College students learn what how to RADIATE hope for 2012

International (MNN) ― What do you get when you team up college students, a mission, and the Bible?

You get: RADIATE 2011. It's a Bible conference from December 28 through January 1, hosted by Campus Crusade for Christ. Geared specifically for college students, it gives them a concentration of worship, Bible teaching, and discipleship.

The enthusiasm of youth fills the conference center in Baltimore, Maryland for four days, so what do you do with all that energy? You release it. This year's conference theme is "Be Free," and the students are encouraged and challenged to not only live in the freedom of Christ but also to radiate His love to the world.

As part of the conference, there is a day set aside for the participants to put their faith into action. This year, they partnered with Global Aid Network (www.gainusa.org) to assemble and ship vegetable seed packets to over 50,000 flood-affected families in The Gambia, West Africa.

With the help of roughly 1000 college students, 495 letters, 4500 Gospel bead bracelets, 1650 care packages, and 20,650 Harvester packs were prepped for shipping. The impact college students can make through GAiN USA means the ministry can address the needs of the families they've already been helping.

Harvester Packs shipped overseas provides a variety of seeds to plant crops that will yield 4 to 6 months' worth of food. Once the harvest begins, the food will provide meals to save a life, and the surplus food can be sold to provide income for education and healthcare.

In that region, there's growing food insecurity. The government says that upland rice and groundnut farmers are most likely to be affected by the shortages. The poorest households in urban areas will also have trouble due to rising food prices and cost of living. 

Global Aid Network has been working with a Gambian church partner since 2010 to address the needs. Their approach to meeting needs has opened some new Gospel doors in this Islam-dominated country. In some places, the team has been allowed to show the JESUS Film, too. Pray that the Gospel seeds planted take root. 

Food flights continue in Papua

MAF plane is muddied by the soggy
 airstrips in Papua as food flights
 continue.

Papua (MNN) ― It hasn't been on television. Not even in newspapers or magazines. But people inPapua, Indonesia are suffering from famine. It hasn't been caused by the lack of rain, but by too much of it. Mission Aviation Fellowship 

works in Papua and they're doing something about it.

According to reports, thousands of people in 19 villages in Homeo District, Intan Jaya, Papua, are suffering from starvation. Member of Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Intan Jaya Regency, Thomas Sondegou, said famine has haunted the area for nearly four months.

MAF Pilot Dennis Bergstrazer says an expert agriculturalist from England living in the area, and many local villagers, have no recollection of such incredible rain levels in the past.

While Papua has rainy seasons and dry seasons, this year's rainy season was incredibly difficult. "Because of that, many of the gardens have flooded or actually slid off the mountains in some places from landslides and mudslides. If there isn't a little bit of dryness between the rains the vegetables in the gardens start to rot."

According to Bergstrazer, the rains have stopped, but the staple food, sweet potatoes, has been wiped out. "The folks have been in dire straits to get food, but fortunately we have been able to help them by bringing them rice. Logistically, it's been a little bit difficult. Once the food gets to the airstrips it still has to be hiked over the trails for hours at a time."

Churches and pastors are helping with that distribution. However, even that's a challenge. "They don't really have a place where they can stock-pile it, so we can't fly very much [food] in at any one given time. We have to divide it out over several months."

He says four tribes are most affected, "… the Moni, Wolani, Nduga, and Dani, and we get to them several times a week. Population wise there are approximately 55,000 people in this particular area and it's served by eight airstrips." One-third of the population is in serious need of food. The initial plan is to do three flights a week—one flight into each of the major valleys in the area.

Since local churches are delivering the aid, Bergstrazer says the Gospel is being shared. "They may live in the village I fly into, but throughout the week they're walking back and forth and going to the villages evangelizing, uplifting, teaching, and discipling." This is an opportunity to empower the church to be more relevant.

Bergstrazer is asking you to pray as a strike is causing issues. "It's curtailed us being able to get fuel for our airplanes. We have to fly one hour one way just to fill up the airplane with fuel. We could do about two and a half flights with that load of fuel."

To support the MAF work in Papua and around the world, click here. 

Drought aid and rains send relief to Horn of Africa

Mission Network News: "Kenya (MNN) ― More than 13 million people are currently threatened by the effects of drought in the Horn of Africa The drought has driven up food prices and weakened livestock, thus increasing malnutrition, hunger, and famine."

Read more...

Rainy season not enough to bring relief in Kenya

Mission Network News:

Kenya (MNN) ― Rainy season is coming in the Horn of Africa.

This year's forecast is a mixed bag of news. The good news: expect above-average rains in drought-stricken areas.

Read more...

Famine spreads to another region of Somalia

Kenya (MNN) ― The United Nations has issued another warning about the famine across the Horn of Africa saying it's only set to worsen.

In the past few weeks, the number of refugees in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya has swelled from 400,000 to more than 470,000, and desperate families are still streaming across the border from war-ravaged Somalia. Alex Muara with Food for the Hungry says, "There's a huge exodus from Somalia into Kenya. The main reason for people moving is basically three things: the war, drought or famine."

Without the enormous efforts of relief workers, governments, and organizations like Food for the Hungry, these people--still flowing into the region at 1,400 per day--are at extreme risk for starvation. Muara notes, "The emotional and physical strain on families is evident. Some people we talked with have walked for 11 days. When they come into Kenya, they are neither sojourners nor have they reached home."

When they enter the camps, they take on a refugee status. The psychological toll of the instability of life is evident in the refugees' eyes. Muara says this crisis presents another opportunity for FH to share the love of Christ. Their help starts with the practical issue of survival. "It's the encounters that you have day by day that help you share love. In practical ways like giving food, clean drinking water, just helping a child come out from under nutrition, those are very practical ways of showing God's love."

Food for the Hungry has been working in the region since the late 70s. In Kenya, "FH is working with close to 80% of the population of  Marsabit, which is in northern Kenya, distributing food and also targeting nutrition for children under five and pregnant and lactating women." FH has also been working in Ethiopia since 1984. FH is providing emergency food to more than 91,000 people living in the Amhara region and South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) states.
  
Muara says their presence has enabled them to lay the groundwork for more assistance. "Right now FH is in discussions with various organizations trying to discuss the opportunities of implementing certain projects: nutrition and fuel efficient stoves."
   
FH has helped the people build sustainable approaches to survive seasonal challenges such as a drought. Due to their ongoing work in this region, the immediate crisis isn't starvation but rather emergency help to bridge them through the crisis.

Other responses include nutrition interventions of vitamin supplements, nutrition education and immunizations. These interventions are taking place at 34 health facilities and 102 outreach centers. FH is also working with partners in the region to bring emergency help to Somalian refugees entering Kenya.

Although the team meets physical needs, they don't neglect the spiritual and emotional needs. The tangible support allows their team to tell those they help that "Jesus would be in the midst of it all. The work we do, we do with compassion and love of the people. We love because God loves each and every one of us. No one is less or more."

Pray that God would continue to use Food for the Hungry's multiple outreaches to bring relief, hope and the right kind of help to vulnerable children, families and communities. Muara adds, "Safety and protection is one of the key things to pray for. The other is for wisdom and guidance, and I would mention that God would strengthen the staff."

Feeding center now has food

Haiti (MNN) ― Since many people have forgotten about Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, ministries working there continue meeting the physical and spiritual needs. However, red tape is causing additional problems.

For Haiti with Love has been working in Haiti for decades. They often have difficulty getting shipping containers out of customs.

Today, however, they're celebrating answered prayers.

Eva DeHart, President of For Haiti with Love, says, "After six months, on August 24, For Haiti with Love finally has a freed container of food packs donated by 'Feed My Starving Children.'"

DeHart adds, "There are still two: one tied up in customs since February, and one at sea; but we thank God that we now have food and can resume the food program for the elderly, the recovering burn patients, the disabled, and grandmas left to raise grandchildren."

For Haiti with Love demonstrates God's love to those in need by hosting a feeding program, a burn clinic, home-rebuilding program, and more.

However, the ministry isn't out of the woods because funding has greatly diminished since the quake. "We need your continued prayers and donations because there will be dock charges for the time the other containers have been delayed."

Pray that God will provide funding for those changes and for additional ministry for the Haitian people.

Drought crisis in Horn of Africa unabated

Kenya (MNN) ― Tens of thousands of refugees fleeing famine and fighting in Somalia are arriving in Kenya where refugee camps are now reaching capacity.

In a press briefing Friday, UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards said the UN had plans to open a new camp on Saturday to ease overcrowding. "The new site, known as Kambioos, is situated close to the Hagadera camp and has a planned capacity of 90,000 people. Tents and infrastructure are being put in place and will provide much-needed shelter and services."

Roughly half of the promised monies to fund the relief programs have come in, compounding the tight budgets strained by multiple disasters this year. Keith Wright with Food For the Hungry says, "As we look at the situation in Somalia, gearing up to work with what is reaching up to almost 400,000 Somalis that have come over into Kenya, we can reach them through our base in Kenya."

For Somalia, the exodus is the visible impact of a perfect storm. "It's really just a result of cumulative years of not quite enough rain, the flora kind of wears out, and then the bottom really dropped out." Wright says the terrorist aspect of the scenario didn't help. Even though al Shabaab cleared out of the capital city, the real problem was in the South. However, as aid groups tried to get there with supplies,  they discovered that "humanitarian workers aren't just 'at risk' -- they're targeted. Any humanitarian supplies are targeted as well."

Increasing security risks meant that some aid groups had to pull back. However, because FH has been working in both Ethiopia and Kenya for years already, "We're very fortunate that the response is well coordinated. We intentionally partner with the government and other agencies to make sure that the needs were being met."

Although Ethiopia and Kenya share borders, how have they been able to weather the crisis so much better? Part of the reason lies in the Somalia's 'failed state' status. Wright explains, "It's so chaotic. Without that fundamental building block of stability, there's really no way to prepare for a drought like this."

Wright notes that their teams are involved in interventions at 34 health facilities and 102 outreach centers in Kenya. In Ethiopia, they're doing food distributions for 72,199 people living in the Amhara region and South Nations. "There are about 3.7 million people in the region who need immediate lifesaving support. That's the first tier of food assistance in Ethiopia and Kenya. We're also monitoring children under five, identifying any severe cases of malnutrition."

However, because of the longstanding investment in both Ethiopia and Kenya, "Working with church leaders, working on biblical worldview, working on market access, helping nutrition for children, water points -- all those things strengthen a community's resiliency over time," which means both of the regions where they have projects are able to weather the crisis better than they would have been able to do ten years ago.

The hope of Christ comes into play, woven into every part of their response. Their teams are excited because "with the Somalis, that's a tremendous opportunity. Frankly, at this level of crisis, it's feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. That's tier 1 and that is the love of Christ. That's what we're called to do, but it does open up opportunities."

The famine and drought are considered among the worst in the last half century. What can you do? "The main thing is be aware, and pray. These people need absolute grace. These are lives at risk, and then responding materially to organizations like FH and others who are on the frontlines makes a huge difference."

Terrorists leave capital, famine relief continues

Somalia (MNN) ― The United Nation Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says the number of Somalis arriving in northeastern Kenya continues to grow, with thousands more arriving each week.


The stream of refugees is the most obvious sign of drought conditions in Somalia. Numbers provided by UN show that almost half of Somalia's population, 3.7 million people, is affected by the current crisis. The Horn of Africa famine could claim an entire generation by the time it's over. Worse, al Shabaab--a militant rebel group--was standing in between the starving people and the food brought in by the international community.

Fortunately, according to Bas Vanderzalm with Medical Teams International, "The terrorist group that was controlling Mogadishu, the capital city, was not allowing other aid agencies to come in and to help. That group now has left the capital city, and we're hoping that as a result, some of the aid that was needed will be able to go into the country."
In fact, Medical Teams International has an open door. "We've been invited by authorities on both sides of the borders of Somalia and Kenya to establish health clinics there or to strengthen what is already going on."

Vanderzalm says the wave of refugees has overwhelmed the health facilities in those areas. "We are sending in staff and volunteers who are working in these clinics, and providing medical care to hundreds of people every day."

Refugee camps are already overcrowded in Kenya, so Medical Teams International is taking a different approach on their response. "Part of what we're hoping to do in working along the border in Somalia is actually provide the care and food that people need so that they do not have to take that long trek. It's much better if we can help them in the places where they are living."

There have been sporadic reports on fighting in and around Mogadishu, and the U.N. special envoy admits the terrorist group remains a threat. So, even with the promised respite from al Shabaab, getting teams in still poses a security problem. Vanderzalm explains that because of this, "We have to take very strong precautions, in terms of the security of our workers. There is risk involved. We pray for our workers and their safety, but we can't just stand back and do nothing, because there are so many people who are sick and dying, and they need help."

Vanderzalm continues, "We have been asked to go into these areas by the local authorities. They have assured us that they want us there and they will protect us." The African Union peacekeepers and government forces are out en masse to protect the teams handling famine relief efforts. Reports from late July indicate they launched a massive offensive to halt an al Shabaab advance. Even with that assurance, Vanderzalm acknowledges the danger, but says it's even more important that Medical Teams is there. "God called us to go out into the areas of the world where people don't know Christ and where they are suffering, and then, in His name, share medical care, food and other things. We trust that God will take what we do and use it to touch hearts and to draw people to Faith in Him."

Somalia has been a difficult field for outreach. Vanderzalm explains, "We do believe that God is developing and carrying out the work in this place. This is a strategic moment for us to step forward and to be present there and to show the love of Christ in what we do."

A cup of cold water doesn't seem like much help with deadly fighting, disease and starvation. However, it goes a long way to earning people's trust.

Medical Teams International also provides medicines. This is where the impact of a dollar goes a long way. "Much of the medicines we get are donated, but still, we have to purchase some of those medicines. We figure that for about $5, we can help one person who's affected by famine, who comes to us and is sick."

That's already an amazing use of the cost of a latte. Vanderzalm says right now, that's an opportunity doubled. "We currently have a donor who has agreed to match up to $50,000 in gifts we receive for this crisis. That means that every gift that someone might give to us actually is doubled and could help twice as many people."

Twice as many people getting aid in the name of Christ equals twice the opportunity. "We're working in cooperation with Muslim groups in a variety parts of the world, and we find that if we treat people with respect, then they also respect us. It's an opportunity then to share our faith in a way that doesn't diminish what others believe, but invites them as well to consider this faith that brings people from such a distance."
Click here to help.

Church is the body, not the building

Grace Bible Church of Uruguay celebrates 29 wonderful years of ministry. Their theme: Unity in the Body of Christ. (Photo courtesy of Addison Berry)


Uruguay (MNN) ― Twenty-nine years of ministry was celebrated recently by Grace Bible Church of Uruguay.

The church has been working closely with Grace Ministries International since their inception in 1982. Their mission is to minister the name of Christ to the people of Uruguay, both encouraging believers and reaching lost souls for His name.
In celebrating their 29th anniversary, Grace Bible Church of Uruguay focused on unity in the Body of Christ. The passage used to illustrate this theme was 1 Corinthians 12:14-27.

Verses 25-27 of that passage read, "There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (NIV)

Following God's command to share in the joy and pain of others, the congregation of Grace Bible Church of Uruguay collected food for the needy and spent time in prayer during their anniversary celebration.

As people gave gifts specifically for the church, they witnessed their gifts encouraging and uplifting other members within their church body. Such a joyful celebration of unity in Christ was refreshing, especially considering the spiritual climate of the country.

Uruguay has undergone severe separation of church and state since laws were enacted for this purpose in 1918. Roman Catholics and atheists dominate the religious scene of the country, with evangelicals claiming just over six percent of the population.

Grace Ministries International currently has two missionaries working with Grace Bible Church of Uruguay. Ricki Anne Zanella, a graduate of Grace Bible College in Michigan, works with the women's and children's programs in the church. A newert GMI missionary, Aimee Johnson, also works alongside Zanella in her efforts.

Please pray for this church to experience continued growth and strength. In following God's command to pray for members of the body, please also pray for a woman in the congregation who has received troubling news from doctors following a recent surgery.

Bishops in Kenya take new stance on genetically modified foods

By ENInews

4 Aug 2011

Roman Catholic bishops in Kenya told people to eat genetically modified foods to check starvation amidst a serious drought in the Horn of Africa - writes Fredrick Nzwili.

The bishops spoke in response to opposition from some non-governmental organisations and legislators to a government plan to import genetically modified maize from South Africa.

"We are in favour of non-genetically-modified foods, but if there is a crisis and they can resurrect the person for one week, eat them," said Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth of Kisumu, who chairs the Justice and Peace Commission of the Kenya Episcopal Conference.

Okoth said the drought and food insecurity threatened the lives of many Kenyans. This had been worsened by the rising price of basic foods, the deteriorating condition of livestock, and high rates ofinflation, he said.

Groups opposed to importing foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) argue they may harm people's health. But Professor Shaukat Shabairo, head of the National Council of Science and Technology, said the foods could help improve the situation.

"If you are being faced with a calamity and there are no options to explore, GMOs would be a viable source," said Shabairo.

The UN says nearly 2.9 million Kenyans need food aid due to the drought caused by failed rains.

"It is sin for somebody to die in Kenya of hunger. It is total neglect on the part of the government," said Bishop Cornelius Korir.

[With acknowledgements to ENInews. ENInews, formerly Ecumenical News International, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.]

[Ekk/3]

Kenyans Help Kenya, More Help Needed

Kids Alive International "Kenyans
 for Kenya" prayer effort.

Kenya (MNN) ― It's called "Kenyans for Kenya" -- a nationwide effort to help the plight of Kenya's famine victims in the north. According to the United Nations, more than 12 million people are affected by the drought that plagues Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia. Two weeks, ago the UN officially declared "famine" conditions in parts of Somalia, as victims pour across the borders from that nation.

Kids Alive International works in the region. Sponsorship coordinator Jane Mugure says Kenyans are facing tragedy. "Currently we have 3.5 million Kenyans affected by the drought, facing starvation. The UN describes the current famine as the worst to hit Kenya and the Horn of Africa in 60 years."

As part of the "Kenyans for Kenya" initiative, Mugure says children in their Kids Alive homes participated. "We just prayed for the situation, and we gave the money we would have paid for lunch toward this initiative."

Mugure says they were able to give 3,000 Kenyan shillings ($32 U.S.) by skipping one meal. The goal of "Kenyans for Kenya" is to raise $5.4 million. 

According to Mugure, it hasn't been easy for them financially. "Over the last couple of years, food prices have really gone up from 75 shillings to now, we're buying the cheapest food at 165 shillings -- almost double what we used to buy."

On top of that, the lack of food is increasing demand at Kids Alive feeding and residential centers, says Mugure. "People don't have enough food, so they come into our clinic for medical check-ups because of lack of food. We have more in terms of the feeding programs that we have -- more of our community members, Families Together Program, coming into our residential care just to ask for food."

According to Mugure, the government is not able to help. "Currently, as we speak, even the government's food program is running dry."

The irony is that while there is drought and famine in the north, other areas of Kenya have plenty of food. "But the infrastructure and the cost of transporting this food to the northeastern part of Kenya is so expensive, so farmers don't want to transport the food to where the drought has hit," says Mugure.

However, Mugure is praying that God will use this to bring many people to Christ. "We were just praying about the situation and how we can get Bibles to them. Yes, we have fed them, so now we need something else, on top of feeding them. So we're looking at Bibles and any spiritual material we can get."

If you'd like to help Kids Alive in the region, click here. 

GAiN to Help Famine Victims Before It's Too Late

Help GAIN for as little as 10 cents a
 meal.

Kenya (MNN) ― The amount of suffering is devastating. Thousands of people are finding their way to refugee camps in the Horn of Africa, only to find that food is hard to come by there, too. Mothers have lost most of their children as they've walked for days without food and little water. Some children are getting help, but for many it's too late.

The United Nations is calling it the worst famine in 20 years. Nearly 12 million people are affected by this disaster which is affecting Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti.

Duane Zook, president of Global Aid Network (GAiN USA), says the situation is shocking and they are getting involved. "1,200 malnourished children are crossing the border into a refugee camp every day, some without parents. Some families have walked over a month looking for food, water, and shelter."

GAiN USA has been working with a ministry partner in the region for a number of years. "They have asked us to help them work in about 25 camps consisting of almost 7,000 families," says Zook.

Not only do they not have food and water, but their temporary shelters are inadequate. "They've just pulled clothing out of garbage bins [and] put them over sticks just to make a home."

Most of those affected by the drought are herdsman, and most of their cattle have died. Zook describes one man's desperation: "His last cow died. It was so skinny it had no meat on it to eat. So he took the hide into town to sell it for $2 to get a little bit of food for his family."

Ten containers full of food have been donated to GAiN USA's efforts. One should arrive in country any day. Funding for two others has already been provided. Zook says, "We'd like to be able to send the other seven which includes about 1.7 or 1.8 million meals. But unless we're able to receive the funding for that, we're not going to be able to send it. The exciting thing is that  it only costs 10 cents a meal to send and distribute a meal."

As GAiN provides food, water, and medicine, they're able to answer the most popular question: "Why are you doing this for us?" Zook says their reply is: "'We're doing this because God loves us, and we believe God wants to demonstrate His love to you also through this practical means.' So it opens up incredible opportunities to talk about the love of God."

As people turn to Christ, GAiN ministry partners are there to do discipleship work.

Zook says this is a pivotal time for the Horn of Africa and the Church globally. "Unless the church stands up, unless we as believers stand up and help provide, many people unfortunately will not only go hungry but will die without know that God loves them and wants to have a personal relationship with them."

You gift of $100 will provide 1,000 meals. To give your generous donation, click here.

Ethiopian church poised to help drought victims

Ethiopia (MNN) ― More than 10 million people are being affected by the worst drought in 60 years in the Horn of Africa. The U.N. is now calling the situation a famine.

Some of the hardest-hit areas include Ethiopia and Somalia. Steve Wile, Canada President of WorldServe Ministries, puts it in perspective. "In this particular area, there are likely five million people who are living in a food insecure area. They're in an emergency situation, or they're in a crisis situation."

The local church wants to be involved, says Wile. "It's primarily a Muslim area. Our partner has a lot of churches in the area, but they are certainly a minority in a Muslim majority area."

However, these are nominal Muslims, says Wile. "We don't see a lot of the radical Islam fundamentalists in the area, so the people are open to spiritual conversation and are interested in talking about the God of the Christians."

As the drought continues to worsen, Wile says, "What the church wants to do is make the local church the hub, then to reach out to meet the needs in the community. They want to provide food [and water] in the context of their neighborhood. They want to be a witness for Christ."

According to Wile, that's the main focus of the church. "Our partners are so committed to sharing the love of Christ. In some ways, we can be put to shame because of the commitment they have to share the Gospel."

The goal is to make the church more influential and relevant in the community, giving them a platform to share the hope of Christ.

Wile says they can't do it on their own: they don't have the money. "We're looking to raise funds so that the church can provide the resources."

Click here to help WorldServe Ministries.

Drought in Africa's Horn Getting Worse

Drought is affecting more than 10
 million people in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya (MNN) ― The President of Somalia has declared famine in his country as the drought of 2011 is affecting Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, and it's getting worse. Reports suggest up to 11 million people are already affected by the lack of food and water brought on by this disaster.

President of Medical Teams International Bas Vanderzalm says, "Over 750,000 people have had to flee from their homes and are now living in refugee camps and in shelters along the borders. They have no other choice. If they had stayed in their homes, they would have died."

Vanderzalm says the condition of these refugees is critical. "About 50% of the children are acutely malnourished. The rate of death of these children is now three to six times higher than the year before."

While Mission Network News has talked about this drought already, it's yet to hit the international media, says Vanderzalm. He says this could be a catastrophe. "When there are droughts like that in that area, crops fail, cattle die, and people have no choice but to move because there's no food and no water."

Medical Teams International is working through their Christian partners in the region. "They are beginning to provide food and other kinds of assistance," says Vanderzalm. "But they have asked us to help send in medical volunteers and teams."

Medical help is vital, reports Vanderzalm. "When they live in these temporary shelters and camps, because they are already malnourished, they are very sensitive to other diseases. So there have been outbreaks of measles and other diseases that have killed children."

While Medical Teams is providing for their physical needs, Vanderzalm says they also are doing more. "This truly is an opportunity to show people that God loves them and sometimes the needs of the heart can not only be met by physical assistance. Truly what they need is to turn their hearts and lives to Christ."

The needs are great for Medical Teams. Vanderzalm says prayer is needed for those who are suffering and responding. $35 provides medicine for an entire family. Also needed are "medical specialists -- physicians, nurses, and emergency medical workers. It's important that we have people with experience working in this setting."

If you can help Medical Teams International in any of these ways, click here.