Fill Up the Ark: Week 1

Participating in the Ark project means that each day we fill the paper ark with the goal of expressing God's love and grace to others. The giving calendar that Heifer Int'l gave to us in addition to the paper ark includes daily suggestions for how to fill it up (of course, we can put in as much as we want!). The first week comes to a close soon, but just so you can see some of the hilarious ideas, here they are:

Week 1
"They, and every wild animal of every kind, and all domestic animals of every kind, and every creeping thing that creep upon the earth... They went into the ark with Noah. " Genesis 7:14-15

Sunday: The Gift of Hope
The most important gift people receive from Heifer Int'l is one they can't see, feel, or smell. It's the gift of hope. Because of your donation, lies can be restored. Families can become self-supporting again. And they can share their hope with others by "passing on the gift." Hope is contagious, and it starts with your gift. Add your own ark contribution today.

Monday: Bees
Heifer gives beehives to families in Kenya. Honey and wax from the hives provide income and an be used for medicine. Where's the honey jar? Add 25 cents for every jar of honey in your kitchen. (I used to have 1 jar so I put in 25 cents, plus 50 cents for not using it all before throwing it away in the move ove the summer.)

Tuesday: Dairy Cows
To increase nutrition levels and family income through milk and butter sales, 60 Ukrainian families received 30 pregnant heifers. Got milk? Add 15 cents if you have chocolate milk in your refrigerator, 20 cents if white milk. (I have soy milk, so 30 cents!)

Wednesday: Hay
After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, even farmers living 100 miles inland suffered storm damage. High winds ripped away barn roofs, exposing the cattle fed inside to rain. Much of the feed was ruined. Heifer stepped in to help provide fed to get these farmers' animals through the winter. What do you hear? Give 10 cents for every time you yell "Hey Mom" today. Give 25 cents every time she yells back. (10 cents for every hour of tv I watch this evening!)

Thursday: Chickens
Kentucky families who make less than $6,000 a year benefit from added income from dairy and beef cattle, dairy goats and chickens for egg and food production. What's in the fridge? Add 5 cents for every egg you find in your refrigerator, or 50 cents for every dozen. (I had no eggs in our fridge, so I put in 5o cents for one jar of butter and one jar of creme fraiche.)

Friday: Vegetables
By growing vegetable gardens, youths living amid violence and poverty are being taught valuable entrepreneurial skills while contributing to household income. Does ketchup count? For every different kind of vegetable in your refrigerator, add 5 cents.

Saturday: Goat
Humans have relied on goats for their milk, meat, hair and skin for thousands of years. Because goats are friendly and affectionate, caring for them is often considered a good chore for children. Do you like cheese made from goat milk? If so, give 15 cents. If not, give 20 cents.

Fill up the ark... Yay!!!