Art is what I do to make a living. It is what I enjoy as well. I am privileged to be able to do both. My paintings should last a millennium or more if handled responsibly. You know, few things in life really last that long. No life, in fact, does. At least in the way we normally think of life. Most everything we know will eventually breakdown, die or disintegrate. (This will turn upbeat in a minute, stay with me.) It has been said that there are only two things that will last into eternity: people (their souls, that is) and the Word of God (what He has spoken to and through humans). I’m not sure if that is an all-inclusive statement, but the point is we can’t take most of the wonderful material things we work so hard for in this life with us when we leave this world. In 100 years, my oils will possibly still grace someone’s walls, but it won’t be the person who bought it. So then, what does matter? What will last? Where should we put our highest priorities in life?

If people are indeed a high priority, both now and into eternity, then an investment in them would be incalculable. That said, let me tell you about an orphanage in Uganda that I briefly visited and worked at in 2000 and 2001. Each year for the past 9 of10 summers, two friends I’ve known since college have led or been a part of a small team of workers who travel to this orphanage to assist in a variety of ways. Due to the rampant spread of Aids, war and disease many children have been orphaned in this beautiful country labeled "The Pearl of Africa." In the mid-90’s, a native pastor and his wife somehow ended up caring for 4 orphans in their home. Little did they know how in time, both friends and strangers would continue bringing them more and more children to care for. With help from individuals and a couple of churches in the US, their home has grown to include100 children and has been named “Canaan Children’s Home”. Living in a dormitory style setting, the children are divided up by age groups and live with one adult supervisor per group. The kids are fed, clothed, given housing, private education and most importantly, love. I have visited there twice and know this to be true. The above costs plus the staff salaries are funded through a child sponsorship arrangement. 100% of donations go to the operation of the orphanage. If you would consider a monthly investment in these children, (and here’s my pitch) it would have a lasting impact into eternity. Please visit the web site of Canaan Children’s Home now, to see their faces. Then if you have anything left over, come back, and buy a priceless oil painting.

Recent Update: (September 6, 2009) an arsonist set fire to the older girl's dorm at Canaan while they were out of the building. The fire and water damage affected both the senior and junior girls' dorms. The building is now uninhabitable, and it will cost $3,000 to replace the girls' belongings and another $30,000 to repair the buildings and furnishings.

Thanks for visiting my site. Click on any "E-mail the Artist" links, if you have any questions about Canaan or would like to acquire a work of art. - Joseph Burrough