Wednesday, April 12, 2006

April 12-19: Zimbabwe in Shambles, Free gospels of John, Gary Weeks' CD, WorldMapper, Update on Abdul; Ted accepted at Oxford, Company named Bookling

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's women now have an average lifespan of 34 years, the lowest in the world, acccording to a UN report released earlier this week. (Men: 37 years.) Zimbabwe was one of the most prosperous African nations just a few years ago. Today, it is in shambles. Inflation is at at least 800% (compare to Canada's: about 2%). Adult HIV prevalence: 20%. AIDS deaths each week: 3,000.

Last year, the dictatorial president Robert Mugabe (82), in an attempt to "clean up" Zimbabwe, ordered the bulldozing of countless slum/shanty town shelters. At least 700,000 already-destitute people--men, women, children--were displaced. People are starving. See a BBC web video about it here and pray for Zimbabwe. (Sources: UN, BBC, ZimbabweSituation.com, ZWNews)

Personal Evangelism
Get a free gospel of John from LivingWater.org. Or make a small donation and get a box-full. Version: "Logos21" (General Editor: Arthur L. Farstad, also Executive Director of the NKJV). Great to give away! Give them to: people you meet, friends, your taxi drivers, etc.

Also good to give away for evangelistic purposes: Gary Weeks' "Eternity" CD. Also free. Contact me if you're interested.

Miscellaneous
Don't forget "Operation Send-him-to-Afghanistan."

Amazing world maps that we can use to pray for the world: WorldMapper. Maps adjusted for population, land area, births, etc.

Update on Abdul Rahman. Received the following from a missionary couple in Afghanistan today:
"Since Abdul Rahman, the convert who was facing a possible death penalty, was moved to Italy his case appears to have moved off the radar. But the issue of freedom of choice in religion will definitely reappear. Some in the streets say he should die as he has disgraced the religion of Islam. Others say that he should have the freedom to choose. Pray for the future of Afghanistan."

Personal News:
For those who know my brother Ted, rejoice with us over his official acceptance to a Postgraduate Diploma of Theology (a prerequisite for a PhD) program at Oxford University (UK) this Fall. That means Ted and I will be based in the same city (London) for the school year 2006/2007!

"Bookling" (and bookling.com) was the winning name in the "Name-that-company" contest. We have defined a "bookling" as an "adorable little creature that loves books." We asked Dave, the one who suggested the name and therefore also the winner of the contest, what he will do with the grand prize - a $50 missions gift certificate. He was unsure how he could possibly spend so much money, but is leaning towards buying some Logos21 gospel of John booklets (above) for his multicultural high school students. :)
ar TORONTO, CANADA | 2023+

APRIL


MAY

27 Sat (1) 11am Commencement speaker at R. University, (2) ~3pm+ time w/ V/AR+
29 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer, (2) 3pm mtg DerCh - Mississauga
30 Tue (1) 10am ph call (AA), (2) 5:30pm video mtg (IsTan), (3) 8pm neighbourhood prayer mtg

JUNE
1 Thu (1) 11:30am Zoom mtg (LM), (2) 4pm mtg (VS,KBr)
2 Fri (1) 10:30am ph call (PVDW; SL w/ boys; ~J working)
3 Sat SL w/ boys and MG
5 Mon (1) 9:30am VT prayer mtg, (2) 2pm Europe call, (3) 5pm mtg/walk (YM)
6 Tue (1) 11:30am lunch (GD) - St. Jacobs, (2) 4pm mtg (AF) - Cambridge, (3) 7:30pm worship night
9 Fri ~J's b'day
10 Sat North Bay trip
13 Tue 11am mtg (DAy) (~J school trip w/ ~Co | text BD)
14 Wed 9:30am time w/ BD
15 Thu 4:30pm video mtg (Paul T.)
16 Fri (1) 9am video med appt, (2) 15-km run (Prayer Journey "warm-up")
17 Sat Prayer Journey (my own: 50km GTA bike-ride; Jessie's: 5KM) and speaking at GTA after-party
23-25 Fri-Sat poss. SL
26 Mon 2pm Europe monthly call
29 ... July 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas

JULY
... 7 Thu-Fri poss. holiday in Arkansas
~8-17 SA+ in Toronto; P/H Bell likely visiting too
15 Sat aft+ baptism (Saj; NaB may be coming)
17-21 Mon-Fri Kids Kapers camp
24 Mon 2:45pm med. appt
26 Wed (1) 11am video mtg (SM), (2) 3pm Zoom mtg (SMa,SB), (3) 7pm ~J speaking at Greenhouse/Zoe - UofT downtown
27 Thu 10am video MVT board mtg
31 Mon 3:05pm med. appt
July/Aug CCWM board mtg / AGM

AUGUST
2 Wed 11am video mtg (SM+)
6-12 Sun-Fri Cottage w/ O/DN+ and UB/AC - Windermere; plus Muskoka
19 Sat poss. ~J fam beach day - Brighton area
25-29 Fri-Tue MoveIn staff retreat - southern Ontario

2023+
Sep 21 Thu - MVT board mtg
Sep 23 Sat poss. date of GV memorial
Sep 24 Sun ~Ch's b'day
Sep ~26-28 Poss. time in Lushnjë, Albania
Sep 29 - Oct 6 MoveIn Europe Conference+ - Durrës, Albania
Oct 21 Sat poss./unlikely date of GV memorial
Oct 21-27 Dollar-a-Day week
Early Nov Poss. fundraising event - Niagara
Nov-Jan Poss. time in India - Goa; Philippines - Manila+; Indonesia - Jakarta/Bali; LA/San Diego