Honor them with Peace

by Mackenzie Miller (Plant With Purpose's newest intern)

It’s easy to feel helpless on a day like today. A day when we all are reminded of the tragedy and terror, the heartlessness and hatred of that now infamous date; September 11^th.

Everyone has a “what I was doing when the towers fell” story, and mine is not unusual. I was simply eating a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats and watching television, when I was captivated and horrified by the images paraded across the screen. I remember thinking to myself that my life would never be the same; that the world would never be the same. I was only 13 years old.

Growing into adulthood during such a turning point has had a great impact on me, and my whole generation. It’s as though the world – especially the media – was asleep before 9-11, and was abruptly awakened to realize the inequalities that surround us all.

Eight years later, the memories are just as tragic. Today, our daily routines may seem robotic. But as the protective scabs we have formed are ripped away to expose that familiar raw fear, I urge you to surround yourself with hope. Because if anything, the past eight years have proved we are definitely not helpless in the fight against hatred.

With the growth of organizations like Invisible Children, CASA and Plant With Purpose, more young people than ever are getting involved with spreading peace. My new internship at PWP has already shown me that the littlest things – like, planting a tree – can make the biggest impact.

PWP is dedicated to empowering hundreds of thousands of the rural poor to take charge of their lives through economic empowerment, environmental restoration, and spiritual inspiration.

I was right, you know. When I thought the world would never be the same, eight years ago. Because it has changed, and is still changing – for the better. And it’s filled with people (and companies, like Plant With Purpose) that are dedicated to changing it for the better.

So please, don’t retreat to solitude or helplessness on this day of mourning. Reach out, and touch a life.

Let Freedom Ring!

by Kate McElhinney

There is something undeniably magical about holidays. Today is the last day of work for this week, and around our office there is a tangible buzz of excitement as my co-workers share their Fourth of July plans and count down the hours until freedom.

As we gear up for a celebration here in America, Plant With Purpose also views this occasion as an extra special time to reflect on our programs. For us, witnessing the independent victories in the lives of the rural poor has been inspiring.

This morning, we had our own mini-celebration. There were no fireworks or flag waving, but simply a group of us gathering for prayer and praises. Today, we praised God for the restoration of peace in Burundi as the war comes to an end, for the health and sustenance of our Thailand team, and in Haiti, the financial support received by victims of the hurricanes last fall. These are big praises, indeed!

Since Plant With Purpose started working with the rural poor 25 years ago, it has been amazing to witness how the bonds of despair are broken as empowerment is restored. And the communities experience freedom in more ways than one. Environmentally, their lives are transformed as reforestation efforts replenish the land, providing abundant crops and a clean water supply. Economically, farmers become empowered through microcredit loans, which help them to start a business and generate a steady income. And spiritually, communities come together to pray for the future and praise God for his restorative work.

Although reversing the effects of deforestation and eliminating poverty worldwide can seem like huge undertakings, it is encouraging to see examples of empowerment in the lives of the rural poor. When lives are transformed and freedom is restored, then the true celebration begins! This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate the freedom of our nation, but also remember the silent victories of the rural poor in Burundi, Thailand, Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Mexico.