Outreach

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

technicaleffects — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:56:55 -0400

Dear Friend,

As I write this, our nation has been shocked by the tragedy that has taken place on the campus of Virginia Tech. My heart goes out to the grieving families.

These families�??and the entire Virginia Tech community�??desperately need our prayers. I�??m writing to ask you to pray. As the news fades from the spotlight, their great need for healing will remain.

Within hours of the shooting, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association dispatched a team of specially trained chaplains known as the Rapid Response Team to Blacksburg to care for family members, students, faculty, and first-responders. These chaplains are equipped to minister to people who have been severely traumatized and to respond to painful questions during those difficult first hours. They provide hope and offer the compassion of �??the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles�?? (1 Corinthians 1:3�??4, NIV).

Please Pray:

For the victims and their families
For our Rapid Response Team chaplains
That people might come to know the peace of Jesus Christ

Please check our Web site for more information and updates on our Rapid Response Team as they minister to hurting people in Blacksburg.

May God bless these suffering families with the peace that only He can give.

Sincerely,

Freedom In Christ at www.enewhope.org

technicaleffects — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:47:27 -0400

Get WOW Hymns CD - Feed a Child

technicaleffects — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:44:42 -0400

Drastic food shortages are threatening millions in Africa. World Vision is positioned to assist more than half a million of these children and their families, but we need your help.

World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, has partnered with WORD Entertainment to offer the new WOW Hymns Double CD set at no additional cost to anyone who gives a gift of $20 or more.

The government has awarded grants for $12.7 million to feed families and children in Africa. Thanks to these grants, your $20 gift will multiply eight times in impact to help feed six hungry children in Africa! The need is urgent, please respond now!

New Hope in Sri Lanka

technicaleffects — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 23:09:28 -0400

Habitat for Humanity International

technicaleffects — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 01:52:29 -0500

What is Habitat for Humanity International?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda.

How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

What does a Habitat house cost?
Throughout the world, the cost of houses varies from as little as $800 in some developing countries to an average of nearly $60,000 in the United States.

Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years.

What are Habitat affiliates?
Habitat for Humanity's work is accomplished at the community level by affiliates -- independent, locally run, nonprofit organizations. Each affiliate coordinates all aspects of Habitat home building in its local area -- fund raising, building site selection, partner family selection and support, house construction and mortgage servicing.

Habitat for Humanity International's headquarters, located in Americus, Ga., USA, provides information, training and a variety of other support services to Habitat affiliates worldwide.

All Habitat affiliates are asked to "tithe" -- to give 10 percent of their contributions to fund house-building work in other nations. Tithing provides much-needed funds for international building, and it also gives affiliates the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership. In 2001, U.S. affiliates tithed $9.04 million to support Habitat's work overseas. Some affiliates in developing countries also receive funding grants from Habitat for Humanity International.

Where does Habitat for Humanity operate?
Habitat is a worldwide, grass-roots movement. There are more than 2,300 active affiliates in 92 countries, including all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Use our affiliate search to find Habitat affiliates in your area.

See our Habitat Affiliates Worldwide section for information on each country in which Habitat is at work, including progress reports, project descriptions and affordable housing needs.

How are the partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

If your family, or a family you know, is in need of decent, affordable housing, contact the Habitat affiliate nearest you. If you're not sure where a local Habitat affiliate might be, use our search engine to find the names and phone numbers of affiliates in your area, or contact the Habitat help line at (800)422-4828, Ext. 2551 or 2552. Your local affiliate can give you information on the availability, size, costs and sweat-equity requirements for Habitat houses in your area, as well as information on the application process.

How are donations distributed and used?
Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to HFHI, are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by HFHI that are designated to a specific affiliate or building project are forwarded to that affiliate or project. Undesignated gifts are used where most needed and for administrative expenses. HFHI's most recent audited financial statement is available online.

Who controls and manages Habitat for Humanity International?
An ecumenical, international board of directors determines policy and oversees and guides the mission of Habitat for Humanity International. Board members are dedicated volunteers who are deeply concerned about the problems of poverty housing around the world.

The HFHI headquarters office operates with an administrative staff, assisted by a core group of professional and support employees and supplemented by long-term and short-term volunteers. Each Habitat for Humanity affiliate is managed by its own local volunteer board.

How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat for Humanity International is not a government agency, nor does it accept government funds for the construction of houses. However, Habitat considers all levels of government and governmental agencies important partners in its mission to eliminate poverty housing. We encourage governments to do what they can to help alleviate the suffering of all those who have no decent, adequate place to live.

Habitat for Humanity welcomes partnerships with governments to help "set the stage" for the construction of houses. Stage-setting funding and gifts might include land, houses for rehabilitation, infrastructure for streets, utilities and administrative expenses.

How does a Habitat for Humanity affiliate get started?
Habitat affiliates start when concerned citizens of diverse backgrounds come together to address the problem of poverty housing in their community. These volunteers research the community's affordable housing needs and resources, and evaluate the potential success of Habitat's self-help model in their community. The group then applies to HFHI to become an official Habitat affiliate.

If you are interested in eliminating poverty housing in your community, please contact HFHI headquarters for information on establishing a Habitat affiliate. Persons calling from inside the United States can call (800)HABITAT -- (800) 422-4828. Those calling from outside the United States may contact HFHI headquarters at 01-(229) 924-6935.

How can I become a volunteer?
To volunteer where you live, use our affiliate search engine to find contact information for your local affiliate. Other opportunities to support Habitat's work also are available -- see our get involved section.

How can I get more information?
For additional information, see the other sections of this Web site, see our contact information page, or write or phone our international headquarters:

Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498
U.S.A.
(229) 924-6935
publicinfo@habitat.org

Warm Blankets International

technicaleffects — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 01:38:32 -0500

Our Mission

The mission of Warm Blankets Orphan Care International is to restore the lives of orphans in partnership with churches, corporations, organizations and individuals who have a passion to help needy, parentless children.

Our Commitments

Building awareness of the despair faced by children around the world and the ways in which their needs can be addressed.
Providing resources that meet sustained spiritual, physical, social and emotional needs of children under our care.
Sharing the message of the transforming power of Christ's love through words and action to each child.
Implementing the Biblical principle of caring for widows through involving them in our orphan care homes, when it is possible.
Partnering with other organizations to maximize efficiency through specialization.
Fostering development efforts that bring about self-sufficiency of individual homes and the children raised in them.
Maximizing the giving power of donors and sponsors through partnerships, matching grants and auditing programs.

Scriptural Proclamation
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27

Statement of Faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe in the deity and humanity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory.

4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.

6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender, and class differences.

Partnering
Warm Blankets Orphan Care International partners with and supports other like-minded organizations to effectively carry out our mission to minister to the orphans of this world.

Church/ Home Model
Our mission is achieved as we provide holistic care to orphans in the context of a family-environment, through our effective church/ home model.

Heifer International

technicaleffects — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:12:07 -0500

Bringing an End to World Hunger Through Unimaginable Blessings

Today, millions of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs and fresh vegetables.

Families who for generations knew only poverty will be building new homes and starting businesses.

Children who once headed out to the fields to do backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read.

And people who never thought they�??d be in a position to help someone else will be experiencing the joy of charitable giving.

How is this possible?

With Heifer�??s proven approach �?? almost 60 years in the making �?? to helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income.

Agroecology
In a world where land is overused, community members need to learn how to protect and rejuvenate their land, water and other natural resources. Heifer helps by teaching environmentally sound agricultural techniques.

Animal Well-Being
Before any Heifer animal is passed along to a project partner, Heifer trains the new recipient in animal management, using our strictly enforced. Animal Welfare Guidelines

Gender Equity
In Heifer's view, gender equity is a social justice and human rights issue that directly leads to ending hunger and poverty. That's why our participants are equal partners in sustainable development projects.

HIV-AIDS
Today, we as a world community, confront AIDS, a virus that in the past 25 years has either infected or killed over 64 million people. It is not only a health issue, as it fractures every sector of society, for Heifer, it is a prominent concern in the arena of sustainable development. This is why Heifer is incorporating HIV/AIDS education in our community training groups.

Microenterprise
Heifer provides both "no-interest living loans" in the form of livestock, as well as small monetary loans to help people start and expand businesses that yield big benefits for families.

Urban Agriculture
Heifer is reconnecting city-dwellers with their food sources, building strong alliances and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit among adults and youth through our Urban Agriculture projects.

Young People's Initiative
Heifer weaves youth-focused programs through all our project work and emphasizes young people's needs.

Stories From Around the World

Read stories from Heifer projects around the world and updates on many of Heifer's initiatives and key components - including sustainable development, passing on the gift, peace, gender equity and more.

Heifer's Success in Africa
Heifer's earliest on-going African project began in 1974 in Tanzania, which was soon followed by the establishment of Heifer Cameroon. Since then, the Africa Program has grown to encompass every geographical region of the continent. Read more.

Heifer's Success in Asia and The South Pacific
Heifer's Asia/South Pacific Program is creating an ever-expanding number of rural communities that are achieving sustainable livelihoods. Read more.

Heifer's Success in Central & Eastern Europe
Heifer's Central & Eastern Europe Program emphasizes the holistic development and empowerment of small, integrated, private farms. Read more.

Heifer's Success in Latin America & The Caribbean
With the goal of promoting the process of just socio-economic change, Heifer's Latin America/Caribbean Program is strengthened by individual country offices exchanging experiences and sharing resources. Read more.

Heifer's Success in North America
The North America Program partners with rural and urban communities to nurture local food systems through agricultural development. Its successful efforts are contributing to economic, environmental and social justice across the country. Read more.

Other Successes
Heifer's simple yet powerful approach to lifting families out of hunger and poverty has been recognized worldwide, with honors that include the prestigious Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Read more.

Courageous Leadership Award

technicaleffects — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:09:18 -0500

$100,000 to churches for doing AIDS work - Apply Today!

The Courageous Leadership Award was established in 2006 by the Willow Creek Association and World Vision to honor churches that are working to alleviate the human suffering related to the AIDS crisis. Sponsored by World Vision with funding from a private donor, a total of $100,000 will be awarded, with $60,000 going to the winning church and $20,000 going to each of the two runners up.

Could your church be one that is recognized for what you are already doing? Go to courageousleadershipaward.com to find out how to apply for this award. The AIDS pandemic is the greatest crisis facing our world at this moment in history, and the church of Jesus Christ must apply its resources to bring healing and hope to the hardest-hit areas around the globe.

Apply today. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2007.

Step into history. Engage the challenges of our time.
Demonstrate courageous leadership. For the hope of the world.

GoMissionTrip.com

technicaleffects — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:07:28 -0500

GoMissionTrip.com was founded in 2001 with a desire to help missionaries make informed decisions about overseas insurance. We�??ve researched the top providers of missionary medical and travel insurance, making it easy for ministries to choose the plans that are right for their missionary�??s unique needs! We have a heart for missions, and believe in the work your ministry is doing.

What We Offer

A variety of short-term medical and travel plans for individuals and groups, with rates as low as $1 per person, per day (rates vary with age and plan benefits)
Major Medical plans for long term missionaries from several leading providers
Multi-trip insurance especially suited for ministry staff taking multiple trips every year

How We�??re Different

Customized ministry web-pages within our website provide a place for quick and easy insurance enrollment for your missionaries. View our current partners at www.gomissiontrip.com/ministries.html
Multi Quote capabilities that allow you to shop from the leading providers of missionary medical and travel insurance
Personal and efficient customer service when you need it
Our plans allow you to focus on sharing the Gospel to the ends of the earth, knowing that you have a worldwide medical policy ID card in your wallet with a number you can call collect anytime day or night.

Blessings!

-The GoMissionTrip.com Team

ONE Campaign Declaration

technicaleffects — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:24:15 -0500

World Vision is dedicated to building a better world for children. We are committed to tackling the causes of poverty. As a founding member of the ONE Campaign which seeks to end extreme poverty and AIDS, World Vision asks you to join us in signing the ONE Declaration.

"WE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping others help themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in an historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extreme poverty.

WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fair trade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing additional support for basic needs �?? education, health, clean water, food, and care for orphans �?? would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the poorest countries, at a cost equal to just one percent more of the US budget.

WE COMMIT ourselves �?? one person, one voice, one vote at a time �?? to make a better, safer world for all."

Please take a moment and make a difference here