I'm turning 21 on Nov 2, which means a lot in this country and on this campus... I can legally consume alcohol outside the confines of a home setting! Woo! So, in true U of I fashion, I'm inviting you all to come out and celebrate by paying a few bucks to get me a drink or something. Yes.

Except, instead of paying Murphy's for my beer (or some less foul drink), pay charity:water to get some plain old boring water to folks in developing nations.

$20 buys one person clean water for 20 years.

$20 here buys more drinks than I could handle in one sitting, providing (perhaps) a few hours of entertainment for you, and (certainly) a night+day of misery for me.

$20 could give someone else clean water for 20 years.

So let's do this. I'm not just talking out of my sober delirium either. Let's do this together. Major benefits:
(0) We don't have to be 21!
(1) We don't have to be in the same state.
(2) No annoying arguments about whose drink is girlier/manlier/better/more hardcore
(3) No risk of me getting fit-shaced and puking all over your shoes
(4) Take a practical step in following Jesus' call in Is 58

Is not this the kind of fasting [religious practice] I have chosen:
[...] to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -
when you see the naked, to cloth him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
(Isaiah 58:6-8)

So please buy me a fancy H2O drink for $10/$20/$50/whatever you feel called to... I don't get to specify which country/community the money goes, but charity:water functions mostly in India, Haiti and various African countries.

Praise Jesus for keeping me healthy, happy and hydrated for 21 years! And bless you guys - my friends - too. May the light and glory of the Lord be with you. =)

(Thank you, friends!!)
-- your favourite segway-rider, christine chan