Wycliffe Bible Translators

Hi all:

The last group I want to feature from my "Organizations I Support" section is Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT). This great group was founded by Cameron Townsend in 1942 and named after the English reformer and martyr, John Wycliffe, who was the first person to translate the Bible into English.

Here is a mission statement and progress report from their website:

WBT is ... dedicated to seeing God's Word become accessible to all people in the language that speaks to their heart. In its 70-year history, Wycliffe has been involved in more than 600 translations, representing greater than 77 million people.

Today Wycliffe consists of more than 6,000 personnel working in partnership with expatriates and nationals worldwide.

They have two websites, one for Wycliffe USA

and one for Wycliffe International.

I first heard about Wycliffe as a child when my dad sponsored translators working in Papua New Guinea. Later I went to several fund-raising banquets sponsored by Wycliffe Associates,

which featured missionaries on furlough telling stories of their translation work and often humorous culture clashes with native speakers!

Wycliffe's current exciting and achievable goal is called Vision 2025. From their website:

More than 270 million people worldwide still need God's Word in their language. Without the technological developments of the past decade, and a renewed willingness to try new methods, this task would have likely taken more than a century to complete.

Wycliffe's Mission is to see a Bible translation program in progress in every language still needing one by 2025—Vision 2025.

Vision 2025 is a vision for all of God's Church. It is not a program or campaign. It is a call to commitment. A call to action.

We believe God is calling for a greater sense of urgency in translation work. We believe God is giving us a humanly impossible vision. But we also believe it can be realized, if we work under God's direction in worldwide partnership with others.

If you are interested in the worldwide ministry of Bible translation, our desire is to help you find an avenue for involvement. Perhaps you feel God calling you toward service as a volunteer, short-term or long-term member. Or maybe you'd like to support translation work through prayer or giving. Whatever your interest, we want to find a place for you.

What a great project with which to be involved. Click on the links in the above paragraphs (or here for a neat summation of translation #s with and without Vision 2025) for more information on ways you can help!

hrh

GoodSearch Internet Search Engine

Hi all:

Do you spend hours surfing the Internet?

How'd you like to do some good while doing all that searching?

Now you can!

There's a cool new Internet search engine that lets you support your favorite organizations every time you do a search! It's called Goodsearch.

Their tag line is:

And it works!

For example, I've been searching in the name of CareNet of Southeastern Connecticut since April, and I've raised over $20.00! May not sound like much, but if 4 other people had the same activity, that would be $100.00! And if 10 other people had ... Well, you get the picture!

Just go to the GoodSearch website, type in your charity organization in the box under "I'm supporting" and see if it's there. If it is, click "verify" and every search you do will generate money for your organization!

What a great idea! Thanks, GoodSearch!

hrh

American Bible Society

Hi all:

And now a word about another organization I support, the

This organization was founded in 1816, and past presidents include John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Its magazine, now called The Record, was first published in 1818 and is the second longest running publication in the United States. Talk about a track record!

Specifically, I've been a member of the

for 15 years or so. Every month features a different country or group of countries and all donations that month go in their entirety to shipping and distributing Bibles in those areas. You receive a brochure highlighting the geographical and political statistics from that area as well as the ministries happening there.

It costs $4.00 a Bible, so you can donate any multiple of 4 and know how many Bibles you're helping distribute that month. You can sign up for automatic electronic funds transfer, too, which makes it so easy. Click on the BAM logo if you're interested in becoming a member.

The ABS has many other programs, including The Museum of Biblical Art in New York City, where their main office is located. One of these days I'm going to get down there and see their exhibits!

Even if you're not able to support ABS at this time, by all means, visit their website, which is a great Bible resource. You can even sign up for a variety of email devotionals.

In fact, the ABS runs the Bible Resource Center, which has tons more great information about the Bible.

Check it out.

hrh

Barbara Hall's newest TV shows

Hi all:

Here's some intriguing TV news from Barbara Hall, the woman who brought us Judging Amy and Joan of Arcadia

(Season 2 is due on DVD 11/28/06!)

SOURCE:
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
8/16/06

CBS commits to Roth TV's exorcism pilot
By Kimberly Nordyke and Nellie Andreeva

CBS has given a put pilot commitment to an exorcism-themed drama from Joan of Arcadia creator Barbara Hall and producer Joe Roth. Details of the project, from CBS Paramount Network Television and studio-based Joe Roth Television, are still sketchy, but it is understood to revolve around exorcists and others who investigate supernatural phenomena.

Hall, who is under an overall deal at CBS Paramount TV, is writing the script and is executive producing the project with Roth.

Bob Larson, an expert on cults, the occult and supernatural phenomena, is consulting on the project. Joe Roth TV president Nina Lederman is serving as co-executive producer. This is the first major commitment for Joe Roth TV, which launched in late 2004 with a three-year deal at CBS Par TV and an initial focus on comedy development.

Roth is not a stranger to the subject of exorcism, having executive produced the 1990 feature film The Exorcist III. The Revolution Studios founder most recently executive produced the summer comedy Little Man and directed the drama Freedomland.

Former Judging Amy executive producer/showrunner Hall most recently created and executive produced the CBS drama pilot "Ultra" this past development season. The project, from CBS Par TV, centered on a city-girl superhero.

Larson has written 30 books, including Larson's Book of Spiritual Warfare, an encyclopedia reference of demons, the devil and deliverance, and Larson's Book of Cults. He hosts a radio and a TV show both titled "Bob Larson Presents: Spiritual Freedom" that air on selected stations and on the Internet.

I like Barbara's shows and she's involved with Act One for Hollywood, too.

Both good reasons to check out any shows she writes/produces.

hrh

Voice of the Martyrs

Hi all:

The next organization I want to profile is the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM)

I have been subscribing (it's free) to their 16-page monthly newsletter for several years. Each month features a different country where freedom of religion is not practiced - even if it's ostensibly guaranteed in that country's government policies.

Believe me, the magazine is eye-opening. In fact, some of the photographs of tortured or abused Christians can be hard to see. But we need to see them if only to know that religious persecution is still alive and well in the 21st century.

Each issue also includes several ways we can help, including:

• Praying for specific people who now have faces and names and stories
• Sending Action Packs
• Writing to embassies and ambassadors (VOM provides addresses - and sometimes even postcards)
• Writing to prisoners
• Supporting the families of martyrs or prisoners

You can also subscribe to a weekly email letter that updates ongoing situations in up to 4 countries a week. The 8/9/06 issue featured cases in Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Iran.

VOM has an extensive web presence here

You can view more pictures and video of ongoing cases. And learn much more about the work VOM has been doing since it was founded by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand in 1967.

Check out VOM's ministries and see if there's one (or more) in which you can be involved.

It's good to be aware of what's going on around the world!

hrh

Act One for Hollywood

Hi all:

The next organization I want to write about is:

According to their home page: "ACT ONE is a nonprofit organization that trains people of faith for careers in mainstream film & TV."

Begun by Barbara Nicolosi in 1999, Act One started with a Writing program and has now expanded to include an Executive program. Both of these main programs involve an intensive 4-week summer seminar in L.A. as well as at one other location in the United States. Act One programs have been held in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C, which is helping to spread a Christian voice throughout entertainment communities across the country.

Act One also offers Screenwriting Weekends (formerly called Before Act One) around the country, which consist of a Friday night and all day Saturday crash course in writing for TV and film. I participated in a Before Act One seminar in Boston in 2004 and was impressed with the happy combination of professional excellence and Christian conviction.

Click here for stories of Act One graduates now working in the 'biz.

Click here for Act One press coverage in industry magazines, such as Premiere, Details, and Newsweek.

Last fall they published a book of essays by "Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture" called Behind the Screen.

While I'd love to take their summer writing course, I don't see a way to make it happen now. So in the meantime I support them with my checkbook whenever I can.

My approach to Hollywood is the same as my approach to abortion, which both seem to be Christian targets in the "culture war." I don't want to call it a war, because I don't see that metaphor as how Jesus operates in regards to culture.

Regarding abortion, I try to reach out to women who have crisis pregnancies to help them see a way to have their babies, hence my involvement with CareNet.

Regarding Hollywood, I support Christians who strive for professional and artistic excellence to present a Christian voice amongst all the other voices in Hollywood. And who strive for personal integrity as a Christian witness amongst Hollywood writers and executives.

If that sounds like a good approach to you, please support Act One as you are able!

hrh

World Vision's Work

Hi all:

Since I got an email from
this week all about their work with Lebanese children during the current Lebanese/Israeli conflict, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about this wonderful organization.

• They provide worldwide emergency relief for natural and human-made disasters.
• They provide child sponsorship that helps communities become self-sustaining.
• They provide Hope Child sponsorship for AIDS orphans to save the next generation.
• They are independently audited each year and make their annual reports available.
  

Over the years I have sponsored two children, a boy and a girl, from South America. Now I support their worldwide relief efforts as I am able.

Here's this week's email regarding Lebanon:

Dear Friend,

I urge you to join World Vision in rushing emergency supplies, including food, blankets and clean water, to children and families fleeing the conflict and destruction in Lebanon.

As you've seen on the news, over 700,000 people have been forced from their homes by heavy fighting. More than 200,000 of these are small children. They are caught in the crossfire of a terrible conflict, their lives in grave danger as they search for safety.

Our staff in Lebanon is working around the clock to help displaced children and families who've come to us for help. We are providing safe shelter for them in schools and other buildings. But emergency supplies are running desperately low.

Please rush your donation today to continue assisting these families fleeing for safety. We thank God that He has placed World Vision in Lebanon, and that we have faithful supporters like you who can work together with us to be His hands and feet for such a time as this.

Your generosity in the past has carried our ministry forward. Today we rely once more on your heart of compassion to reach out to children and families in need.

As you respond, please also pray for our staff in Lebanon, working so tirelessly in impossible conditions to help those who are suffering. I am humbled by the sacrifices they are making on behalf of the children we serve. Also, pray for peace in this troubled region.

Thank you, and God bless you for your faithful support.

Rich Stearns

President, World Vision

Thanks for any support you can give.

hrh

CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center

Hi all:

The first group I'll write about is

This is a national organization that supports women who are experiencing unexpected or crisis pregnancies. Their motto is
They provide:

• Counseling about options for pregnant women
• Health information
• Pregnancy and baby supplies
• and more

to help women who weren't expecting to start a family, but who now find themselves expecting!

I've been giving monthly support to my local CareNet center for several years now and am confident that many women and their families are being helped.

The Center holds an annual banquet, which serves both as a fundraiser and an annual presentation on the work of the Center. I've attended several of these dinners and am always moved by the new young moms and their stories.

The Groton, CT CareNet Center also provides:

• Free pregnancy tests
• Ultrasounds and medical help with a registered nurse
• Post-abortion counseling
• Abstinence programs for area high schools
• Quarterly newsletter for donors

If you live in the area and need any of these services, please give them a call. Or if you feel led to support the work with finances and prayers, please call

If you don't live in Southeastern Connecticut but want to know more about CareNet in your area, call or write their national

Thanks for any support you can give to this great organization! And thanks to CareNet for all the wonderful work you do.

hrh

"Organizations I Support"

Hi all:

What's new on my blog?

I've just added a category on the right-hand sidebar called "Organizations I Support." They are all reputable organizations who undergo yearly external audits and make these reports available to anyone who asks.

They all do great work in various areas of need from the most individual and local, e.g. women in southeastern Connecticut with crisis pregnancies, to the most far-reaching and global, e.g. Asian tsunami relief and African famine work.

I have supported the

and

for 16 years each and the others not quite that long.

I plan to feature each one, their areas of ministry, and my experiences with them in future blogs.

Check them out and give them any support you are able.

Thanks!

hrh