Beloved, the 2004 year ended with disaster for many of God's children who live in Sri Lanka. Please read the article sent to me below, and please pray and help financially - for such a time as this.

As we enter this first day of 2005, may I present something for you to ponder as a "heads up" for 2005.

*Give, and then give again - what you sow you will reap - store up for the hard times by your love of being a "giver" in many areas...just because you "love to give" - while not looking to give to receive later.

*Guard your heart minute by minute!

*Let the rest and peace of Jesus rule you!

*Cast ALL your cares upon Jesus and do 2 Cor. 10:3-5 with thoughts that do not line up with the obedience to God!

*Pray and worship the Lord always!

*Take communion daily!

*Do not let anything or anyone steal your faith from you - stand strong!

*Live in the fast lane of "a fasted life style"!

*Hold loosely onto anything you have and be ready to let it go when God says to do so!

*Read three chapters of God's Word daily!

*Pray in the Spirit all day and all night like your life depended on it - while keeping in the peace of Jesus!

*Never forget for one second that "The JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH" - so laugh a lot - "Ha-ha, Ho-ho, He-he - Joy! Joy! Joy!" and enjoy life in the midst of disaster!

*Receive the overflow in 2005! God loves you and has a lot to give you - For Such A Time As This!

Love & Blessings,

Joan Ann
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December 30, 2004

Dear Praying Friends:

The eyes and heart of the world have been drawn to Asia at this time with the tragic tsunami that has now claimed tens of thousands of lives. Several nations have experienced incredible loss, and we wanted to share several ways that we can serve those most hit. Of course, I want to encourage you to pray. I am forwarding several sets of prayer points – the first from John Robb at World Vision, followed by another set of prayer points from Pastor Woodie and Melanie Blok, leaders in Sri Lanka. We already have a team from Glory of Zion scheduled to go to the nations of Sri Lanka and Thailand next year, as Pastor Robert and Linda Heidler will be traveling there.

Below the prayer points is a way for you to give financially to those in need. The Nourish the Children program is an effective way to see food aid sent to those in Sri Lanka and then other nations. All of your donation will go directly to food supplies. Don and Anita Anderson, elders at our church, share on this amazing opportunity.

Blessings,

Chuck D. Pierce

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Dear Friends,

Undoubtedly you have now heard about the massive disaster caused to nine countries of Asia and to Somalia in Africa by a powerful tsunami triggered by the strongest earthquake in four decades. As of this writing, over 23,000 were reported dead with millions made homeless. (This figure is now well over 100,000.) Please pray for the following: 1. For effective and well coordinated relief efforts by governments and international relief agencies. 2. That diseases such as cholera, malaria and diarrhea will be brought under control so that many more who could be harmed will be protected from illness and death. 3. For food, drinking water and sanitation to be provided quickly to help those affected even in remote areas. 4. For comfort for the many who are in shock and mourning at losing their relatives and friends.

The island of Sri Lanka seems to have been the worst hit with up to 12000 (a figure now several days old) being reported as possibly dead. My IPC colleague and friend, Pastor Leslie Keegel, who heads the Foursquare Church movement in Sri Lanka writes about the tragic loss of life among his people: "12 families of our Batticaloa city Church were washed into the sea. The pastor's wife and his two children are lost. George's mom, his sister and niece were also attending the worship service when disaster struck. George' mom and sister escaped but his 13 year old niece was carried away. Just an hour ago her body was recovered. In two other villages two pastors lost their spouses and children. According to unconfirmed reports I have, over 100 of our people are feared dead or missing. In the southern province we have no news of three pastors and their families. The areas where they are living are also disaster struck. The damage to human life is colossal, leaving alone the loss of property and devastation to infrastructure. I am sitting in my home praying, answering calls and coordinating relief efforts. The situation is absolutely overwhelming, will have to conduct many funerals and help people in refugee camps with food, clothing and water."

Please pray for Leslie and his churches and for all those affected in his country.

Thanks for your prayers and any financial assistance you can provide, John Robb

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Prayer Points for Sri Lanka
26/12/04 - Tidal wave Assault, Sri Lanka Tragedy

1. For Sri Lanka to realize the dealings of God and repent. 2. For the fear of God to fall upon the nation. 3. For the Church of Sri Lanka to go into high gear prayer and intercession for the nation so the aftershocks of the earthquake will be averted. 4. For the Church of Sri Lanka to be wise and careful, to not do anything to provoke the nation at this time. 5. For the Church of Sri Lanka to help the affected and to minister to them with wisdom and humility. 6. For the Christians to witness wisely to the unbelieving friends and neighbors. 7. For the President, Prime Minister, government and all agencies and individuals assisting with the relief work. 8. For all those missing to be found. 9. For medical doctors, staff and medical supplies to be speedily made available to treat the wounded and dying. 10. For the military and police who are assisting the displaced and are maintaining law and order. 11. For all the nations who are giving assistance to Sri Lanka. 12. For the safety and protection of all the people, especially the Christians. 13. Wisdom for us personally to know exactly what to do. We want to think with God's strategy and heartbeat. We feel like God is wanting us to store up like Joseph and be ready for long term, not just the immediate need.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. Blessings,

Pastor Woody and Melanie Blok

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When you have a passion for helping the needy as we do, opportunities present themselves and we must be obedient to respond. We have participated in delivering food this past year to a Children's Home in Sri Lanka. Now, there is a greater need than ever. Will you review the following and help us assist in this relief?

You are probably aware of the death and destruction created by the tsunami as it hit the shorelines of several countries last week. Tens of thousands are dead and millions are displaced from their homes. The island of Sri Lanka was the hardest hit. Homeless and hungry people are the result. The need is not quantified at this time and help is on the way from all over the world. There is an immediate and urgent need now and that is what we are addressing.

But God provides! Nourish the Children, nourishthechildren.com, is providing Vitameals, danderson11.myntcusa.com, through Feed the Children. We have seven 747's ready to load. First deliveries will be made in Sri Lanka and then on to the other countries.

A bag only costs $30. In addition, Nourish the Children is offering another bag of food supply for only $10 extra. One bag of food will feed 30 children or 15 adults healthy, nutritious meals. All contributions go directly for the food supplies. The company will pay shipping and handling expenses.

Donations increments of: $40 feeds 60 children and 30 adults.
$120 feeds 180 children and 90 adults.
$400 feeds 600 children and 300 adults.
$4,000 feeds 6,000 children and 3,000 adults.

To participate:

By check: Payable to Nourish the Children/Don Anderson
and mailed to: Don Anderson
2517 Ft. Worth Dr.
Denton, TX 76205

OR

By credit card: Contact us by phone: 940-383-0280
by fax: 940-484-0002
by email: anderson18@charter.net

We must act quickly as there are hungry, hurting people waiting right now. Please contact us with your desire to help.

Please feel free to forward this to your contact lists.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others, Don and Anita Anderson
940-383-0280
anderson18@charter.net

PS: We also have contacts who are currently working in Sri Lanka to provide for the needs of the smallest victims of this tragedy. Shepherd's Heart Children's Home, run by Woody and Melanie Blok, in Colombo, Sri Lanka are looking to immediately expand their children's home to accommodate up to 40 children whose parents have been lost or whose families need short term care while they work to rebuild their lives. The budget for this expansion is $5,000.

Checks may be made out to:
Oasis Communities International P.O. Box 794843 Dallas, TX 75379