Haiti...

Because the work in Haiti is far from over, please consider attending this fundraiser and hear first hand testimony of the living conditions as well as what the next steps will be in the relief effort.

Here is a video of Vaden Earle while in Haiti:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4lDLnkzQyw

9-1-1 4 Haiti
Dinner and Auction
March 8, 2010, 6 PM
Waterfront Centre Hamilton, ON
$35 pp (3 course meal)
$300 for table of 10
Guest Speaker:
Vaden Earle, Absolute Leadership
(Personal Testimony from Haiti 2 days after the earthquake)
Silent & Live Auction
In support of Kids Alive International’s
Relief Efforts in Haiti

http://fixourworld.ning.com/events/911-4-haiti

As We Forgive Film Screening

As We Forgive is a documentary about Rosaria and Chantal—two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide.

Director Laura Waters Hinson and narrator Mia Farrow documented the lives of four neighbors once caught in opposite tides of a genocidal bloodbath, and their extraordinary journey from death to life through forgiveness.

Join us on Tuesday February 2nd, 2010 from 7:00-9:00pm in Hilburt Hall at McMaster's Divinity College

Admission: Free
Coffee and snacks will be served.

http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=269025606624&ref=ts

Watch the trailer here: http://www.asweforgivemovie.com/see/trailer.htm

I stole this timely post from a friend. I thought it was extremely relevent for IJMM followers:

We got a Christmas tree this year. I never thought I'd see the day. After reading an article on the top offenders for child labor and sweatshops I learned that Christmas ornaments from China were on the top of the list. How ironic. We celebrate the birth of Christ, the coming of the good news to "bind up the brokenhearted and set prisoners free", by decorating our homes with the very things that enslave those that Christ came to set free, people all around the globe. I went to five stores to find ornaments that weren't made in China. Out of five major stores with aisles stacked high with ornaments, the only thing I found was a roll of ribbon made in Taiwan. I think I'm going to take some re-used gift wrap from last year and make origami balls out of them and hang them on the tree with paper clips.

This Christmas, I encourage you to be curious. As curious as children are about their gifts, may you be curious about the sourcing of the goods that you buy. Experiment by looking at the label before you purchase. And if you cannot trust the sourcing of that product, think long and hard about other alternatives before buying it. I don't want to preach. This just weighs heavy on me as I watch mall parking lots be filled and shoppers hurry home with their arms full of treasure. Can we think for a moment that maybe the people making things in those factories for us to buy during this season are actual people too, like us, with dreams of weekends off, fair treatment, sanitary working conditions and labour that brings dignity. When I receive a gift this Christmas I hope to be reminded of the one who bought it for me instead of the one enslaved by my consumption. Please look around you and open your eyes wide to the truth.

God bless you this Christmas. May you truly be free.

I biked 75K!

Despite of the gloomy weather, Ride for Refugees was on today. About 250 riders participated in Hamilton and about $40,000 was raised.

Refugees account for the largest category of vulnerable people in the world. As of 2008, UN reported that there are an estimated 68 million displaced people in the world - roughly double the population of Canada.

Ride for Refugees helps make tangible differences in the lives of refugees by raising awareness and funds. The first ride started six year ago with one guy rode in solo. It raised public interest and more and more people wanted to join the cause. This year, 19 cities join the cause - 3 cities in the States, 1 in Australia, and 15 in Canada.

Aside from the event expenses, which is budgeted to be 6-8%, the rest of the money raised are divided into 2 halves, one halve contributes toward local refugees ministry (including Micah House), and the other half to global ministries.

It took me a little over three hours to finish my 75k. Glad that it's a RIDE not a race.

Ride for Refugees 2009

Join IJMM in Ride for Refugees (Hamilton) on October 3!

Why we are riding..

The numbers are staggering – there are 67 million refugees and internally displaced peoples according to a United Nations 2007 report. Over half are women and children, vulnerable and voiceless while they flee war, persecution and tribal violence.

The RIDE is a way that we can personally connect to this crisis, and it's a way for us to make a real difference in a refugee’s life.

Some useful links about the ride:

Rides and Maps: http://www.rideforrefugees.com/home_details.php

Join the team: http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?Lang=en-CA&TSID=248573
From our Team Page, click on the ‘Join My Team’ button.

Trafficking Bill in the House TODAY

A note from France concerning the goings on at home:

Source: http://4mycanada.ca/Emails/20090914.html

MANDATORY MINIMUMS MOVES UP IN THE AGENDA: Joy Smith's human trafficking bill, C-268 which would create mandatory minimum sentences for anyone who trafficks a child in the sex trade, will be going to debate in the House of Commons Tuesday, September 15th @ 5:30pm EST. This bill would create a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for anyone who trafficks a minor, and a minimum sentence of six years for anyone who kidnaps and trafficks a minor. Currently, convicted traffickers in Canada are getting sentences of less than two years.
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Following this hour of debate, Bill C-268 will only need one more hour of debate before a final vote. After a final vote in the House of Commons, Bill C-268 will move to the Senate. HOWEVER, there is a non-confidence vote this Friday in the House of Commons that could send Canada into an election. If Canada does go into an election, this bill will "die" on the floor with all of the other bills that have not passed yet.
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BE A VOICE: Contact your Member of Parliament and ask them to support C-268 at third vote, and to make this issue a priority if we go into an election. In the past, well-supported Private Members Bills that have not made it through Parliament before an election have become part of the Party's platform and have re-surfaced as Government Bills in the following Parliament. Since this Bill has been widely supported by many MPs, regardless of their political party, if we go into an election this is an issue that every Member of Parliament can (and should) make part of their platform.

"Faces of Micah House" Banquet

Micah House is having a fundraising event on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

This house for refugees have done wonderful work in the lives of of its guest. During the event, you'd hear about how God is using this ministry to transform lives and hearts of people throughout the city.

Attendance is free, but a free will offering will be taken.

The Banquet is being held at Michelangelo's Event Venue & Conference Centre, 1555 Upper Ottawa Street. Doors open at 6:30, with dinner served at 7:00.
Registration deadline: Thursday, September 24.

For more information about Micah House, visit: http://www.micahhouse.ca/

To register for the banquet, visit: http://www.micahhouse.ca/component/content/article/1-latest/64-qfaces-of-micah-houseq-2009-banquet