"To be engrossed by something outside ourselves is a powerful antidote for the rational mind, the mind that so frequently has its head up its own ass." - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Hello, my name is Joshua Chiu, and I'm turning 32 years old. This year, I don't want money or presents... I want water.

You may or may not know me. We may be family, close friends, mere acquaintances, or you creep on me via facebook, twitter and other social media streams. Regardless of which category you fall into, in some way or another - we've crossed paths, experienced something together, labored beside one another, or met randomly through mutual friends.

Ever since Charity: Water's September Birthday Campaign last year, it has been on my heart to start a birthday campaign of my own. At the time my initial thought was, "Man! I wish my birthday was in September!" However, as the weeks went by, I became aware of the blessing of this extended period of time to think and pray and prepare my heart for what God may have me accomplish in this "giving up" of my birthday.

As I've ruminated about what I would type (right here in this little box!)... and how much money I would like to raise... I was pleasantly surprised by the changings of my heart. It first started out as a goal of $2k... which jumped up to $5k, followed by $15k, and eventually up to $32k. Go big, or go home, right? (:

This is where you come in. As people living in the United States, we are so privileged almost to the point of entitlement. We drive our cars, eat out at restaurants, upgrade our fancy gadgets, and get our daily Starbucks for the commute to work where we make more than enough money to feed villages halfway across the world. I don't list these things because they're bad, but because we are blessed beyond belief, and yet often times we are only discontent for more. As people, I know we all, deep down, are looking for something to be a part of... we want to experience something amazing... and we desire to accomplish much good.

Why water:
- Almost 1 billion people (1 in 8) don't have access to clean drinking water.
- Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation causes 80% of all disease and kill more people than all forms of violence, including war.
- Children are most vulnerable. 90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under the age of 5.
- In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water - this time spent keeps them from school, work and taking care of their families.

Why Charity: Water:
- 100% of public donations go directly to water projects.
- All operating costs are covered by private donors so that every dollar can go to people in need.
- Sanitation training is required almost everywhere Charity: Water builds a freshwater well

What we'll accomplish:
- $5000 = a fresh water well for one village.
- $20 gives one person clean water for approx. 20 years
- We'll transform lives, communities and generations.

Would you be willing to partner with me and forgo some of your "vast riches" so that others may have life? Would you be willing to look after the poor, needy and destitute? If you are truly unable, would you be willing to pass this onto someone who could and would?

- Joshua