Fact: Sudanese voters headed to the polls starting yesterday, April 11th, and will continue until April 13th to elect their next president and 450-member National Assembly.  This election will serve as the country’s first democratic election in 24 years.

Factors such as a complicated voting process, high illiteracy rates, several parties boycotting the polls claiming fraud, and the nature of Sudan as a underdeveloped country have made for a rocky first day of elections.

To read more about the election in Sudan and an overview from the first day of voting check out the article, “Sudan’s Landmark Polls off to an Uncertain Start“ from bbc.com.

A few weeks ago, while spending time at Cedar Ridge Christian Church in Lenexa, Kansas, I met CJ White. CJ is an eleven year old 6^th grader. Upon hearing about some of the extremely impoverished communities LIA is serving in Africa, CJ sought to respond.

His response came at the expense of his allowance, which he saved as a means to donate to the work of LIA. Watch below to hear more from CJ about his heart to serve his brothers and sisters in Africa.

CJ’s decision to use his time, voice, and finances to support the people of Africa and the work of LIA is both inspiring and encouraging. His passion to serve selflessly is one that can be mirrored by all. We are so thankful for CJ’s heart and passion to stand up to the injustices of poverty, on a daily basis.

-Reject Apathy and help free Kelsey Timmerman so he can help LIA in producing our second documentary film.

-Enlist your small group or Sunday school to join the Boxes for Change Program which is a great tool to expose kids to the reality of poverty in Ethiopia. It also gives kids the chance to respond by raising money for the street children in the Merkato community.

Fact: Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries in the world, with an estimated annual per capita income of $868 (USD).

The United Sates annual per capita income, reported by the World Bank for 2008, was $46,716.

Information found from the World Bank, 2008.

People young and old joining together with a common goal and purpose to live out Christ’s call as dedicated full time missionaries.  The people that I have both seen and met throughout the Wi-Ne-Ma conference has truly proven to be a highlight and joy of this week.  Seeing how various people at all different stages of life are able to unite; sharing stories, sharing experiences, and sharing a passion for their work.

Presenting to the elementary classes brought a rush of memories back as the children sang the song, “Be A Missionary Every Day”.  Seeing their joy and smiles as they sang these words was both uplifting and inspiring for i was watching the next generation of dedicated disciplines.

On the other end of the spectrum was Margariete;  an 82 year old women still serving on a children’s ranch in Idaho.  I had the privilege of chatting with Margariete a little about her work and heart for missions and ministry.  Here is a little video to share of our conversation. Check it out!

Our President, Dr. Florence Muindi, and I are up in the beautiful Northwest at the Week of Missions at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp.  I grew up going to this family camp and can trace much of my love for missions and cross-cultural work back to this yearly conference.

It is an unbelievable week completely focused on mission work that is taking place around the world.  Located both next to the mountains and a lake this breath taking landscape on the Oregon coast truly adds to the experience.

According to the conference purpose statement, “The purpose of the Week of Missions is to further the cause of New Testament Christianity through cross-cultural missions by:

• Informing participants about current mission work

• Equipping participants through mission education and training

• Challenging participants to cross-cultural service and spiritual growth

• Providing opportunities for participants to contribute and minister to missionaries in order to increase personal involvement in making disciples for Christ around the world and in our communities.”

We are seeing this being lived out at every session, class, and discussion over meals.  It is only the beginning of the week, but we are already having an amazing time.  LIA is one of the featured missionaries with Florence and myself speaking 9 times this week.  Below I have some videos from bits of the week.

The first one is from the opening ceremony and the second one was taken right after we finished speaking at a main session.  I had handed my camera to my friend Bryce and he decided to record a few videos.  Here is the one I can post.

We can’t wait to share more with you about what we have learned from the different speakers and organizations! Please pray that God will bring us the right connections to continue empowering the people of Africa in new and exciting ways.

Awareness and education is key.  In order to fully combat serious issues and atrocities in the world today, we must speak out and actively seek to create positive and lasting change through our words and actions.

In an article from The Economist entitled; “Imans, Tea ladies, and Condoms” the country of Sudan is used to explain the prevalence and seriousness of the HIV epidemic.  Statistics showed that in 2007 of the 31,600 people that died of  AIDS in the Arab region; 80% died within Sudan.  Even though more recently there has been a lower rate of infection, there is still a great fear that due to the faltering situation within this country this number will rise again and can in turn spread out of control.

The cause of such an up rise to this disease? The Economist states, “sheer ignorance” is a main reason for much of the spread of HIV.  With a mere 1.9% of those interviewed in 2005 in Khartoum state knowing that a condom could aid in the protection against HIV, is it apparent that the need for education regarding this devastating killer is essential.

Education on this matter begins in the form of first raising awareness of the actual disease while also educating on the cause and methods of how the disease is spread.  Many times those that are infected with the disease are ostracized from their community seeing how many believe sexual immorality to be a major cause to this disease.

This article describes the efforts of the state health ministry and their recruitment of 13 daias to educate woman of this area more about the nature of HIV and AIDS.  Though efforts have been made to promote an anti-AIDS campaign the level of ignorance is still very high. Fear of sexual promiscuity has caused the imams in Kassala to refuse the use and distribution of condoms.

The article leaves the reader with this statement; “It might take a generation, and a lot more government money, to shift such perceptions. But without a more concerted effort, HIV and AIDS could end up threatening more lives than the country’s calamitous wars.”

Where is your part? Though you may not be one to travel to Africa helping to teach the local people about safe sexual practices or how to protect against HIV, you still have a voice that must be used.  Educating your family and friends pertaining to such serious issues around the world is the first step in instilling passion amongst others for immediate action and the process and means for positive change.

Check out LIA’s information about the HIV Care an Support prorgam that is used within the partnered African communities.

One of our fearless travelers has made it safely to its first destination!  Southeast Christian Church, located in the beautiful Louisville, Kentucky has given word that our “Urban and Rural Hope” book has arrived!

So what was the reaction to our book and its first sighting?

Ben Thornley, a member of Southeast responded; “I love the theme of “HOPE” throughout this beautiful and impacting book.  It’s often overwhelming seeing these pictures or visiting these areas, but it is a good reminder that in the midst of such pain and struggle we truly can be a part of bringing HOPE to these communities.  A lasting HOPE for sustainable community transformation, but also a HOPE of eternal spiritual transformation through Jesus Christ.  Love the book.  Love the tour.  Love LIA.  Great work!”

After receiving the Southeast sticker this book is ready for its next stop; Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky.  Keep checking back with us to hear more of the book tour adventures, and the reactions of our recipients.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the “Urban and Rural Hope” book flip through some of its impacting pages here.

To purchase your very own copy of this empowering book check out our online store!

Thanks to the generous heart of Wiley Publishing, LIA’s book Urban and Rural Hope has a two page spread in this month’s issue of Relevant Magazine. You don’t have to click through very far to see the amazing ad created by our friends at Rule29 for this special occasion.

We love this magazine and are excited to get to be a part of it.  This issue features some great articles on everything from figuring out how rich you are compared to the others in the world at www.globalrichlist.com to a feature on Toms Shoes, who we also love.  As usual, the magazine is filled with articles and reviews on the latest music and media that is impacting American culture.

In conjunction with the ad in Relevant, we also launched a micro-site for the Urban and Rural Hope book where you can scroll through and see some of the content.  Our goal with this publication is to highlight the hope that lives in the hearts of the people in Africa.  We wanted to show the pride and the power that lives in the people who have decided to make a difference in their communities.  Because all of the design, publishing, and paper were donated for this project, all the proceeds from book sales will go directly back into projects in Africa to help empower communities.

Buy a book for someone you love today and help to empower the people of Africa.

What makes a place “home?”  Some would say family.  Others would say their bed or favorite couch or where a favorite cup of coffee can be had.  I guess your home would be your own personal environment that feels familiar and comfortable for you.

I’ve tended to feel more nomadic over the years.  My home for awhile was the Dayton, Ohio area.  Haiti was and continues to feel like home.  Rooftop beds under brilliant skies have been my favorite.

For me, a home is not about a bed or a specific geographic location.  “Home” is where God has called me to lay my head and plant my feet.  For me, it’s tended to be seasonal. I’ve never unpacked for long - ’tis the life it seems for this follower of Jesus.

But my home base changed this past week.  It is now Louisville, Kentucky.  Not too long ago Louisville brought to mind horses, mainly.  I didn’t get an urban picture in my mind at all when I thought of it.  But I’ve learned quickly that Louisville is a good-sized city, rich in culture, with tons of southern hospitality.  It has many “home-cooking” places, like Mark’s Feed Store, that are excellent.  There are malls and Super Walmarts, Starbucks, and Paneras. Nice!

And now I have my own little place - a studio apartment.  It’s off a main street, but quiet. I like it.  I’ve kept it simple so far.  The only furniture I have is a mattress and a stool to work from.

But all is well.  God wants me to call this place home for now.  And so, it is.

So I ask again, what makes a place a home?  I have come to find that home is being in God’s hands.  And that place can be found by all, in many locations, and in many seasons.  Right now the location of my home is a little studio in Louisville, KY.

May we continue to share this news and play a part in what He’s doing in the world.  No matter where we are or what we are doing, may that be our home.

On Sunday afternoon, I returned to LAX after spending three days in Nairobi, Kenya. The purpose of my trip was to join the other three members of the LIA senior leadership team (Dr. Yared, Dr. Obwaka, Dr. Florence Muindi) for a time of strategy and prayer as we plan the next four years of wholistic activity in Africa.

If you know me at all, you know that I am very excitable when working on strategy, making the three days nothing but cause-based intellectual bliss. However, we made sure that we were being guided by the heart of God through devotionals, prayer and wisdom from those that have gone before us, not relying on our own wisdom. Wise.

On the way to Kenya, I finished reading On the Side of Angels by Dr. Joseph D’souza and Benedict Rogers (read John Chandler’s review of it here). There was a prayer in the introduction of the book that is both moving and practical. As a group we prayed this prayer multiple times during our three days together. I hope that you will make this your prayer today.

O Lord, the clouds are gathering,
The fire of judgment burns.
How we are fallen!
O Lord, you stand appalled to see
Your laws of love so scorned
And lives so broken.

Have mercy Lord.
Forgive us Lord.
Restore us Lord.
Revive your church again.
Let justice flow
Like rivers
And righteousness like a never-failing stream.

O Lord, dark powers are poised
To flood our streets with hate and fear:
We must awaken!
O Lord, let love reclaim the lives
That sin would sweep away
And let your kingdom come!

Credit: On the Side of Angels (pg. 10)
By Joseph D’souza and Benedict Rogers

As I sat in the Nairobi airport, having a cup of coffee and watching Europeans laugh and cheer to the televised rugby game playing overhead, I couldn’t help but think how marvelously big this world is and how marveous it is that we follow a God big enough to hold all of this together.

Grace and peace to you.