I fixed a typo in my blog post…the Burma Benefit dinner is Sept. 10th Not the 12th…Thanks Rachel for the heads-up!!!

MC

 

Many of you know of the Planet Project in Burma/Thailand. We are working to build a larger hostel for children who have been displaced by the atrocities committed against them by the Burma Army/Government. We have 50 children that you can sponsor to ensure they get food, clothing, shelter and education. Go to http://planetchanger.com for more information.

One Non profit that we are teamed up with in Thailand and Burma is the Jericho Alliance, lead by George and Cindy Tronsrue. Right now they are working on building a medical clinic and have some incredible goals of impacting and aiding the oppressed people of Burma, and I am proud to be associated with them.

One way that you can help is coming up on September 10th is by attending a "pre-opening" for a new restaurant in Bellevue, WA. called "John Howie Steak. John Howie has agreed to give 100% of the money from this evenings dinner and event to help to make an impact in Burma through The Jericho Alliance Foundation!

You will enjoy a range of signature dishes by the talented Chef John Howie in this uniquely premiere
steak house, where USDA prime beef will be grilled over mesquite coals. Other incredible dinner
options will also be available. Venue, located in the chic Bravern Building, features two private
dining rooms, a piano lounge, the Northwest’s best selection of single malt scotches and cognacs
and a grand selection of wines from the Northwest and around the world.

This is a insider opportunity to attend a mock service, where you will see firsthand how a restaurant
prepares to open. In order for the staff to have a complete “dress rehearsal” we will reserve tables
of 2 and 4, at specific times. Guests will be ordering from menu cards of select items from the
regular menu, specially prepared for each table. Each diner at the table will experience something
different and we encourage you to sample your tablemate’s meal too! See below for more details.

I hope you can make it, below is a PDF file with the invitation and reservation information, as well as a PDF with information about the atrocities happening in Burma right now!

invitation/reservationf

Burma-5Alive

Monty

With the atrocities that continue inside the borders of Burma (Myanmar), more and more people are fleeing the country, but since most live an agrarian life, have no skills to offer other countries. The result is a mass exodus of people, and the surrounding countries unable to absorb the influx of wounded, hurt, and terrorized peoples of Burma. Watch the following clip:

Embedded video from CNN Video

Refugees are never an easy issue for any country, and really, it is not the inbound countries issue, however, the greater question is “Where is the world voice on this issue on behalf of the people who don’t have a voice and are being forced out of their villages by a genocidal regime?”

I have the strange feeling that if Myanmar had more to offer the world like oil reserves or some other huge consumeristic need, the global voice would be dealing with the atrocities in an instant. As it is, no one seems to care about scores of villagers who don’t seem to have much to offer, being brutalized, murdered, and enslaved.

The Planet Project seeks to try to make a difference for some of the orphans and refugees that have been displaced by the Burma Army…check it out Planet Project Portal

Pray the people of Burma, and pray that the world will intervene finally for those who can’t help themselves under a corrupt government.

Also, if you can, give to support the Planet Project and give some orphans a chance!!

Dei Gratia,

Monty

On my two trips into Uganda I had the honor to meet and spend some time with families and individuals who have been affected by HIV AIDS. It not only affects those who have it, but scores of children who are left parent-less as the pandemic spreads due to a lack of sanitation, cultural beliefs, stigmatism against those with HIV/AIDS resulting in not getting help out of fear of reprisal or shunning, Governmental denial, and brutality towards women.

I remember sitting in a training session in Kenya under some of World Vision's top leaders in the field, as well as others working closely with those infected and affected by the disease. Listening to story after story of pain and tragedy was hard, numbing at times. I vividly remember one stat given in the training. Each day, the number of people dying from HIV/AIDS was equivalent to experiencing the death toll of about two-and-a-half 9/11 tragedies each and every day…day after day after day. The numbers for the region have changed, but still can you imagine how much more fervently we in the US would be addressing this issue if upwards of 7000+ people were dieing each day here in the States? I think there would be such an outcry to our government like we have never seen.

In Uganda, the numbers were getting better as the government, churches and the people were all making an effort to work together to educate the people about safer sex practices through the ABC's:

A: Abstinence
B: Be Faithful
C: Condom Use

This brought Uganda's HIV/AIDS percentages down from the 30 percentile range in some areas, with an average of about 17% nationwide to around 5 % today by most resources I have found.

The church has played a huge role in Uganda. The pulpit has sway to remove the stigmatism, speak truth with grace, and love those who have been hit both as victim and perpetrator.

The women in these countries need our prayers and support. Very often, they have no choice, and infection comes not because of promiscuity, but due to rape, and forced sex. In some of the groups I had an opportunity to talk with, there was a practice of female genitalia mutilation, which was a cause not only of infection, but very often death. And the next generation will be paying for the results of the current pandemic if that generation even lives to experience the consequences.

So, would you join me in praying on Monday December 1st? Would you consider doing something to help not only globally, but locally? Here are some links to get more information on how you can pray and help!

Here is the U.N 2008 report on HIV/AIDS

Download 20081128_aids_outlook09_en

And a couple Web links for more info:

http://www.worldaidscampaign.org

www.worldvision.org

Dei Gratia
Monty