Wrapping up 2011 Part 1: Focus on the world!

Christmas is over, we have taken the tree down and as I sit her reflecting on the year that is almost over I have realised what a wonderful year it has been. There have been some very hard, heartbreaking times in recent months and it has also been an overwhelming year at times trying to home school Jaden and look after 2 cheeky litle girls at the same time, but as I scrolled through the photos of this year on my computer I was struck by what a blessed year we have had, how much my kids have grown, and the fun times we have had together. In fact so much happened this year that I am going to do 3 different blog posts to cover it and this is the first.

When 2011 started plans were in full swing for a Micah Challenge 'Survive past Five' 5th birthday party I was planning with my friend Anna. I had invited the local Federal member and hoped he would turn up and was very nervous about how it would all go. The event turned out to be amazing, we had over 100 people show up, including David Bradbury, our local Federal MP, many people were inspired to act on behalf of the world's poor, and it was even the subject of a speech in parliament. It was one of many Micah Challenge events held that helped keep aid and development in the political spotlight during tough budget talks by the Government this year and I am still awed by the fact I was able to be involved in that!!

That was the first of a few events this year that helped me realise the impact ordinary people can have with simple actions. Anna and I were really affected by the need for more focus on maternal and child health and got to spend a day helping people put 1000 birthing kits together for women in Afghanistan. They contained simple products like soap, gloves, and a clean razor to cut the chord, simple objects that help keep infection away from new bubs and save lives!! We also visited David Bradbury's office a couple of weeks after the 5th birthday party to hand over the banner people were signing that day asking the government to keep it's pledge to the Millenium Development goals to halve world poverty by 2015.

I also spent time this year highlighting fair trade. We had a fully fair trade Easter ourselves and inspired some other families to do the same. I also hosted a 'fair cuppa' event to teach people about how fair trade lifts people out of poverty and ensures no child workers or slave labour, and had 2 fair trade shopping nights here at my house where I did a lot of my christmas shopping and where Anna signed up to actually run her own portable fair trade shop.

I even made it into our local newspaper this year talking about child and maternal health around the world!!

 When I look back over all of this I am overwhelmed by the fact that God has used me and the opportunities i've had to advocate for others whose voices aren't heard. These are just the public ways our family has been able to have a positive impact on the world this year, it doesn't include all our sponsor kids or the other ways we contribute to things as a family. I'm a stay at home mum with 3 beautiful kids who keep me busy but I also have hands, feet, talents and a voice that God has used this year to speak for 'the least of these' and when I read back through all of this I am so humbled and also excited at what God has taught me this year about stepping out, trusting Him and being willing to use my voice!!