iHOPE

Myanmar/Burma AID Updates

  The nature of this blog is going to change for the next week or so.  Between the crisis in Zimbabwe, the Hurricane in Myanmar and this morning's earthquake in China, it seems that there is lots of news that changes constantly.  This blog wasn't designed to be a clearing house for disaster relief, but I will continue to post updates and more info as I get it on these subjects. I will also include some of the regular information that would normally be here.

  The situation in Myanmar gets more and more dire everyday. The government's refusal to let aid in the country from Western countries has only recently been modified.  All those involved affirm that it is much too little and it is getting later and later.  The initial estimates of deaths (somewhere around 100,000) could multiply if the efforts to bring sanitary conditions and clean water aren't successful.
  I placed a link last week for those who want to contribute directly to disaster assistance (see below).  For an update on how our Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working within the situation you can click on the following link:  PDA-Myanmar

Myanmar/Burma Cyclone

  The news that keeps coming in from Myanmar gets worse by the hour.  As of this post, it is estimated that there may be 100,000 deaths from the cyclone.

  What can be done? Some have already asked if we will have a special offering to help with disaster assistance.  In some ways, we already have.  Monies from our annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering (usually taken on Palm Sunday) have already been targeted for Myanmar relief.  One of the reasons we take that offering is so that it is ready and available for times such as this. Since the organization is already in place, the money is able to move quickly and efficiently.

  If you would like to make a direct donation, or just find out more about what is being done, you can click here: PDA Myanmar Clicking on the 'Myanmar/Burma' link (upper right side) will take you where you want to go.

  Whether you make a donation or not, please keep the people of this country in your prayers. They are suffering from two disasters: The cyclone and a repressive government that is making things worse.

Zimbabwe Update- May 4, 2008

  Here are the emails we mentioned yesterday morning. These came through Julia Henderson, the chair of our Partnership of the Zimbabwe-Denver Presbyteries (PZDP).  I have not met Stanley, but Paul is  a friend and well-known in our Presbytery.

  There may be lots of unfamiliar sounding places and references (the 'Zanu PF', is Mugabe's ruling party and 'MDC' is the opposition party), but the message is clear. Please pray for these brothers and sisters and indeed, the entire country of Zimbabwe.

From Stanley:

  Paul is traveling to Mvurwi, 80 Km due east of where members of our church have been brutally assaulted and displaced. Some are living in mountains and forests as I write.  They can't risk going back home; it's suicidal. 

  Some have sought refuge at Tinashe's church, after traveling the entire distance on foot.  Paul shall update you upon his return, which we pray will be safe.  Be strong, his grace is sufficient for us all.

Love, Stanley

From Paul:

    I am sitting in my office with Andrew Makunda our Evangelist at Rhimbick near Mvurwi which is a congregation under the Mbare session. We have two Evangelists in the area and a number of preaching stations. The parliamentary seats were won by Zanu PF, but the area is also not spared of the ongoing operation to weed out support for the MDC.

  There are a couple of torture centers set-up by Zanu PF thugs. A number of people in our churches there have been beaten up quite badly. Andrew had to walk at night with his wife and two children to escape from the promised torture. He only managed to escape at night because they were watching for cars to come and pick him up so thank God that he was advised to walk to safety. They had told him that he would be the first person to be killed in the area by the Zanu PF leaders in the area.

  The crime: all the practical service and help that the church gives is believed to be from MDC disguised as church ministry. The other Evangelist is said to be moving around with these people identifying those that are to be tortured. If this is true one would not be surprised because the Easter story now makes sense.

  Please pray for the church in Rhimbick and pray for us as we will be going there tomorrow to meet with these people and reason with them. Tinashe, as minister of the congregation will be going as well as Wilbert who has agreed to be part of the team. I have asked Tinashe to invite any other minister who may be interested but otherwise they will all be praying for us.

  I have no choice but to follow God's call to that place tomorrow. We walk by faith and not by sight. Andrew has received some treatment at the clinic here and his blood pressure though not too bad got the nurse concerned. There are other people that need medical treatment who have been tortured so we will have some serious decisions to make. Already I believe we need to help Andrew and his family get a place to stay somewhere safer. He will be with us here in Chinhoyi tonight while his family is still in hiding with a friend of the family in an area called Mutorashanga.

  It is amazing to see the power of God transform a person from fear to faith as he tells his story and I just listen and point out some of the things that God says in His word. Andrew is not sure if his house is not yet destroyed and things stolen by these thugs. Please pray for him, it really breaks my heart that he is having to go through all this but then again blessed is he as he is persecuted for the name of Christ.

Thank you for being there right now. 

Paul

Faith & Science

  More and more headlines today have to do with the war between faith and science. To have one, we are led to believe, is to be hostile to the other.  Comments by some scientists and televangelists reinforce this notion that this is an 'either/or' kind of battle and that the other side (whichever it is) is to be treated with skepticism and hostility.

  As with most 'either/or'  scenarios. this is a case of a forced, false dichotomy. We don't need to choose faith over science or vice versa. There are plenty of respected scientists that have a deep and profound faith in God and there are plenty of theologians and ministers that have a great respect and appreciation for science. Since most of what gets published as 'news' today is by definition sensational, these viewpoints are rarely acknowledged which leaves most with the impression that there is a great war going on. 'Wars' and debates always make better headlines than discussions.

  About a year ago I  listed a couple books that I have found to be very helpful in the discussion between faith and science. They are The Language of God and God's Universe and I have included them again in the booklist on the left, 'Books Worth Reading'.   If you'd like to go beyond the headlines and the religious rantings that seem to dominate the airways, these books are a great place to start. 

 

The Cupola Has Arrived

  The cupola has been set!

  For more (including more pictures) click on the following link: Expanding Hope Blog

 

Seven Deadly Sins- "New & Improved"

  Last summer we did a series on the Seven Deadly Sins, based on a list of sins that has been around for about a thousand years.  I recently saw an article (National Ledger, March 13, 2008) that lists the NEW Seven Deadly Sins. In light of the Pope's recent visit , I thought this might be appropriate.

  ABC News reports that in the newspaper interview, the number two  official suggested the old seven deadly sins were largely individualistic: lust, wrath, gluttony, sloth, greed, pride, and envy. But in the modern world, modern sins have a much bigger social impact.

The seven new deadly sins were published in an issue of the L'Osservatore Romano, the  Vatican's official newspaper. Monsignor Girotti named the new mortal sins to be:   

(1) genetic modification;

(2) human experimentations;

(3) polluting the environment;

(4) social injustice;

(5) causing poverty;

(6) financial gluttony; and

(7) taking drugs.

  The point of the article seems not to be establishing new church doctrine, but launching a new conversation about what it means to be faithful to God in today's modern and inter-connected world. 

  I don't think this is going to replace the classic list, but it certainly is food for thought.   

Thanks!

  The call went out and people answered.

  We moved the offices on Monday and we couldn't have done it without the 12-15 people who came by and made it happen. Because of them, we not only moved the 'big' furniture (desks, tables, file cabinets), but we also were able to move many of the supplies and clear the main offices.  Thank you!

  Thanks too, to Session for providing lunch for everyone. It came at just the right time.

  With a little luck we will be pretty much 'up and running' by Wednesday. We may even have a bulletin on Sunday!

 

Moving Day

  Well, today is moving day.  Last week my office was out of commission. This week, the rest of the offices get moved.
  Administration offices will be moved to what is currently Fellowship Hall #3 (the fact that this has been the Pre-School room will likely be the source of more than a few jokes).  The rest of us will find places to work throughout the week in classrooms or other spaces while at church.  It should be interesting.
  In case you call this week and don't get a 'live' voice, it may be because we are still setting up our phones. We'll respond to voice mail messages and of course, emails. 

 

Theology

  The quote by Rob Bell last week reminded me of another observation by one of my favorite authors, Frederich Buechner.  In his book, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC he muses about the word 'Theology'

Theology is the study of God and his ways.  For all we know, dung beetles may study man and his ways and call it humanology.  If so, we would probably be more touched and amused than irritated. One hopes that God feels likewise.

Dropping By

  The next time you drop by my office, you might notice something is missing:  Me!

  The time has come when my office will no longer be habitable. In fact, soon it won't even exist!  The same will be true of all of our offices in a week or two. If they won't be demolished, they will be remodeled and be 'off limits' for about five months.

  To answer the most frequently asked questions:

1. Yes, all those books had to go in boxes.
2. No, I don't know where they all are. The ones I use the most are in my study at home.
3. It will be this way until the end of construction, sometime next fall
4. The best way to connect with me is through the office phone or my email. Our main office will move to Fellowship Hall for the duration of construction.
5. Yes, we're still having fun!