New Year will 'flood' in

Flooding in Colombia has damaged
 thousands of homes (Photo courtesy
 of Nick Violi)

Colombia (MNN) ― The New Year will start out soggy for those living in Colombia. Intense flooding has been ongoing since the start of the rainy season in September, and it’s not looking to stop any time soon.

According to AlertNet, Colombian authorities say this is one of the worst rainy seasons Colombia has experienced in decades. Nearly 170 people are dead and 38 missing due to heavy floods and landslides.

On top of that, the lives of 800,000 Colombians have been affected at least in some way, and around 135,000 homes have been damaged.

Compassion International recently announced that this flooding damaged the homes of more than 50 Compassion-supported children. Additional Compassion families have been affected in other various ways.

The influence of La Nina’s unusually warm climate conditions doesn’t help the situation. Because of this, flooding is predicted to continue on into the first few weeks of 2012, according to official meteorological service forecasts.

Home flood damage is disastrous to a family as it not only displaces them, but it also destroys their belongings, clothing, and school supplies. These things are vital to the children who already need support through Compassion’s ministry. Flooding has grown the need, but Compassion is stepping it up.

Over the course of this past rainy season, Compassion has provided shelter for displaced families in their child development centers of churches. Their in-country staff also works to come alongside flood victims in Compassion’s intervention for Disaster Relief and Stability.

This method of intervention practiced by Compassion provides immediate relief as well as spiritual help and counseling.

They understand that it is equally important to heal the body as well as meet the soul’s needs. Incorporating the Gospel into every outreach and following Christ’s commands to help the downcast is what Compassion is all about.

Please pray for Compassion’s ministry as they aid families of children affected by the flooding. Pray for safety of Colombians throughout the rest of the rainy season. To get involved in supporting Compassion’s ministry, click here.

College students have the chance to make worldwide change for a summer job

USA (MNN) ― Are you a college student who wants to do something meaningful with your summer? Are you looking for more than a job? Something with purpose?

If you or someone you know would answer "yes" to those questions, Compassion International summer internships might be the perfect fit.

Compassion is looking for several summer interns who have a heart for sharing the Gospel and eradicating poverty. Interns will spend the summer at Compassion headquarters in Colorado but will also get the chance to visit the Dominican Republic to visit several child development centers at the end of the summer.

Positions are available for the following in accounting, business, marketing, civil engineering, communications, finance, information technology, human resources, computer science and more.

The internship program is open to undergraduate students graduating between May 2012 and May 2014. Applicants must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA and have completed two years of college by May 2012.

The internship begins May 21, 2012 and ends August 3, 2012. The deadline to apply is January 2, 2012.

For anyone who loves the Lord and wants to spend a summer serving him, interning with Compassion would be a joy. Most degree programs require internships anyway and this is a rare opportunity to not only serve others while meeting that requirement, but to get paid for it. Interns are paid $9 an hour.

Click here to watch a video of former interns' testimonials about the program. For all the details about Compassion's paid summer internship program, visit compassion.com/internships.

Flooding closes second airport, threatens Compassion

Mission Network News: "Thailand (MNN) ― Thailand's floodwaters have spilled far enough into Bangkok to promote the shutdown of a second airport in the region.

Over 360 people have been killed and more than 100,000 displaced in the heavy rains and floods of Thailand which have been marked as the worst flooding the nation has seen in 50 years."

Read more...

Today's debut of '58:The Film' says poverty can end soon

Mission Network News: "USA (MNN) ― The church is winning the war on global poverty. But why isn't it conquered?

Isaiah 58 talks about the Israelites' religious rituals that were meaningless to God because they were not done from sacrificial and God-fearing hearts. This chapter challenges the Israelites that if they truly love the Lord, they will "loose the chains of injustic," and "provide the poor wanderer with shelter."

Essentially, don't just say, but DO."

read more...

Nine Compassion centers affected by Bangladesh flooding

Bangladesh (MNN) ― The city of Khulna, Bangladesh, is recovering from recent flooding while watching rain continue to fall.

Sources say thousands of people have lost their homes due to flooding, erosion and landslides triggered by a monsoon that swept across Bangladesh. Many who have managed to keep their homes in one piece are living in submerged houses.

On August 10, the children and families of only three child development centers assisted by Compassion International
and one Child Survival Program had been affected. Currently, seven Compassion centers and two Child Survival Programs have been affected.

Child development centers and Child Survival Programs BD-307, BD-CS8 Child Survival Program, BD-312, BD-313, BD-325, BD-340 have all been affected. They are located in an area that experiences annual flooding. Currently, many of the roads are flooded, and communication has been hindered.

Fortunately, all the Compassion-assisted children from these centers and their families are safe.

Child development center BD-506 and Child Survival Program BD-CS3 are located in an area that has been severely impacted by the flooding. The center is distributing dry food and drinking water to the affected Compassion-assisted families.

Child development center BD-509 is also located in an area that has been badly affected by the flooding. The homes of at least 50 Compassion-assisted children have been flooded.

If you sponsor a child through Compassion in this affected area, Compassion will contact you on the status of your child.
Pray for the rains to cease in Khulna. Pray for God's provision for those whose homes have been flooded, and pray for those families to cling to Christ and to be a bold witness to others suffering around them.

Compassion supports children across the globe with basic needs, education, and the message of the Gospel. Learn more about the ministry here.

Child Development Centers Damaged

Burkina Faso (MNN) ― A storm that recently hit Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou damaged three child development centers assisted by Compassion International.

No Compassion-assisted children have been harmed and none of their homes suffered storm damage either, according to reports.

A storm of heavy rains and wind nonetheless caused severe damage to Ad Cité de Saaba Child Development Center (BF-123), Kogly Kamba Child Development Center (BF-354), and Kaar Paala Sector 30 Child Development Center (BF-355).

Each center has roughly 200 children registered.

The main office of center BF-123 was flooded when part of the roof was damaged and three rooms were destroyed by the heavy rains.

The roof of Center BF-354 was destroyed, causing damage to computer equipment, clothing and food that is available to the Compassion-assisted children. Also, part of a wall for the church building collapsed.

Despite the damage, Center BF-354 has continued regular activities.

As for Compassion-assisted center BF-355, the roof of a room was destroyed as well as a hallway. The roof of the center's office is also leaking.

BF-355 has also decided to continue its regular activities.

Compassion International asks that you please pray for the staff of these centers as they clean up and survey the damage. Pray that work would indeed be able to continue unhindered, so that children would be able to receive the Gospel message unhindered. Pray for the children and their families as well.

Compassion International will contact you if your sponsored child has been affected. Check for more updates on this situation here. 

Worst Snow in 20 Years Stops Bolivia

Bolivia (MNN) ― While America's Midwest cooks under a heat wave, the polar opposite is happening in South America. Low temperatures are being registered in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia.

   

In Bolivia, the area along the southeast border with Chile (Potosi) has been declared a disaster area due to the winter conditions affecting the country.

  

News accounts say the heaviest snowfall in two decades  brought parts of the country to a standstill. It also stranded more than 7,000 people who live in the region. With a state of emergency, the government can mobilize the army and National Guard to assist rescue crews in providing food and clearing the roads.

The good news is that while there are several Compassion-assisted child development centers in the Potosi region, none were closed by the snowstorm. Pray for provision for the children and families who have been stranded and affected by this snowstorm.

Compassion International has a longstanding history in the region. They've been working in Bolivia since 1975. Today, more than 50,900 children participate in 170 child development centers. The ministry partners with local churches in the region.

Their support helps the church reach into the community to enable the kids they work with achieve their God-given potential. Many respond to the Good News of Christ along the way.