"Are you that ONE?"

I'm always in shock and awe when i hear about the things my family can do if and when they apply themselves to really doing something... and really anyone is like that.  If you are determined to do something,whatever that thing may be- you can and will find a way to accomplish it.  

This thought came to me because this night i received an email from my uncle that included an attachment that was a letter from my little cousin.  In this letter, Nate talks about a project he is working on for the science fair at his school, and let me tell you- this is no alka-seltzer volcano project.  For this "Project" he has, "To date [raised] over $80,000.00 [for] the “Project Living Water” project.  I am totally inspired and amazed by my friends, family, students, and school.    This NEED has inspired a well, medical clinic, a school, irrigated land, a herd of goats, 2 fully sponsored orphans to go to school for a whole year, and I don’t feel like I am supposed to stop yet.   Oh, I forgot to mention the team of 12 who are going to Africa with me."  This is a huge thing to take interest in, but to organize it and make it happen is amazing.  Oh, and by the way, he's thirteen, and in the eighth grade. ridiculous.

This past summer i was given the opportunity to help raise money to travel down to mexico to build a home for a family that we adopted.  I was involved with the technicalities of planning, organizing, and executing this mission because i worked in the office, but i was only the assistant. Sharon took care of everything, i just made copies and put stuff in folders, but even that seemed like a lot of work while it was all happening.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to take it upon myself to make something this big happen, and especially at thirteen. 

The one thing that really stuck out for me in this letter was when Nate said,

"I really don’t want that to seem all that amazing because all I did was share the story of these kids with people and they just knew they were supposed to do something about it...... I don't feel like I'm supposed to stop yet."

He may be my lil cousin, but he really is growing into a young man i am very proud to call family.  

If only we could all feel even just a taste of the hunger and persistence for change that i know i felt as i went to mexico, and that i'm sure Nate is feeling right now as he gets ready for this trip, how much better would and could our world be.  Most of us are richer than 90% of the world.  Not just in our little bubble of a country, but the entire world. We can all sacrifice something. And having things isn't a bad thing, but sharing those things is so much more rewarding than keeping them to ourselves.  

Even our time is valuable.  i've come to truly realize this recently because i don't have a lot of it these days.  however, if our time is this valuable to us, imagine how great of an impact it could make if you gave it up for someone else.  Im not saying you need to spend your every waking minute planning a huge fundraiser and trip to a third world country, but sacrifice your time to the important things in life that we often let slide.  Give that time to a grandparent who needs help getting groceries, or your cousin with a lil one who just needs a night away from Dora and Boots.  In that moment you may not realize it, you may be thinking of the hundreds of other ways you could be spending this time, but for whoever you give that time to you probably gave them a hand to lift their spirits, and a smile to make their day. 

Finally in the letter Nate wrote, he closed it with this poem he wrote.  It has a strong unifying message that i think we should all take a minute to reflect on.  "Are you that ONE?"

Power of One............Written for “Project Living Water”

This is a story of one.

One heartbreaking story about children dying because they have no clean water to drink.

One common set of goals for all children: Dignity, Health, Joy, and Love.

One school that challenges its students to think globally, by sharing themselves with the world.

One amazing group of teachers, students, friends, and family… extending their hearts, lending their hands, and saving children’s lives.

One amazing realization, that all these things are part of our life for a reason.

One moment, when we realize that we can make a difference.

One daunting insight, that we are the ones who can help.

This story of One is about you and one important decision you can make to change the world, and making a difference to a child whose life may depend on your help.

The power of one CAN make a difference.  Are you that ONE?

-by Nate Moreno