Vastenaktie (Fasting project for Season of Lent)

In Catholic tradition we are now in Season of Lent. The 40 days period from Ash Wednesday (March 9, 2010) till Easter Sunday (April 24, 2011). It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Like Jesus who'd been through 40 days of solitude, prayer and fasting in the dessert. Catholics have their fasting activities too on Lent season. And that is to have enough meal per day and to cut some extra chips, chocolates or something delicious we always wanten to eat and special drinks like softdrinks. But it's not only fasting, there something we should also do after fasting and that is almsgiving. That means while you do fasting you'll save some money buying those extra foods and drinks, those money we save are the money we could give for almsgiving.

The last two sundays that we went to the Catholic church here in Holland. I've heard from the priest that this year Vastenaktie is for Filipijnen (Philippines). I'm happy to hear that... I'm here in Holland and I think not everyone in Philippines or not everyone Mindoro knows that the Parishes here are busy promoting Vastenaktie for the benefits of filipinos in Mindoro.

The scan photo above is the cardboard that our daughter receives from school. Where we can make a piggy bank out of it. "Plant iets moois voor een ander" is the write up in the left side which is translated in english as "Plant something beautiful for someone else"

Below is the translation in english of the write up in dutch that you see in the photo above:

Plant something beautiful for someone else

The inhabitants of the Philippine island of Mindoro are conserving the forest in which they live. They are living out of everything that grows there. But mining and logging threaten their existence.

With the help of Vastenaktie they want to save the forest and show that you can make money without chopping down those trees. From Vastenaktie they will learn how to make baskets and jewelry made ​​of reeds and palm leaves. And chips and tasty bananas and mangoes. And they will teach them on how these products in the market to sell and to plant new more trees so that the forest will remain. Save some and support Vastenaktie and plant something nice for someone else.

You can read more about the project in the website www.vastenaktie.nl

Tsunami aid and relief for Japan

Photo above from CNN website

After Japan was hit by the destructive eartquake and tsunami. I tried to watch everyday in CNN Breaking News to see the updates on what's going on with Japan... My heart breaks over and over again to see those images and videos. But I know that it should not end with me here having tears and feeling sad for those people. I think we should do something in our own little way to help those in need.

I found out in CNN website the article: Tsunami aid and relief: How you can help. You can read there the charities helping Japan. And it is well explained on how you can donate to a chosen charity organization. Most of them are so easy just send text message with a corresponding word to a certain number then you'll be able to send $10. I'm here in Holland so I'm not really sure if it's working also here or maybe it would work only in USA.

The following charities are helping now in Japan which were mentioned also in the article on how you can help:

> World Vision
> American Red Cross
> The Salvation Army
> Americares
> Save the Children
> UNICEF
> Mercy Corps
> Convoy of Hope
> Globalgiving.org
> International Medical Corps
> ShelterBox
> Doctors Without Borders
> Americans Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
> Jewish Community of Japan
> Operation Blessing International
> American Humane Association
> Search Dog Foundation

At the end of the article it further says that "For more information, please read CNNMoney's story explaining how donors should watch the crisis unfold before sending contributions. The article also provides tips on what to give, where to give and how to avoid scams".

Indeed there are many ways to send our help or donations. My personal choice is the ShelterBox. It think in every box they send is a big help to every homeless family that is affected by disaster like the eartquake and tsunami in Japan.





The photo above is from website of Convoy of Hope. Where there's an article over 50,000 Meals expedited from Philippines to Japan.

There might be persons who could not give financial help. But I think they are still capable of giving big help by keeping the PRAYERS for the victims of this disaster. And by continuing the prayers that the Reactor no.3 of the Japan nuclear plant will not meltdown.