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Praisegod
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Username: Praisegod

Post Number: 179
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:00 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

With the tremendous need of the tsunami victims, I was wondering what Christian charity you have found to be especially efficient?

While SDA, I'm sure I'm not the only one who gave to ADRA for relief efforts. There's always the Red Cross, but I was just curious as to Christian relief organizations.

Praise God...
Lydell
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Username: Lydell

Post Number: 662
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:42 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Praisegod, if you have found a local church home, you might ask them. Perhaps they know of a missionary in the area who could use the money. That way the funds would be going to someone who would be working intimately with people. I'm guessing focus on the family's web site might have a list of address for this. Or perhaps campus crusade for christ, or youth with a mission might have such a list.
Helovesme2
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Username: Helovesme2

Post Number: 83
Registered: 8-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:45 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've appriciated the work Gospel for Asia is doing.

http://www.gfa.org/gfa/

helovesme2
Susan_2
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Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 1265
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 4:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The secretary at the local Catholic church, assuming it is a big enough church to have at least a part-time secretary would be my first phone call. I say this because it is the preists, brothers and various orders of nuns that gnerally are on the front lines in such disasters. I say this too because all those people take vows of poverty and barely make a subsistance living for themselves so you can know the dollars goes to the needy victums and not to salaries and plush luxeries for the board directors. We have a local group in our community that sends out missionaries and relief through a cordinated effort of several of the churches in this area. Of course, the "initial churches (SDA, JW, and LDS)" don't partisipate in any of the multi-church outreaches. A group from that grou is leaving tomorrow to help with the great need over there. They are in front of the local supermarkets with their signs right now seeking donations. After I read the salaries the high-ups in the Red Cross give themselves I stopped giving to the Red Cross. And, truly know the Red Cross does a lot of great charity. My kids lost everything they owned, not once but twice to tidalwaves and both times the Red Cross was wonderful to not only them but the entire community they were living in in which nearly everyone lost everything. Didn't ADRA used to be SAWS? Another wonderful organization is the Cathloic Workers Association, otherwise known as the Dorothy Day Association. They are not supported in any way by the Catholic Church. However, Dorothy Day was Catholic and most, not all, of their volunteers are Catholic. They are not an organization that would bring help to the tsunami victums. Thy have homes and health centers and outreach centers throughout North and Central America in the greatly improvished areas. My other favorite Christian charity is the Pastors for Peace. all of the ones I have mentioned have websites. You can push their names into search and read about them.
Jeannette
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Username: Jeannette

Post Number: 77
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 4:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Salvation Army and the Red Cross were outstanding when we were hit by the hurricanes this summer.
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 1155
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My choice of the two would be the Salvation Army. I've heard recently that the Red Cross has been divesting itself of its Christian identity and has even purposely not hired Christians. There was a story to this effect on the radio within recent months. Apparently the symbol, the cross, has carried a Christian connotation in America. The same organization in Arab countries, though, is called the Red Crescent, and the flag carries a crescent moon. It seems the organization doesn't care to send Christians into Muslim countries, etc. I really don't know the details; others of you may know more.

Colleen
Praisegod
Registered user
Username: Praisegod

Post Number: 180
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 4:51 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for all the ideas. I really liked the Gospel for Asia approach. They use native workers to work with their own people. As they already have an infastructure in place for the hardhit area, they are already working on disaster relief.

I also appreciated the fact they are a member ECFA for financial accountability. Thanks, helovesme2 for the idea. It's easy to make a donation online so more of you may want to check it out.

Yes, I've had a bit of reluctance over the Red Cross lately. Too bad they've allowed concerns over political correctness and money to impact their service.

This tragedy is so difficult for us to comprehend. One article on the Gospel for Asia website quoted people asking their workers, "Why were we created in this world?" and "Why has God allowed us to face such a loss in our life?" Tough questions for any of us to answer in the midst of the devastation. We can only cling to Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Praise God...

Bmorgan
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Username: Bmorgan

Post Number: 7
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 5:03 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I found this charity this morning.

http://www.newdirections.org/tsunami.php
They seem as a great group. you can check them out.
Susan_2
Registered user
Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 1272
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 7:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Did any of you watch The History Canannel last night? It had on it a two hour program in which the nerator went through the prophecies of Daniel ad Revelations and explaned how they are being fullfilled RIGHT NOW. I did not watch it. I keep away from that sort of stuff, I think I have a phobia about prophecy because of having to attend so many Revelation Seminars as a kid, going to SDA schools and having to attend the Worldwide Church of God simotaneouseley as the SDA as a child, but still The History Channel had a program on this very subject.
Bmorgan
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Username: Bmorgan

Post Number: 8
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Saturday, January 01, 2005 - 7:37 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I received this email from Franklin Graham's organisation this morning. A possible option. I do like Samaritian's Purse, and trust them fully.Bmorgan


Emergency alert from Franklin Graham

Dear Friend,

The earthquake and tsunami that swept across South Asia the day after Christmas could be the worst natural disaster of our lifetimes. More than
100,000 people have been killed, and millions are homeless, hungry, suffering, and grieving. The reports Iím hearing from our teams there are heartbreaking.

Samaritanís Purse has emergency relief teams and supplies on the ground, and we are working diligently to bring help and comfort to the survivors in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. We are providing clean water, food, emergency shelter, and medicine to people in some of the hardest-hit areas. We are working shoulder-to-shoulder with local churches who help identify people whose needs are the most critical.

How can you help? Most importantly, I ask you to join us in prayer for the survivors, for our teams as they work in extraordinarily challenging
situations, and for opportunities to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

You can join us in the relief efforts by making a special gift through our website,

www.samaritanspurse.org ,
or by calling toll-free 1-800-567-8183.

Thank you, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,


Franklin Graham
President, Samaritanís Purse




Please forward this message to anyone who is interested in knowing more about our ministry.

To learn more about our ministry, go to our web site at www.samaritanspurse.org.

©2004 Samaritan's Purse
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob

Post Number: 16
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 9:15 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

For those of you who are concerned about which charities are legitimate, check out these two websites:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

http://freedomcorps.gov/
Melissa
Registered user
Username: Melissa

Post Number: 828
Registered: 7-2003


Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 8:39 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thought some might like to see an update of what one of the missions groups our church has supported reported on relief efforts to date. The name of the orgnization is Central India Christian Mission. It was a very encouraging report, I thought. Sometimes we give, and never hear how we helped.

Dear Friends in America,

Thank you so much for your tremendous prayerful financial support for the tsunami relief.Ý We have 2 teams who continue to work and now our 3rd team is getting ready to leave.Ý We are having some medical doctors and technicians from our Christian hospital in this team.Ý
Ý
Here is the report of the recent relief efforts.
Ý
We haveÝ2 teams working mainly in Mahabalipuram area of Tamil Nadu and the second team in Bhapaiyanagar, Ongul district, Andhra Pradesh.Ý
Ý
Everytime we had a distribution camp, we did a survey to find out the major needs of the people.Ý In the whole region of Mahabalipuram and the surrounding areas over 40,000 people have been killed because of the tsunami.Ý We have had 8 different distribution camps this pastÝweek.
Ý
1.Ý Yalikuppam Camp:
With the help of Bro. E. K. Durairaj and 5 other evangelists we were able to give 150 more nets to the fishermen.Ý They were very grateful to have these to start their work.
Ý
2.Ý Rajanagaram Camp:
The second camp was in the village of Rajnagaram.Ý There were 75 families.Ý We were able to distribute sarees to the women, clothes for men mainly lungies, bedsheets and mats.
Ý
3.Ý Cuddallore Camp:
125 families received bedsheets, rice and also our doctors had a medical camp there.Ý They examined 450 patients and provided the medication free of cost.
Ý
4.Ý Alikuppam Camp:
150 families received food packages including rice and lentil.Ý Fishermen were asking for nets and we said that let us pray and see what we can do in future.
Ý
5.Ý Chinnakuppam Camp:
Still people are living very very close to the seashore.Ý It is amazing that they don't want to leave their broken homes which is very different than other villages.Ý The village is surrounded by water from 2 sides.Ý We were able to help 258 people with mats, bedsheets and rice packages.
Ý
6.Ý Kokilimedu camp:
Near the seashore people are living in tents.Ý Most of their houses have been destroyed.Ý We were able to distribute clothes like sarees and lungies and also rice packages.Ý Had a medical camp and helped 280 people.
Ý
7.Ý Benaprusham Camp:
ÝIt seems everywhere we go people are asking for nets and boars.Ý In this village people were asking for community boats.Ý They say if they have 2 community boats in one village then they can go out to fish and will be able to make money.Ý We were able to help with rice, mats and nets.Ý There were 250 people who received help.Ý
Ý
8.Ý Edaiyur Camp:
People were desperate for food and clothes.Ý We were able to distribute rice packages, clothing and mats.
Ý
Everywhere we went we were able to pray and let people know that Jesus loves them.Ý Again I am thankful that we have several evangelists and people who are involved in making regular contact with them.Ý In the camp of Yalikuppam there were 20 Christian families living there.Ý They were very happy for us to share the message of Lord Jesus Christ with other.Ý Bro. EK's evangelists are having worship services and Bible studies with these people.Ý
Ý
The otherÝteam in Bhapaiyanagar with the leadership of Bro. Kadir and the native Christian leader Bhimaiya has helped over 400 families.Ý They continue to do their relief efforts in Ongul district.Ý The next team is getting ready to go to Mizampattnam near Machlipattnam where lot of destruction has been occured.Ý We are working in coordination with a local preacher Bro. Suresh Jay (Janalgadda).
Ý
Right now as it looks that the major need of the people in the coastal area is nets to fish and also boats - what they call community boat - a large size boat which is mainly used by several fishermen, since their boats and nets have been destroyed they don't have any work.Ý A community boat is coasting $ 2500 with the engine.Ý We are planning to help some villages with the community boats.Ý It is amazing how God is bringing some local Christian leaders in our contact who are helping us to coordinate the relief efforts.
Ý
We are extremely thankful to you for your overwhelming prayers and financial support.Ý Please know that we are doing everything possible to help these people for their physical and spiritual needs.Ý They are extremely grateful to the churches in America who are doing so much to help them.Ý
Ý
We are also getting ready to send you a set of pictures.Ý We will try to have a video prepared as well in near future.Ý We will continue to stay in touch. Thank you again for your continuous help as because of your support we are able to provide relief.Ý We do need help for Community boats and nets in future.
Ý
With grateful heart,
Ý
Your coworkers in India,
Ý
Ajai Lall & CICM team

This letter was posted on my church's website. (http://www.jccchurch.org/announce/?id=103)
Bob
Registered user
Username: Bob

Post Number: 154
Registered: 7-2000


Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 6:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Melissa, my church also is a strong supporter of that same mission in India. Dr. Ajai Lall and his family visit our church each year to update us on the progress of the mission work.

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