Program Accomplishments
Posted On: March 17 2008
In 1998, Convoy of Hope launched its international relief efforts. In addition to responding to natural disasters around the world, Convoy of Hope also has ongoing feeding and water purification programs in 20 countries. Convoy of Hope provides food for some 30,000 families in third world countries daily.
After the Asian tsunami of 2004, Convoy of Hope provided assistance to hundreds of thousands of victims, mainly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India. Shipments containing food, school supplies, tools for helping workers get back into jobs, water purification systems, and many other items were sent into the hardest-hit areas. Convoy of Hope also organized many volunteer construction teams who worked on homes, schools, businesses, and churches.
Convoy of Hope is noted as a first responder to U.S. disasters. When four hurricanes struck Florida in 2004 in rapid succession, Convoy was one of the first agencies on the ground. As a result, the organization received considerable press coverage. On September 8, 2004 in the wake of Hurricane Frances, President George W. Bush visited one of Convoy’s distribution sites in Fort Pierce, Florida. The President had this to say about Convoy of Hope. “The people here tell me that if it weren’t for you they would not have had hope.”
Convoy of Hope is still helping victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In fact, Convoy of Hope was cited in USA Today (July 19, 2007) as one of the top 7 faith-based relief organizations still active in helping victims of Katrina in Gulf Coast communities. To date, Convoy of Hope has distributed over 800 semi-truck loads of food water, and other relief supplies and helped 5.7 million people in 74 communities in the gulf. Convoy of Hope has also organized volunteer construction teams to help rebuilt/restore over 3,000 homes.
Ministry Needs
There are many ways to help Convoy of Hope fulfill its stated purpose of helping those in need. Please visit Convoy of Hope’s website at http://www.convoyofhope.org for up to date information on current needs.
The Navajo Belief System
Posted On: March 10 2008
My friend David Moore, recently shared this with me. I found it so insightful, I wanted to share it with you.
According to the Navajo belief system, problems are best solved if everyone contributes to the solution. During the time of sheep-shearing, for example, when everyone in the extended family is involved in the process, a Navajo elder may invoke the phrase ba-je-la. This phrase is best translated as “everyone must now cooperate in this endeavor by using their own unique gifts and abilities so we can accomplish this task smoothly and with best results.”
There are a couple of things about this aspect of Navajo culture that I find instructive. I think our culture is prone to look to one person (father, mother, president, or other leader) for insight in solving some of our most basic problems. The Navajo seem to understand that bringing together the best that everyone has to offer within the community is the better approach. Secondly, the Navajo seem to have a keen recognition that we all have different gifts and acumens. When all of these are brought together and aligned properly to address the problem at hand there is better chance that nothing will fall through the cracks and the proper resolution will be rendered.
The Navajo language is rich in expressing human responsibility and how it is manifested within the family and the community. In fact, the Navajos were enlisted in the military during World War II to rely sensitive messages to and from the battlefields of the South Pacific. They were called Navajo “code talkers.” But they weren’t using code. They were using the Navajo language. It is the only communications device employed by our military that the Japanese were unable to crack.
If we were more strategic in our understanding of human responsibility I believe we would be enriched, less stressed, and value the contribution of others more highly, many of whom could help us greatly if only we ask them.
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