Jena Nardella, cofounder of Blood: Water and one of "Christianity Today"'s 33 Under 33, shares how her passion for saving the world grew into a humbler long-term calling of loving the world in all its brokenness in this beautifully written memoir.
"Over the years, I have discovered that we are not called to change the world. We are called to love the world. And to love the world, we are the ones who must change."
Ten years ago, Jena Lee Nardella was a fresh-out-of-college, twenty-something with the lofty goal of truly changing the world. Armed with a diploma, a thousand dollars, and a dream to build one thousand wells in Africa, she joined forces with Grammy Award---winning band Jars of Clay to found Blood: Water and begin her mission.
Jena's dream for her nonprofit turned that initial $1 into $20, and then $100, and today into more than $30 million. Working throughout eleven countries in Africa, Blood: Water has served over 50,000 people with HIV/AIDS and has partnered with communities to provide clean water for nearly one million Africans. But along the way she faced many harsh realities that have tested her faith, encountered corruption and brokenness nearly destroy everything she'd fought for, and taught her that wishful thinking will not get you very far. Jena discovered that true change comes only when you stop trying save the world and allow yourself to love it, even when it breaks your heart.
With a fresh, intelligent, and winsome voice, Jena Nardella weaves an evocative personal narrative filled with honest and hard-won lessons that demonstrate the amazing things that can happen when you fight for your dreams.
"*A portion of the proceeds from this book will support Blood: Water."
