Charities say holiday giving has been happy
By last week many charities had already raised more compared with 2010, and some are even expecting a windfall, a new Chronicle of Philanthropy poll finds. Fifty-four percent told The Chronicle that they raised more money in November and the first part of December than they had at this point last year. One out of five of the 152 organizations in the survey said contributions are outpacing last year’s donations by 20 percent or more. That is one reason many groups expect 2011 to end well. Six out of 10 charities predicted they would close out the year with an overall gain in donations. ‘Things are looking very strong,’ says Traci Coker, director of the World Vision Gift Catalogue. ‘We’re slightly ahead of last year right now.’ Some social-service charities that have worked to do a better job telling their stories are also seeing success.
Praise: God for the generosity of spirit demonstrated across the world at this time. (Ps.150:6)
Charities say holiday giving has been happy
By last week many charities had already raised more compared with 2010, and some are even expecting a windfall, a new Chronicle of Philanthropy poll finds. Fifty-four percent told The Chronicle that they raised more money in November and the first part of December than they had at this point last year. One out of five of the 152 organizations in the survey said contributions are outpacing last year’s donations by 20 percent or more. That is one reason many groups expect 2011 to end well. Six out of 10 charities predicted they would close out the year with an overall gain in donations. ‘Things are looking very strong,’ says Traci Coker, director of the World Vision Gift Catalogue. ‘We’re slightly ahead of last year right now.’ Some social-service charities that have worked to do a better job telling their stories are also seeing success.
Praise: God for the generosity of spirit demonstrated across the world at this time. (Ps.150:6)
Philippines: Flash floods death toll nears 1000
Flooding in the southern Philippines last Friday was caused by tropical storm Washi which dropped a month's worth of rain in 24 hours. Since then aid agencies have delivered body bags, food, water and medicine to over-crowded evacuation centres as officials dig temporary mass graves for bodies that are already in advanced decomposition. The country is in a state of national calamity. Most of the damage was in the southern port cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. Officials report a shortage of water and food for almost 50,000 homeless people. About 143,000 people were affected in 13 southern and central provinces.
Pray: for God to work through Aid agencies, for Christians to know God's peace and to demonstrate Christ’s love to suffering neighbours.
Iran: Christians fear attack at Christmas
‘Evangelical Christians in Iran fear a massive crackdown by security forces around Christmas and Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may be executed earlier than authorities suggest’, said Firouz Khandjani a council member of the pastor's Iranian Church. Iran's judiciary uses the Christmas time to detain and harass Christians thinking the world may forget the believers as everyone is busy with Christmas shopping. He warned that official suggestions that Pastor Nadarkhani's execution for abandoning Islam would be postponed may be a trap to confuse the international community. Last week observers close to the case said judges were ordered to ‘do nothing’ for one year - however Firouz Khandjani stressed ‘It has become clear that Iran's government may want to execute him earlier and saying he will be held one year more does not necessarily mean an earlier execution isn't possible.’
Pray: for Pastor Youcef to be continually aware of God's presence and protection and for Iranian Christians to know the fullness of Christ’s peace and joy at this time. (Ps.146:7-9)
