Global Awareness--Sweden

This is a continuing series of posts from recent talks to the student ministry of our church. 

The nation of Sweden is very different from the countries that we have talked about in past weeks.  Unlike the other countries we have talked about, extreme poverty is not something that many Swedes have to deal with.  The purpose of talking about Sweden (which has a literacy rate of 99%, and a high standard of living), is to show that although a nation may be rich in material possessions, they are still in need of a spiritual awakening.


Statistics*

Population:  9.2 million
Capitol:  Stockholm
Life Expectancy:  80.8 years
Religions:
     -Christian:  57%
     -Non-religious:  38%
     -Muslim-3.6%

*Source:  Operation World by Jason Mandryk



Challenges for Prayer
(For the prayer challenge I contacted a friend who is missionary to university students in Sweden)

-Spiritual Decline
     -Pray for a spiritual awakening, and that Christianity would be more than read about in history books in Sweden.

-Pray Against Apathy
     -Many Swedes have zero spiritual awareness.  Pray for a desire to know God.

-University Ministry
     -This generation knows almost nothing of biblical truth.  Pray for openings to minister to university students.


Prayer Illustration

Sweden is known for its heavy machinery industry.  Remember to pray for Sweden when you see heavy machinery.

58: The Book

I recently read 58:  Fast Living, How the Church Will End Extreme Poverty.  For those interested in becoming part of the solution to end extreme poverty, I highly recommend this book.  The book does a great job of showing how the Church, governments, and non-profit organizations can work to see an end to extreme poverty in this generation.

The book has one page that is probably the most powerful page of reading that I have read.  The ironic thing is that it is a totally blank page.  If you read the book you'll know what I'm talking about.

Many times we do nothing because we feel that we cannot help a large number of people on our own.  Through opportunities that I've had to work with Compassion I've learned that we can each make a difference in the life of one child.  By making a difference in the life of one child we will play a part in releasing that child from poverty, and this will give future generations the opportunity to live a life free from poverty. 

To learn more about the 58: book and the Live58 initiative, visit their website at:  http://www.live58.org/


Chris

Thank You for Noticing Me

A fellow advocate in a neighboring town was a guest writer for Compassion's blog.  Here is a link to her article.  Thank You for Noticing Me

Chris

Global Awareness--Haiti

This is a continuing series of posts from recent talks to the student ministry of our church.

The focus last week was on Haiti.

Statistics*

Population:  10 million
Capitol:  Port-au-Prince
Life Expectancy:  61 years
Religions
     -Christian:  95%
     -Ethnoreligionist:  2.8%
     -Non-religious:  1.9%

*Source:  Operation World by Jason Mandryk


Challenges for Prayer:
     -Recovery from 2010 earthquake
     -Strength for the Church
     -Healthy economy 


Prayer Illustration:
Haiti grows and exports mangoes.  I asked the students to remember the Haitian people when they saw or ate a mango over the next few weeks.


Compassion's Ministry in Haiti

Compassion's work in Haiti began in 1968. Currently, more than 66,700 children participate in 240 child development centers. Compassion partners with churches to help them provide Haitian children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be.  To find out more about Compassion's ministry in Haiti, click here.


Chris

Global Awareness

Our youth pastor has asked me to share with the students about countries of the world.  He asked me to talk for about 5 minutes, twice a month.  The goal is to increase their awareness of what life is like for those in developing countries.  Although this is not specific to the ministry of Compassion International, it gives us an opportunity to learn, and pray for, others in the world.  I will use this blog to summarize the talk that I give the students in the youth group.  For each country I try to discuss the following:  statistics about the country, people groups, prayer needs, and an illustration to help us remember to pray for the country.

The focus last week was on Afghanistan.

Statistics*:
 

•Population:  29 million

•Capitol:  Kabul

•Life Expectancy:  44 years

•Religions

–Muslim:  99.85%

–Non-religious:  0.07%

–Christian:  0.05%

*Source:  Operation World by Jason Mandryk

People Groups

Pashtun

Tajik

Hazara

Challenges for Prayer

• Violence
• Women's Rights
• Religious Persecution
• Drugs 

Prayer Illustration

During these cold Wisconsin winter months, I asked the students to remember the people of Afghanistan whenever they used a blanket, quilt, or afghan to keep themselves warm.  

Due to the presence of the United States military in Afghanistan, I also asked that they remember to pray for the protection of our troops as they serve.

Chris

 

Advocate Meeting and Compassion Sunday

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Compassion Advocates gathering and also be part of Compassion Sunday in Baraboo, WI. It was a great to be able to network, pray, and collaborate with other Advocates from around the state.

The weekend started with a viewing of 58: The Film. This is a powerful film that shows the lives of those in extreme poverty, and the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ. The film will be available to the public in October and I highly recommend seeing it if you have a chance.

Saturday morning we were able to see the start of the Ride Against Poverty. This was the second annual R.A.P. ride. There were about 25 bikers that participated in the ride. The course was about 100 miles and they raised $1,100 for Compassion’s AIDS initiative. That same day a group of children raised $480 for Compassion’s malaria prevention program. That was enough to by nets for 48 people! Our afternoon consisted of training, fellowship, and hearing from Owen, a formerly sponsored child who is now working on his master’s degree in accounting. It was amazing to hear from someone that had their life changed forever by the ministry of Compassion.

Sunday morning we worshiped with the congregation at Living Hope Church. Owen spoke to the congregation about his story and we had the opportunity to demonstrate the Water of Life system. After the service the congregation had the opportunity to visit the table with child packets and try water from the Water of Life system. The water was from the Baraboo River, which is not something you would typically want to drink from, but after going through the Water of Life system, the water was safe to drink. We had quite a few people try the water. We also had 17 children sponsored!

I’m so glad I had this opportunity. Now I need to ask God how I can increase my advocacy in my sphere of influence.



Chris

Thailand

Our sponsored child lives in Thailand. Here's a link from Compassion's blog about their work in her country.

http://blog.compassion.com/ministry-highlight-thailand/