Seeing is Believing

Today is Blog Action Day 2008 and as such all bloggers no matter how good or bad have been asked to write about poverty in some fashion.

In so many situations we can find it easy to discuss a problem but as one of my previous mentors use to say (he still does actually) "the hardest part is getting started". Easy to understand but so hard to do.

We justify our stagnation with rationalizations (I do it all the time!); I'm too busy, I am already giving to charity, I give to my church and they provide for the homeless, I'll give when the economy gets better....and so on.

The challenge to each of us is to go see it for ourselves. Poverty is rampant in the US and even a larger crises overseas, so there are no shortage of places to go to get a sense of the need. To see it, smell it, sweat in it and truly experience it. In so many cases it may not even take a lot of money to make large improvements.

So are some options for you to consider:

• www.c3missions.org - C3 Missions provides High Impact Orphan care in the most needy places you can imagine. They have a "vision trip" only cost you 3 days vacation, Thursday to Monday to Haiti, arguably the most needy country in this hemisphere. I have a chance to go in July, its truly life changing. Try it, you will NOT be sorry!

• http://www.kcrm.org - The Kansas City Rescue Mission provides care the the needy in the greater Kansas City area and they are always looking for help. Go hang out and talk to some folks who are in need, chances are they may teach you something.

• http://www.kiva.org - If you haven't heard of Micro-loans or Micro-financing then you need to check it out. Help others with as little as $25 financing a business! Not as "personal" as the first two options but believe me its very personal to those that it helps start a business and change their lives!

So many ways for each of us to help, I thought I would just share a few of my favorites. The real solution is seeing it and being a part of it. It not only transforms the lives of the people you help, but it profoundly effects yours as well.

"The hardest part is getting started" and "seeing is believing" so go see what you can start!