Mark your calendars: November 20th will be our annual charity event to raise funds for those who are less fortunate. As a context setter, I’d like to share with you a recent experience…

Bugs goes to China

I have spent the last two weeks traversing the distant (for me) land of China. Accompanied by my amazing wife and in-laws, we scoured the continent, visiting distant relatives who are still alive and honoring those who have departed.

As with most trips, this one had its ups and downs. From stolen iPhones to lodged fish bones (in my throat) - this featured more downs than I am used to. I was sick from the water within hours of arrival and personal breakdown after breakdown continued presenting them self as I was faced with surroundings and experiences completely foreign to me.

As the days passed, I became aware to how insignificant my present discomforts were compared to the daily lives of those who are impoverished.

I don’t want to leave you with the impression that everyone in China is living in squalor. As with all countries, there is a wide diversity of income classes. Shit, I could have totally mistaken Hong Kong as New York City if they just shipped more Newman-looking motherfuckers in.

But there are countless poor villages. Those with no access to clean water - much less electricity - where the struggle to survive is a daily occurrence. People whose eyes, when met, bring about overwhelming feelings of guilt and desperation.

There's also the in between - up and coming neighborhoods if you will - where newly built high rises cast shadows on dilapidated buildings, deep in disrepair. Here, you can find a McDonald's, but to the majority of the population, it is a luxury they cannot afford.

One constant I saw: people are people, wherever you go. There's the kind, loving ones; there's the cold-hearted bastards (like that fucker who stole my iPhone). To my surprise, people in the poorest villages were some of the most generous, hard working individuals I have ever had the privilege of encountering.

Regardless of the person, I strongly believe everyone is entitled to the basic necessities: food, shelter, and clean water. I am also of the opinion that people who have access to the basics should do what they can to help those who don't.

This is the purpose of Charitable Rust 2016.

About Charitable Rust 2016

Date: November 20th, 2016 starting at 11am EST

Like last year, this year's event will be a 12 hour twitch stream which takes place in a special event server open to the public. We still have a bunch of details to work out, including which charity the proceeds will go to, although given my recent experience, I’m leaning towards Charity Water.

Our team is working on a ton of awesome server events and we have a bunch of prizes in the works. Stay tuned here for more information as we get closer to the date. If you’d like to help with this event in any way (production, promotion, prize offerings, etc.) please visit the Charitable Rust website and fill out the participate form on the bottom of the page.

I’ll be back Thursday with all the latest Rust update news. In the meantime, does anyone know how to fix 12 hour jet lag?