with the Persecution Project Foundation motto ‘Do what you can, where you are, with what you have,’ anything is possible when we all work together with the Lord’s help.”

Thank you, Carol, for your inspiring example of faith in action!