Help for Haiti

I know there are lots of ways to help in Haiti, with the large earthquake that has devastated Port-au-Prince. We donated through World Vision, which is a well-respected charity with people already on the ground.

Air 1 has a list of other reliable organizations on this web page.

Every little bit helps, but most of all prayer. Someone on KLove radio this morning who has been to Haiti and sponsors a child there shared this:
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
---

Pray for Thailand

Nothing like a thrown-out back to blow away the best laid blogging plans, but I'm back in the saddle today (more or less).

I've got some things for this week, but I want to start off by asking everyone to take time to pray for Thailand. This southeast Asian country is undergoing another round of political turmoil. There are two main factions battling over an ousted Prime Minister, and the protests turned deadly today with 2 people being killed. I don't have an opinion on which side is "right", but I don't want to see people hurt anymore.

Thailand is known as the "Land of Smiles," and Thais are some of the friendliest people you can ever know. I spent 2 months there in 91-92, and it was some of the formative experiences in my life. However, I know that behind the smiles is the bondage that over 95% of the people suffer as they hold to old forms of Buddhism and ancestor worship. Christianity has had a hard time getting a strong foothold there, but more and more there are Thais turning to Jesus.

There is a couple that were on the outreach team with me that stayed there, and continue to live there 18 years later. Please pray for all to be protected, especially God's people, and that truth and righteousness will reign in the country.

Olympic Headlines You MIght Have Missed...

Protests Still Unwelcome in Beijing

Olympic Protester Returns to UK

Olympic Persecution: Inspiration for Olympic Prayer Band Arrested

Just trying to keep awareness up.

Olympic Prayer

If your house is like ours, the Olympics will be on television frequently over the next few weeks. I've been critical on this blog about China and its human rights record and the way Christians especially are treated. However, I view the Olympics at this point as an opportunity. I am disappointed that China continues to clamp down on its people and expression, as evidenced by various news stories in the last couple of weeks, but I don't expect a tiger to change its stripes without divine intervention.

That is the opportunity presented to all of us enjoying the Olympics. I think Christians can take this chance to really pray and intercede for China and the other nations mentioned during the Olympics. I am very globally minded, but I understand that people in general aren't thinking about various countries around the world. Use the Olympics as inspiration to pray for countries as you see events happen. A swimmer from Zimbabwe? A Brazilian beach volleyball player? A Sudanese track star? If the Holy Spirit stirs your heart, take time to pray for these nations. A great resource is Operation World, which has a nation a day for prayer. Of course it has very good information on China. We can especially pray for China while it is highlighted over the next weeks. If Beijing wanted to showcase itself and the country to the world, let's pray that the Light of the world will illuminate the nation and touch the needy souls.

If you want to find a particular country on Operation World, just google the country's name along with Operation World and it should come up easily.

Take this great opportunity presented to the church, to send prayer on behalf of other countries and peoples around the world from wherever we are!

Beijing Surprises

I am so shocked.

Beijing has had trouble with keeping its promise about human rights improvements during the Olympic Games:

"By continuing to persecute and punish those who speak out for human rights, the Chinese authorities have lost sight of the promises they made when they were granted the Games seven years ago," said Roseann Rife, Amnesty's Asia-Pacific deputy director.

Read more in this MSNBC story. Really, it is amazing.

Donations for YWAM Arvada for Shooting Victims

Here is a note from YWAM Arvada's accounting department. I asked them how we could give to support YWAM and the families in this tragedy. I want to remind people that YWAMers all serve as volunteers, raising support from their churches and family to go on these mission trips or to be on staff. I'm sure that there have been extra costs the Arvada center to deal with issues from this event. The families of the victims have extra bills, and there is a scholarship now established in the name of Phillip Crouse and Tiffany Johnson. See the note below. I know there are so many financial obligations and possibilities to give at this time. I only ask you prayerfully consider joining me in donating.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers at this time. We are grateful for your desire to pray for us and to also help meet some of the immediate financial needs for the families. We have established three separate funds that you can give towards:

1) Victims Assistance Fund (to help family needs in re: to burial, etc.)

2) Phil & Tiffany Scholarship (for future students wanting to do missions)

3) YWAM Denver Emergency Fund

If you would like to give, you can do it in the following ways:

1) Check

Please make all checks payable to “Youth With A Mission Denver.” Mail the checks to 12750 W. 63^rd Ave/Arvada, CO 80004 with a note designating it to the fund you would like it to go to.

2) Credit Card

We take Visa, Master Card, and American Express

You can call our accounting office at (303) 424-1144 or via email at accounting (at) ywamdenver (dot) org.

Thank you for standing with us at this time of need. It is deeply appreciated.

Martyrdom in Turkey

Not to diminish what happened on Monday, but there are other tragedies in the world. On Wednesday, 3 Christians at a publishing house were killed for their faith. Suspects have been arrested for this crime.

This serves as a reminder for us to pray for the nation of Turkey. There are 71 million people in the country, and only less than 1% are Christian. This is especially sad considering Turkey was where much of Paul's apostolic work occurred, and the seven churches of Asia in Revelation were located. There is a strong history of the Way that has been all but eradicated by Islam.

God's heart is for the Turks. He is raising up people with a heart for this nation. The killings represent the enemy's attempt to derail the work of the Kingdom in that land. Please pray for God's light and Word to shine in Turkey, and for protection for those serving Christ there. I have a dear friend who serves over there, and would ask specifically for protection for her in her ministry.

Virginia Tech

I haven't posted anything on the tragedy at Virginia Tech because I didn't have anything to add to the huge conversation. I have been praying for all those suffering, as so many have been.

I just read MSN's tribute to those who have fallen in this senseless act. So much focus will go on the perpetrator - how this happened, what could've helped, who's to blame. I know that is human nature and that some of it can be the process of healing. But please don't forget about those who had to suffer and die in such a senseless way.

I encourage all of you to go read about these lives that we will never get to know in any other way. They were God's beloved, and they deserve dignity in this time.