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. 

Typhoon response mounted in Philippines

(Photo by Earth Observatory, NASA.gov)

Philippines (BGR/MNN) ―More than 1,000 people are dead, and that number is likely to rise in the wake of a typhoon that slammed the southern Philippines on December 17.

The government warns that tens of thousands of flood victims could be stuck in tent cities for up to half a year waiting for the government construct temporary housing to free up schools that are now serving as refugee camps.

The United Nation is calling for about $US28 million in funding to help those affected by Typhoon Washi. Southern Baptists are also mounting a relief effort through Baptist Global Response and local partners in the Philippines.

"Typhoon Washi brought heavy rains, strong winds, and a large number of flash floods to the area," said Pat Melancon, BGR's managing director of disaster response and training. "The government has reported around 10,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and estimates are that 335,000 people have been affected."

In the evacuation centers aid workers were providing food, clothes, blankets, bottled water and hygiene kits. A lack of running water was still a major concern. Many shelters have poor sanitation which brings a high risk of waterborne disease.

BGR released funds to meet the immediate needs for food, shelter, and water and sanitation needs. The initial rapid response also will include assessment of longer-term response needs in the area.

"Storms regularly occur in the Philippines," Melancon noted. "However, Typhoon Washi struck the southern part of the country, where these types of tropical storms are not as frequent and people are not as prepared to deal with them. BGR has worked in the past with flooding situations in the Philippines and continues to partner in providing assistance in this event as well."

BGR was created to help believers become more effective and efficient in responding to global crises and their partnership allows Christians on the ground to be the hands and feet of Christ. Catastrophe often opens doors for deeper spiritual questions, so pray for both Gospel opportunity and wisdom for the team.

Winter sets in heavily over Japan

Japan (MNN) ― The Japanese government has lifted the "stay-home" order around the Fukushima Dai-ichi area.

That means residents can stop being ready to evacuate, and--once cleanup is finished--schools and other public services can function again. Business is getting back to "normal," but after the quake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters, what's defined as "normal?"

International Aid CEO Brian Anderson says as they supported the local church through the emergency phase, they were beginning to see a new picture emerging of what "normal"might look like. "Because the government is truly focused on infrastructure, it does create an opportunity on the personal level for the Christian community to make some inroads with the people and to be able to share the Gospel."

Prior to March 11, 2011, Christians weren't ready to respond to a disaster. "The Christian community there is represented by less than 1% of the total population. There really is a need there to hear the Gospel."

Since then, it's been quite a different story. Anderson explains, "We had an opportunity, early on, to provide two vehicles to an organization called CRASH Japan. CRASH stands for Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope, which allowed them to move people and supplies."

CRASH Japan got people organized and has since sent out over 1600 volunteers to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of survivors. In partnership with local churches, CRASH Japan has planned and accomplished many programs to serve the needs of disaster-affected areas. For example, "Koriyama has a lot of temporary housing that was put up.

Koriyama Christ Church is delivering food to these residents, and at the same time, having an opportunity to share the Gospel."

Koriyama quickly became a settlement area as temporary housing units sprang up all over. "A number of these housing units lack both heat and air conditioning. There are gaps along the roof line."

Many who were displaced hoped that they would be able to return home quickly. As the weeks drag on into months, there's another issue believers are facing. "Coming into winter, there's a real concern about the lack of hope. They really are dreading a spike in the suicide rate there as well."

Anderson says International Aid provided thousands of dollars of medications, hygiene products, blankets and flashlights to be given to those who were injured or lost their homes. They also addressed the human dignity problem. 

"We had the opportunity to provide 25 starter kits made up of home furnishings and items for use in the temporary housing to make those units more livable."

More than programs, the impact made through these relationships will play a key role in spreading the hope of Christ throughout Japan in the future. 

  

However, church partners are tired. What can you do? "Pray for the church partners. They've been at this since March. [Pray] for strength and endurance. You can see that there's weariness on their part because there's a lot of effort, and it goes on week after week. Coming into the winter months, I think that their workload is going to increase."

Church leaders in Niger equipped to meet needs in food crisis

Niger (MNN) ― In Niger, half the country's population is going hungry following droughts which have led to crop failures and food shortages. United Nations numbers estimate that 400,000 of the country's children are at risk of dying of starvation. 

The United Nations pumped $6 million into relief to alleviate the suffering of millions. To complicate matters, most of the population hasn't recovered from last year's food crisis caused by drought, which means the next "lean season" is expected to begin earlier and last longer next year.

That means demand will be higher for existing food, and increased demand will drive up prices. By the end of December, food experts think about six million people will be affected.

It's against this backdrop that church leaders find themselves trying to be the hands and feet of Christ. Jonathon Shibley with Global Advance says their team recently went to Niger for a Frontline Shepherd's Conference to provide pastors with the tools they would need for ministry. Shibley's team "got a sense of some of the desperation from a national sense, but also [we witnessed that] the faith of our brothers and sisters in that country is so high."

While actual reports of churches being involved feeding the hungry are still in the field, it's generally accepted that churches respond first. Shibley agrees. "There's always been a connection to the advance of the Gospel with humanitarian help in that nation, when things are done in the name of Jesus. We need to pray that more of happens, as they're faced with this crisis." 

At the Conference, it was clear that leaders needed encouragement, too. "There are only an estimated 400 churches in the entire country. We were able to bring together about 250 pastors and their wives and leaders....which represented almost a quarter of the churches there."

The team ministered on a variety of topics from vision, faith, church leadership, spiritual gifts, prayer, training Biblical elders, the Great Commission, church planting, and much more.

Shibley reflects, "This was a really mission-drenched conference, where there was a recommitment [by leaders] and a re-fire that came from the Holy Spirit to reach their nation for Christ." In addition, church leaders and pastors got the encouragement and respite they needed "to continue in the good work even though it's a struggle; they've been called to a very tough land."

Toward the end of the conference, "Over 50 felt that God was calling them to try and plant another church in the near future," Shibley says. "Thirty of them committed to go themselves as missionaries to the tough, unreached areas."

In the past few years, there have been indicators that the body of Christ is strategically positioned for a season of multiplication. Shibley says, "Pray that they're renewed in their faith, that they're encouraged daily in the Lord, and that there will be more workers sent to the harvest field in Niger. We believe it's a ripe place for the Gospel even though it's well over  95% Muslim."

Out of the quake's rubble comes new hope in Japan

Japan (IAI/MNN) ― Last Thursday, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan about 100 kilometers east of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. No immediate damages or injuries were reported, and no tsunami alert was issued.

The quake resurrected images of the devastation that hit in March this year.  The rebuilding of Japan has been ongoing, but many are still without jobs or the means to support themselves.

From the beginning, International Aid has been providing thousands of dollars of medicines, hygiene products, blankets, and flashlights to partners working on the ground in the hardest-hit areas. They also coordinated an effort to supply numerous families who lost their homes with "start-up" kits which included items such as appliances and furniture.

International Aid CEO Brian Anderson just visited the northern regions to encourage partners in ministry and some of the people being served. Nine months after the disaster, the majority of the people in that region continue to be unemployed and need help.

Anderson met with their main partnering organization as well as with some of the families that received the "startup" kits to see how International Aid can continue to meet the needs of those affected by the earthquake.

A trip to South Korea was aimed at further strengthening relationships with organizations in the area. International Aid has had a history of distributing aid in the region, and in the past few years has shipped to various Asian countries including India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Strong relationships with partners in South Korea could be incredibly helpful in distributing aid to this part of the world.

International Aid teams demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are suffering.  Please pray for open doors to continue to bring physical and spiritual relief to the Japanese people. Pray also for opportunities to share the Gospel.

Fire sweeps a government-run orphanage in Honduras

Honduras (BOC/MNN) ― In Honduras, government-run orphanages tend to face similar challenges: they are typically overcrowded, under-staffed, and under-funded. 

Buckner International has been providing humanitarian aid to one such home, Nueva Esperanza, since beginning work in the city of San Pedro Sula in 2006. 

However, the ministry is stepping up its response after a fire 10 days ago forced the evacuation of all 150 children. Local papers reported the cause of the fire as electrical.

  

All of the children, ranging in age from infants to 14 years old, escaped the flames safely.  Most were relocated to another government orphanage nearby, but overcrowding at the orphanage causes concern, said Yaneth Contreras, director of Buckner Honduras.

"Buckner staff in San Pedro Sula visited the orphanage to see the children and assess the needs," she said. "At this time, the government is planning to move the children to private orphanages in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa. We will be helping with transportation of aid to the children at the private homes until repairs can be made on the building."

Contreras said Buckner will also be providing financial support to repair the building's electrical and air conditioning system and is seeking donations to help their efforts.

   

The relationship between Buckner and Nueva Esperanza has been building over the last five years. Aside from the aid the ministry sends, they send Gospel mission teams regularly to help meet other needs at the orphanage.

     

Buckner also runs a transitional housing program for children aging out of orphan care. Residents are enrolled in an academic, vocational, or rehabilitation program. Services include case management, room and board, education, job training, tutoring and mentoring.

Buckner International is a global faith-based ministry that seeks to make life better for orphans, vulnerable children, and families. To learn more, visit www.buckner.org.

World Vision Declares November 'Month of Prayer' for Horn of Africa

Christian aid agency calls on Americans to pray, give, tell others about needs of drought-affected children

November 9 is national day to raise awareness; visit World Vision blog or USAID website to join

Photo courtesy World Vision

SEATTLE, Nov. 8, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- As World Vision continues to provide assistance to children and families in the Horn of Africa, the Christian aid organization is calling on churches and individual Christians across America to raise awareness of the drought and famine in the region, and to pray daily for the critical needs of children throughout the month of November. With more than 13 million people in dire need across the drought-ravaged Horn of Africa, World Vision continues to distribute food and supplies, improve access to water and sanitation, as well as work to protect livelihoods through seed and livestock feed distributions and cash for work programs in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

On November 9 in particular, World Vision is inviting Americans to help raise awareness during a nationwide action day by sharing information about the crisis to their friends on Facebook and Twitter. The effort this week is part of USAID and the Ad Council's "FWD" (Famine-War-Drought) Campaign, which World Vision has partnered with. The organization's blog, at www.worldvision.org/blog, will post facts and prayer requests for easy sharing. Participants can also learn more atwww.usaid.gov/fwd.

Spreading the news of the historic drought is crucial, according to World Vision, as more than half of Americans are still unaware of the hunger emergency in the Horn of Africa.

"Donations are urgently needed, but we also realize people can't give if they aren't aware there's a crisis," said Tim Sawer, Vice President with World Vision. "We're asking churches and individuals to commit to pray for the children in the Horn of Africa, but also act by spreading the news so others can give, pray, and tell their friends and family as well."

Beginning this week, World Vision is asking Christians to pray for the remainder of November using suggested prayer points for each day of the week. Donations for World Vision's relief efforts in the Horn of Africa can be made by visiting www.worldvision.org, calling 1-888-56-CHILD, or texting "4AFRICA" to 20222 to donate $10.

Mondays -- Malnourished children. Limited rain and soaring food prices have resulted in dangerously high malnutrition rates, especially among young children. With levels of malnutrition reaching an estimated 35 percent throughout the Horn of Africa, children are prone to deadly diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and measles. Pray for God's protection on these vulnerable boys and girls.
 
Tuesdays -- People of Somalia. The situation in Somalia continues to deteriorate. Famine has spread to six areas in South Central Somalia and an estimated 750,000 people are at risk of death in the next few months if relief does not reach them. Pray for a breakthrough in ways aid organizations would be able to access the regions in Somalia where three quarters of a million people could starve to death.

Wednesdays -- Internally displaced people and refugees. More than 600,000 people -- mainly Somalis -- have left their homes or pasturelands on foot in search of food and water. Camps along the Kenya-Somalia and Ethiopia-Somalia borders are swelling and new camps have sprung up northern Somalia. Already weakened by hunger, vulnerable children and the elderly arrive in these camps exhausted and sometimes suffering from disease. Pray that aid workers can quickly assess the needs of people arriving and get those who are severely malnourished, sick or injured the help they need.

Thursdays -- End to drought. While rain has begun falling in some parts of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, and a forecast of normal rains throughout the region is expected through December, some areas are so dry that water is having a hard time absorbing into the ground, leaving communities vulnerable to waterborne disease and malaria. Pray that life-giving rains will fall at just the right time and in the right amounts, enabling food to grow and wells to fill without causing flooding or crop destruction.

Fridays -- Delivery of emergency aid. Food aid is a key tool in addressing hunger and relief supplies can help people survive in the camps. Praise God for World Vision's ability to secure food aid grants and for donated gifts-in-kind supplies -- like tents -- that are helping families in the camps. Pray that aid is provided swiftly through the supply chain to communities needing it most.

Saturdays -- Those causing conflict. Militant groups continue to deny access to famine-affected districts in south central Somalia, hindering life-saving aid from reaching millions of people. Children and families in these areas are in desperate need of help that may not reach them. Pray God will soften the hearts of those who would deny humanitarian aid to the suffering. Pray that they would lay down their weapons and allow safe access to aid workers.

Sundays -- Governments and the international community. The nations directly impacted have asked for help from countries around the world. Meanwhile much of the international community is still grappling with consequences of the recent global recession. Ask the Lord to help government leaders in the affected countries know how to best use donations that come from abroad. Also ask Him to impart a spirit of generosity to the leaders of wealthier nations like the United State so they will provide aid to effectively help children and families caught in this crisis.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. For more information, please visitwww.worldvision.org/press.

Somalia: Aid Groups Battle Acute Malnutrition

According to WORLD News Service, militants in Somalia continue to be the biggest stumbling block to delivering aid to the famine-plagued country — despite pleas from the international community and a UN announcement that acute malnutrition in the country is spreading. But humanitarian groups working in surrounding countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are providing a way for the outside world to help. On Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked group that controls large parts of Somalia and has blocked food and grain shipments, to allow aid to move “unfettered” into famine areas. At the same time, the UN declared four new areas of the country, including areas near Mogadishu, the capital, as surpassing famine thresholds. “A humanitarian emergency persists across all other regions of southern Somalia, and tens of thousands of excess deaths have already occurred,” announced UN food and security analysts in neighboring Kenya. Despite increased attention since the UN first declared the famine in July, the international response remains “inadequate”—due largely to restrictions by militants. As a result, experts believe the famine will continue to widen across all regions of southern Somalia and to persist at least until December.

Why So Long for Famine Declaration?

Two Somali regions were declaring
 to be in famine last Wednesday, but
 malnutrition rates are far beyond
 that point

Somalia (MNN) ― Famine is a deadly killer. It is declared only when malnutrition in the population shoots over the level of 30% and 2 children per every 10,000 die each day. Declaring a famine draws more attention for aid and relief to the people in crisis.

But when the UN finally declared famine in two areas of Somalia last Wednesday, July 20, malnutrition was at 55% and 6 children per every 10,000 were dying every day.

And this wasn't the only delayed reaction seen.

Earlier, the Somali terrorist organization Al-Shabab lifted the humanitarian aid ban on July 6 when they saw the situation was at critical levels. The UN didn't drop their first aid containers to Somalia until July 17.

"It's been a 1 to 2-year process [for Somalia] to get where they are now," says Jeff Palmer with Baptist Global Response. "Now it's just reached critical levels and the media are here, of course, and major news networks are just beginning to pick up."

But for Baptist Global Response, their mission was not so delayed as governmental responses. Palmer states, "This is not a new thing. We're already in there. We've been there. We're going to be there for long term. It is critical now, so I am glad that they did declare [famine]."

When asked why the UN waited so long to declare famine, Palmer comments, "There could be a number of reasons: Donor fatigue right now...and the problems of working in Somalia with some of the sanctions and things that are there. I'm not sure what all those are."

Baptist Global Response currently has four teams in the general area of the Horn of Africa. They focus most of their work on the nearly 800,000 refugees fleeing Somalia and starvation.

BGR also have some covert work with partners directly in Somalia, but there are many barriers that make their efforts there difficult. The sheer overwhelming numbers of people still in need, the armed violence of war, and UN sanctions against the country are just a few of the obstacles to their ministry.

Food relief is the focus of most BGR programs. But as the rainy season comes in October, they will also work to get products such as seed and livestock back to the people.

BGR staff are praying that the rains will indeed come and that the people will make it through January and February before harvest time.

Along with meeting their extreme needs physically, Baptist Global Response always pairs their efforts with the encouraging message of the Gospel.

"Anytime people go through cataclysmic things within their life...they question: ‘Why is God doing this?'" says Palmer. "We try to give them a message and comfort of hope in God and a positive witness, making sure that we meet their needs because we want to help people where they're hurting."

So far, Baptist Global Response has been able to give a quarter of a million dollars worth of relief to the people in the Horn of Africa. Palmer says, "It's a drop in the bucket, but we're hoping to be able to do drops where they count the most in some of these critical areas that are falling between the cracks."

Please pray for those still suffering from starvation that they might get the relief needed. Pray also that Baptist Global Response efforts would grow with increased funding so they may advance their relief ministry along with the Gospel.

If you would like to donate to their relief efforts, click here.

Samaritan's Purse Arrives with Big Rigs and Volunteers to Help North Dakota Flood Victims

Crews Scheduled to Begin Working on Damaged Homes in Minot Saturday Morning

By Michael Ireland
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BOONE, N.C. (ANS) -- Weeks after record flooding that damaged more than 4,000 homes in Minot, N.D., the Souris River has finally receded enough for residents to start returning to their waterlogged houses.

The international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse arrived in Minot this week with its Disaster Relief Units and will start sending out volunteer teams this weekend.

According to a media release, Samaritan's Purse has already received more than 500 requests for help in the Minot area. Volunteers with the organization are trained, organized into teams and then sent to flood-damaged homes to help clean out mud and debris and disinfect areas affected by mold or other contaminants. They will also help homeowners sort through and salvage what's left of their belongings.

"It's a big job for our teams," said Tommy Belisario, the Samaritan's Purse response manager in Minot. "They go into a house, remove the furniture, pull out floor coverings, take out the appliances, pump water out of basements, and treat the house for mold. People here have been through so much, and we want them to be able to get back into their homes as quickly as possible."

More volunteers are still needed. If you would like to join the Samaritan's Purse flood relief efforts in Minot or make a donation, visit www.samaritanspurse.org  or call (800) 528-1980.

Since Samaritan's Purse set up the original U.S. Disaster Relief Unit in 1998, the organization has worked in 28 states and more than 100 locations. Recent relief efforts include repairing houses hit by tornadoes in Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia, and cleaning homes of mud and debris after flooding in New Jersey. Samaritan's Purse has helped more than 19,000 families and homeowners recover and mobilized more than 35,000 volunteers.

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham that provides immediate, no-red-tape response to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situation - especially in locations where few others are working. Samaritan's Purse has worked in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.

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** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter