Praying for our kids and families in Thailand

A 6.8 earthquake hit Burma (Myanmar) this week shaking buildings in Northern Thailand. Our friend Faa was in the Northern town of Chiang Rai when the quake hit. Buildings in Chian Rai were damaged and one house fell down killing one women (Reuters).


Yesterday, Faa shared on FB a couple of posts to reassure us. "

Earthquake in chiang mai my sister and beam ran out from the home and i am on my trip i am ran "out too he he he" (Thu Mar 24)

Pastor Ivanildo informed me that Faa is returning to Chiang Mai. Faa wants to be with the kids and her sister, Ning.

In the Chiang Rai province lives Faa's family and our Wiang Pa Pao home--Grace Place Thailand. So please stop right now and pray:

• Ask God to give Faa's family safety 
• Ask the Lord to take care of Faa as she travels back to Chiang Mai
• Ask God the Holy Spirit to give comfort, courage, and trust in God for the children in our rescue orphan homes in GP Thailand in Wiang Pa Pao and the G.R.O.W. home in Chiang Mai.
• Praise God that they are all still safe and the homes are secure.

GP Thailand Home in Wiang Pa Pao

Should Churches be like Microsoft or Apple?

From AP: www.foxnews.com

I read a great discussion about how two mega-companies are trying to help Japan: Apple & Microsoft.  I most like the questions posed by Charlie White (Mashable) at then end of his post:

What do you think of this...? Should multibillion dollar corporations simply donate to these causes, should they try to get us involved, or should they just facilitate our donations? Are these crass attempts at capitalizing on horrific tragedy? Do nonprofits get a pass, as long as it doesn’t look like they’re self-promoting too much? Where do you draw the line?

Join the discussion on Charlie's thread, "Apple & MIcrosoft take different approaches to Japan relief.

I think churches like ours should seek to facilitate donations whether the funds are processed through the church or not, people need help.  When I look at the images or hear a report from Japan, I am reminded of Jesus' response to those in need,

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14)." Or "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way (Matthew 15:35)."

Jesus saw the need and responded. How it got taken care of in His situation was miraculous. How we get it done is either compassionate or not. It's up to you. Donate now!

A few of many ways to give:

• GBIM: To donate $100 now, click here. GBIM has set up a relief fund to help. Ralph & Joan Justiniano, Team leaders in Tokyo, Japan has verified the best way to provide relief and offer prayer requests for their situation in Japan.
  
• World Vision: If you can, please donate now to help  meet the urgent needs of disaster survivors in Japan and other areas devastated by the massive tsunami. And please join us in prayer for hurting children and families. Donations start at $50.
• Network for Good via American Red Cross: How To Help for Japan Earthquake via Network for Good http://post.ly/1jWI7 Beth Kanter's posterous links to a long list of organizations already on the ground and offering help.
• ITunes: 100% of your donation will go to the American Red Cross. Donations start from $5.