Clean water is necessary for proper sanitation and survival.  How would you like to drink and bathe in muddy water that has been infected with parasites and diseases?  If I handed you a glass filled with muck and asked you to drink it, how would you respond?  "That's gross and humane.  I would never even touch that water," you might say, offended that anyone would offer you such a disgusting drink.

The truth is that water like this is the only thing that many people have.

Imagine having to bathe in water that cattle have defecated in and mosquitoes and vermin have infested.  Imagine if your parents (or if you're a parent, YOU) provided water brown with filth for your family to drink.  No parent should be forced dangerously unclean water to their children, but many have no choice. 

The 2006 United Nations Development Report states that 1.1 billion people in the world have inadequate access to water and 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation.  Nearly 2 billion people die each year from water related diseases and 90% are under the age of five.  Clean water is such a critical need that it seems almost incomprehensible that people are going without it.  Two in three people who lack access to clean water live on less than two dollars a day, and one in three people who lack access to clean water lives on less than one dollar a day.  This may seem obvious, but this means that the main reason that people do not have water is because they live in extreme poverty.  Poverty is no excuse for people to be forced to live without clean water and sanitation. 

The next time you take a thirty minute shower- the next time you flush a toilet or wash your hands- remember that one in face children has no access to clean water at all.

What do you plan on doing about it?  Are you unsure?  Let me give you some suggestions.

• Donate to organizations that are focused on providing clean water to those who have none.  I'm about to give you a ton of different nonprofits to choose from.  Check out Blood:Water Mission, Global Water, charity:water, Clean Water Action, Healing Waters International, Water Aid, Water for People, Global Water Challenge, Water 1st, Thirst Relief, WSUP (Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor), water.org, Water Advocates, and Water for the Ages.  These amazing people have researched and are currently working hard to solve the water crisis around the world. 
  
• When you purchase water bottles, think about choosing Ethos Water.  This water manufacturer (created by Starbucks) donates five cents to the Ethos Water Foundation.  So far, through this program, Starbucks has been able to grant 6.2 million dollars to the Ethos Water Foundation, providing water and sanitation to approximately 420,000 people in the last five years.
  
• This is a ways away, but celebrate World Water Day on March 22, 2011.  The World Water Day was designated by the United Nations in 1992 to help raise awareness to the water crisis around the world. 
  
• Start a group with your church, school, friends, or family to create a fundraiser to donate to some of these organizations.
  
• Post on your Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, etc. about the need of water.  Post stats, links to some of these websites... help raise awareness amongst your friends and colleagues about the water crisis. 
  
• Raise awareness and education about the international water crisis in daily conversation.
  
• Write letters to elected officials encouraging them to fight to help end the water crisis.
  
• Don't waste your water.  Don't drag out your showers or baths.  Don't leave on your garden hose or sprinklers for too long.  Shut off the sink faucet when you're brushing your teeth.  Water is such a valuable resource.  Don't let yourself waste it. 
  

I take credit for the pictures used in today's article.  Leave your comments... I'd like to know what you think about this subject.

You will probably best recognize Brandon Heath for his singles "Give Me Your Eyes", and "I'm Not Who I Was."  Brandon performs Christian music that ranges in the acoustic, gospel, and contemporary genres. 

Quick Bio-
Brandon Heath grew up in Nashville, Tennessee.  His parents divorced when he was three and he was raised by his single mom.  Brandon didn't grow up in a religious household.  In fact, he says that he heard about Jesus for the first time when he attended a Christian youth camp when he was sixteen.  He was given his first guitar for Christmas when he was thirteen years old and ever since then, music became a passion in Brandon's life.  Brandon went ahead to college after high school and got a BA in English, but he ended up pursuing music as his career.  Brandon released a few indie albums until he was discovered by Reunion records.  Since then, Brandon has released two albums and has received numerous dove awards and even Grammy nominations. 

Brandon Heath's songs are not only uplifting, inspiring, and moving, but so are his own convictions to reach out to the world.  Brandon works with Young Life, Blood:Water Mission, and Restore International.  Brandon seems to firmly believe in the importance of helping out in your community and around the world.

"One of the things that bothers me about this world is that we're all in this for ourselves.  We're looking out for number one.  I don't want to be alone, I want to live life with other people.  God even says it's better to join together in service to Him."

"Give Me Your Eyes" is a compelling song that betrays Brandon Heath's passion to see the world how God sees it.  "Give me Your eyes for just one second. Give me Your eyes so I can see everything that I keep missing. Give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the brokenhearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see..."  In the same way, "Follow Me," a song that Brandon recorded with Leeland, speaks of the same passion to help the needy.  "I'll follow You into the homes of the broken, follow You into the world, meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God..." 

"Wait and See" and "I'm Not Who I Was" are both autobiographical songs where Brandon sings about his testimony, about his past, and about what God has done to change his life.  "When I'm Alone" shares the similar feelings that so many people share.  "Sometimes I get scared that somehow I'll cease to belong anywhere, so I need You when it all starts to show when I'm alone..."  "Trust You" is a beautiful song about letting go of your fears and insecurities and trusting God with your future.  

Brandon Heath has a beautiful voice and an honest passion to serve the Lord.  He is also a fantastic songwriter.  His words can bring you closer to the Lord.  I definitely recommend that you add this Christian artist to your playlist!

If you have an artist/band (Christian or secular) that you would like me to review on my blog, then leave me a comment or email me here.  I give credit for the pictures used in today's article here and here.