Vision in Action

I was asked to give a quick talk at church a few months back about my "Vision in Action." Here it is:

You probably have already heard this statistic, but it goes something like 1.2 billion people in this world lack access to improved water sources and 2.4 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. As if that's not a big enough problem as it is, water related illness is the biggest killer of children in the developing world, many times more than HIV AIDs.

And when I really think about this there's something about that just doesnt sit right with me.

I can't really say what it is I hate about these statistics. Maybe it's shame for the amount of water i've wasted in my life. Or guilt that I've bought lots bottled water when tap is just fine. Probably, I hate it most because I live my life ignoring these statistics.

I'm moving to Mozambique in August to volunteer with the Mennonite Central Committee. I'm going to be volunteering a year to design and oversee construction of projects to,I hope, bring clean and reliable water to people in the Tete Province. For some background, I work in the water industry as a civil engineer - so this all kinda fits.

To be sure, my parents had a hard time with this idea - That I would leave my good and steady career here in the states to make no money in some 3rd world country. They think it's silly and irresponsible. They say I'm throwing away all i've worked for and that I'm ruining my career.

Sometimes I believe them. But most times, I think what I'm doing is right because I just can't help it. It's what I believe.

I'm supposed to be talking about my vision in action today, but I don't have a lot of my faith figured out just yet. I don't even think I have a 'vision' that I should be 'acting' toward. But here's what I think: I think that faith isn't about life after death. I guess I never actually cared if i end up in heaven or hell.
I think faith is supposed to be about life before death.