Just kidding

Christel left this morning for 4 days to attend Heifer International’s Women’s Kidding Program. If you’re not familiar with Heifer Intl., they are a great organization working to end hunger and poverty. Every spring they have programs which offer the extraordinary opportunity for people to experience some of the challenges of global hunger and poverty – and come away with a re-energized determination to be part of the solution.

One of those programs is the Women’s Kidding and Lambing experience. Apparently, goats and lambs all give birth around the same time every year. And Christel, along with women from all over the country, want to be there to help… as well as learn.

Some of the activities she will be participating in include:
• A mini-course on birthing and pre- and post-natal care of lambs or kids
• Birthing checks (in the middle of the night!) (And in the SNOW!)
• Daily and seasonal farm chores, such as caring for the animals
• Exploring hunger and poverty issues

This is one of the many things that I love about my wife. Not just that she loves animals, but she wants to be part of changing the world. She wants to make a difference. And does. This is her second year participating. The first year she did the Lambing. This year…it’s the Kidding.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of goats. Take a good long look at a goat’s face. Something’s not right there. What’s up with those crazy eyes?? And those horns?? No wonder these poor creatures have often been used to symbolize evil! At one time, I actually lived next door to a guy who had a VERY mean goat named Lucifer. But I digress.

For the past several years at Christmas, Christel and I “buy” an animal through Heifer’s Gift Catalog, instead of giving each other a gift. The funds help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant. Better still, every gift multiplies, as the animal's first offspring is passed on to another family-then they also agree to pass on an animal, and so on, eventually helping an entire community move from poverty to self reliance.

I remember the first year we did this, we purchased a water buffalo. The kids couldn’t fully comprehend the concept, and thought that we were going to be the first (and only) family in our town with a pet water buffalo! They were already trying to figure out if they would be able to ride it or just take it for walks. It was fun trying to explain how it wasn’t for us, but actually for another family in another country.

So for the next 4 days, I will be participating in my own “kidding” program, as I was able to take these days off from work to be with OUR kids. I’ve been really looking forward to this! Last time we had a blast eating a lot of junk food and having races up and down escalators in the local mall!

And what important lessons will I be learning during Christel's time away? Based on past experience, I am assured that I will come away with a deeper appreciation for what an amazing wife and mother she is. And what a gift her heart of compassion is, not just to baby lambs and goats, but to our little Tribe…and to the world.


-Rob