Several weeks ago a story that Tiger Woods' apple core had been purchased on E-bay for $36,000 spread like wildfire online and through the media. Although it turned out that the bidder never intended to actually pay that much and that the seller couldn't authenticate the discarded apple core, it nevertheless left me in a depressed state. I am trying to raise money - a lot of money, to rebuild some water systems in the West African country of Sierra Leone. And it's turning out to be a lot of work.

When I began, a $30,000 project to bring a reliable supply of clean water to nearly 10,000 people seemed not only to be a bargain, but one that shouldn't be difficult to raise money for! After all, all I had to do was to tell people about it and they would all get out their check books and make generous donations. To be sure, many people have responded, but $25 and $50 donations add up very slowly. Our Denver Christian high school team has also been busy raising money to meet out team travel expenses and honestly is doing quite well, but raising the money for the materials has proven to be much more difficult.

I write this, just hours after learning of the death of my father-in-law. Mike was a man who always looked at life from the positive side, who seldom was discouraged and who, by the way, was the consummate fund-raiser. During his career as an educator and administrator he was able to raise vast sums of money for the causes he believed in. Oh, how I wish he were still here to help me.

Back to that apple core, it turns out that a second apple core, this one discarded by Tiger during the playoff round of the US Open, was purchased for $716.66 several days later. A much more modest sum, but still .... We held a garage sale and scores of hours of work only netted $920. More than once I have questioned the priorities of our society and coveted just a little of the money we so easily spend to entertain and care for ourselves, not to mention the money we give to professional athletes and entertainers. But then I recall the vast number of letters asking me to support a host of worthwhile projects that I quickly file in the circular folder. And so I suspect there may be many folks out there frustrated trying to raise money for worthy causes.

Yet, in the spirit of Mike, and trusting in God, I'm not ready to quit. I believe in our cause, I know that it will make a tremendous difference for my old friends in Sierra Leone and so I'll keep working. Want to help? Got some advice? Email me at: Barrym@denver-christian.org.