Saturday, November 26, 2005

Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?

I thought I would include the letter I sent to everyone on our email list. While I know many people who read this aren't Americans and don't celebrate our American holiday, I'd like you to tell us what you're Thankful for. Here's the letter and then chime in.
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Dear Friends:

Greetings from Mission Network News. I'm sitting at home trying to put some thoughts in an email. The topic is "Thanksgiving." My friends in the United States understand why I'm doing this. Thursday, November 24 is the Thanksgiving Holiday in the U-S. It's a day set aside to thank God for all the many blessing He's given us.

I've been reflecting on that the last couple of weeks and it's hard to believe all the wonderful things God has done for us. First, He has allowed you to be a part of this internet and radio ministry. In the last month we've added more than 1,000 new friends to our email updates. That means we have about 8,500 people receiving this email. That's pretty incredible. Why am I thankful for that? Because this tells me there are hundreds of people around the world who are as interested in missions as I am. It also tells me more and more people want to be involved in some way. That's exactly what's happening. Here are just a few comments.

"It is really heart rending sometimes when I read the reports in your email news...when I think of the liberties we experience here in the US, I realize that unless we partner in prayer with our brothers and sisters experiencing these struggles then we are not really free. May the Lord help us to do our part on this side of the Kingdom."
~ Missouri Listener

"We have three people who are going to Burkina Faso in February because of a report on MNN. I am also meeting this week with the missions director at a church because of a report on MNN."
Christian World Outreach

That's what MNN is all about…encouraging believers to be James 1 Christians, "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." That's so important. There are some many people who hear what's happening in the world and understand the needs, many others talk about it. But, few do anything about it.

This Thanksgiving I'd like you to reflect on that. I'm sure many of you are doing something about the Great Commission call. But, there are many others who aren't doing anything. If you'd like MNN to continue doing what we're doing, go to http://www.MNNonline.org/support to help us.

In the meantime, THANK YOU for the part you're playing in pointing people to Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Greg Yoder, Anchor/Executive Director

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Winter

Well, winter has begun. It's cold and snowy today here at the MNN office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As I was bitterly griping at the bitter wind whipping at my face while walking to my car, I was struck with a very humbling thought that provided a reality check for my complaint...

The devastating earthquake in Pakistan/India in October has left millions without homes. Usually we think of that region of the world as very hot, but the Kashmir region sits along the Himalayan Mountains, and these millions of people are left, even after a month since the earthquake, with nothing to shelter them from the bitter mountainous wind, rain, snow and cold, and not much hope for relief and shelter. This tragedy is nearly forgotten in the wider world, and yet so many people have been impacted by it. Why is that?

I had better think twice before I complain of my cold hands and the snow that beats mercilessly on me for a whole 30 seconds between my office and my car. It puts winter in a different perspective for me.

"God, make us more sensitive to the sufferings of others, and not just that, but call us to action on their behalf."

~ Faith, Executive Assistant

Friday, November 11, 2005

What an honor/IDOP is Sunday

I received a fax today that shocked me. I was totally caught off gaurd. It was from the National Religious Broadcasters. It said, "Congratulationson being nominated to take part in the 2005 NRB Annual Media Awards selection process for "Best Radio News Format!"

Mission Network News has never been nominated from something like this. Even if we don't win, it's an honor. We'll find out if we win in February. We'll see. I'm just praising God for watching over us and pray that we can continue encouraging Christians to get off their seats and involved in Great Commission outreach.

The MNN IDOP Radio Broadcast is done and it's exciting to see the number of radio stations that plan to air the broadcast. Last count we had 353 radio stations in four countries will be airing the broadcast. That's about 300 stations more than last year. It's pretty exciting.

If you'd like to listen to the broadcast, go to http://www.MNNonline.org and follow the link.

Greg Yoder, Anchor & Executive Director
Mission Network News