3 years

I don't want to do this anymore.
I want to quit.  
I'm tired.

How many times has Chet heard something like that from me?  I'm embarrassed to even admit the number.

Running a non-profit is not always easy.  It is not always convenient...or ever convenient for that matter.

Three years ago I would have never guessed this would be our life.  I would have never guessed we would spend much of our free time at a computer screen.  I would have never guessed that "date night" for us oftentimes means accomplishing Holden Uganda work together.  (That's a date, right?)

But I also could not imagine the joy and fulfillment we get from having a small part in this platform God has entrusted us with.  I could never have imagined what it feels like to tell a grieving family about their child's well providing life-saving clean water to thousands.  I could never have imagined the beauty in these faces that I get to see through photos each day.

Three years ago we said goodbye to our precious son.  Today I am staring at nearly 140 completed water projects.

I am ashamed to admit that I have not always been grateful for this platform.  I have often asked God to turn back time and give me "my" son back and take the rest of this away.  Even three years in, there are many times I imagine what life would look like with a busy almost-three year old running around our home, and an office filled with only personal stuff --- and maybe a sewing machine.  ;)
There are times when I don't want to hear of one more heart-wrenching story; always bringing me back to those fresh, raw emotions as I grieve for our sweet HUF well families.

But I can truly say I am humbled each and every day I get to wake up on this journey.  Each time I open my computer screen and see a need being met, each time I realize a village will get the water they need for their children to stop dying of water-borne illnesses, each time I see a family cry happy tears to see their loved one's well completed... these are the moments that stop me in my [selfish] tracks and bring true joy.

I do not believe there is a better way to celebrate the three years our son has spent in Glory than to thank the Lord for these 136 water projects.

Thank you for joining us hand-in-hand to live out Christ-like love to the thousands that have received clean water.  Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of this mission.  I know we will meet many Ugandan brothers and sisters face-to-face in Glory one day; Ugandans that through clean water, have been given the chance to live another day to come to know our Wonderful Savior.

Here's to however many years it will take to put an end to unclean water around the world.

In His Unfailing and Amazing Love,
Sarah Erwin
Co-Founder & Holden's Mommy