The Pilgrimage

Several of the South Africans I traveled with on the World Race in 2006 are now working with a South African organization called Global Challenge Expeditions. This group puts on several different world-race-like mission trips of various sorts.

They have put together a fascinating new program called The Pilgrimage, which is basically a study tour of biblical and church history, followed by opportunities to serve in places facing poverty and persecution.

Though most people probably don't have $10,000 and 6 months free time at their disposal, this trip looks like it would make a fascinating sabbatical for a pastor or professor.

Starting point: South Africa

Countries to be visited: Zambia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, England, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Dubai and Oman

Curriculum content:

Africa

In Ethiopia, the birthplace of the early church, you will:
-Walk along the ancient church
-Read early church history
-Visit a traditional church

In Egypt, land of the ancient pyramids, you will:
-Study the leadership of Moses
-Travel the Exodus route of the Israelites
-Read through the Pentateuch
-Understand the origin and beliefs of the Muslim faith
-Prescribed reading: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen and Veritas module 1

The Middle East

While travelling through Israel you will:
-Be fascinated by the Scriptures in its historical context
-Start to understand the complexities of the Middle East
-Read and study the life of Jesus

In Oman you will :
-Study more Old Testament History.
-Prescribed reading: Job, 1 and 2 Kings, the Prophets, One of the gospels, Actsand Veritas module 2

Europe

You will visit the ancient ruins of Turkey and Greece and:
-Follow in the footsteps of the first apostles
-Develop a desire to have a deeper understanding of Scripture

Through, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and England, you will:
-See how God has been faithful to his church through the previous centuries
-Understand the suffering many of the early believers faced
-Commit to search and carry the truth in your own generation
-Marvel at the beautiful art, buildings and history there is to discover
-Prescribed reading: Paul, Peter, John’s letters and Veritas module 3

The Far East

Be amazed by the ancient history and culture of China and:
-Be challenged by the price fellow believers pay in their desire to follow Christ
-Be inspired by the lives of fellow Christians

In Thailand you will have the opportunity to rest.

In India, among the contrasting aromas and bright colours, you will:
-Study the main religions of the world
-Face the devastating effects of poverty
-Come to a deeper understanding of God’s heart for the poor
-Partake in a local church being planted
-Serve at an orphanage
-Prescribed reading: Revelation, Ester, Hudson Taylor, The Heavenly Man and Veritas module 4

Sell and Give

Here's an interesting challenge by Children's Hopechest to encourage a spirit of giving. This ministry focuses on providing for orphans in Russia, South Africa, and Swaziland, but the concept could apply to raise money for any charity of your choice (as well as clearing your house of stuff you don't use!).

Check it out:

What I Have

May 11, 2008 - The Day of Pentecost

SELLING THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS, THEY GAVE TO ANYONE AS HE HAD NEED. - ACTS 2:45

SILVER OR GOLD I DO NOT HAVE, BUT WHAT I HAVE I GIVE YOU - ACTS 3:6

The early church was known by their generosity. Christianity was even criticized as a "religion of widows and orphans." As we celebrate the church on the Day of Pentecost, let's seek the same criticism and live with the same life-giving generosity. There are millions of orphaned children waiting for you to give them what you have. Give what you have.

SELL:

*Choose a personal item of value (a leather coat, an electric guitar, a video game system, a canoe, jewelry, furniture, a collector's item, etc.)
*Sell the item. You can use whatever method is most familiar to you: eBay, Craigslist, a yard sale, a consignment shop, or the classifieds.
*Collect the money.

GIVE:

*Go to http://www.hopechest.org/; choose "GIVE" and fill out the form.
*Write "What I Have 2008" in the Notes/Child Reference Number field.

PROMOTE:

Click on the links below to download promotional materials for use in your church, small group, or school. There are several versions of the poster formatted for different sizes and usages. Feel free to re-post this information all over the Internet too (on Facebook, your blog, MySpace, or wherever your online home is.)

What I Have - POWERPOINT SLIDE
What I Have - POSTER (11x17 format)
What I Have - BULLETIN INSERT (8.5x5.5 format)
What I Have - FLYER (8.5x11 format)

These funds will be directed toward the most urgent and strategic programs in holistic and long-term orphan care. Some of those outreaches could include:

*Feeding programs
*Educational initiatives
*Health care
*Community development
*Spiritual discipleship

If you have any questions, contact Daniel at daniel@hopechest.org or (719) 955 4009.

Children's HopeChest is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Help our Kenyan brothers

Adventures in Missions is accepting donations for those who would like to help those trying to get food in the wake of the recent violence in Kenya. They recently posted the following information here on their website:

Kenya Update 2008: Election turns violent but you can help

The latest news out of Kenya is that over 300 have died and 70,000 have been displaced in the wake of a flawed election. Please help us reach out to the poor who are most affected with a donation to help us buy food for the orphans in the slum of Kibera. Any money you give will be wired directly to our base to buy food.

Click here to give.

The country’s economy has shut down and most neighbors at our Kibera base simply have no food to eat – the situation is dire and they are desperate. Alex is an example. He is a close Kenyan friend of ours who was shot in the uproar and languishes in a hospital with minimal care.

Our Kenyan staff has asked God what he would have us do and they feel that he wants us to help provide food and share the love of Christ in tangible ways. Yesterday some of the poor in our neighborhood were able to buy a few small vegetables at a very inflated price. Those in the slum who already struggle to get food on a daily basis are suffering the most.

When we buy food, we work with local pastors to distribute it to those in the worst condition. There are a few staging areas beginning to develop and two have been identified thus far that we are going to try and fund.

Please help bring hope to this horrible situation.

Here’s how you can give.

Teach in the Philippines for a year!

At Fair Oaks Church, we support many endeavours around the world. One of them is a Christian school in the Philippines, called Bethel International. As the school grows, they add a grade every year. I just received this notice from our contact there:

**Teachers Needed**:

Next school year Bethel International School will be adding the ninth grade. We are trusting in God to provide teachers for ninth grade subjects as well as a music teacher, an art teacher, an English teacher and coaches for boys as well as girls sports. If you know someone who would like to have an exciting adventurous year helping meet any of these needs please have them email me.

(Please leave a comment with your e-mail address, or e-mail me directly if you would like the contact info.)