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I recently received an email from a friend, whom I am sure will not mind me sharing part of it with you. He stated,
 “ I am pretty sure everyone will have difficulties to understand and identify with what is going on in Guatemala, actually, everywhere where the power of natural forces brings destruction, pain and suffering. It simply is impossible to identify, especially from a distance. As the one involved or witnessing it directly you think the world stands still and all the busyness elsewhere is so irrelevant and unimportant. But to those who are far away, the world moves on. I don't know why it is so, but I have seen it time and again. Is it lack of compassion? Or is it a 'protection function' because otherwise we would torture ourselves with all suffering going on in the world? I don't know”
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Relief transport for earthquake victims |
.jpg) Report about relief transport for earthquake victims from ORA International and Partner Aid International (PAI) to Qalandarabad and Garhi Habibullah from Mr W. H., PAI Pakistan
Because of the terrible earthquake from Saturday 8th, 2005 in Musaffarabad, North Pakistan, the two above mentioned organizations decided to help the victims.
After talking with the leader of the Mission Hospital Bach in Qalandarabad we got the information that there is a big need for relief items in Garhi Habibullah and nearby villages. Most needed items are tents, blankets, foodstuff and medicine.
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October 2005 - Ekballo - The World is Waiting! |
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"Come out!" Jesus demanded, and when the possessed man was delivered, all the people marveled. Jesus cast out the dumb spirit that plagued the man with astonishing results for all to see. The Greek word for: "To cast out!" is ekballo. It is a forceful term, a powerful term, a demanding term that is most often used in the context of casting out demons: removing evil, darkness and fear. It is a marvelous term that brings hope of the bright, peaceful and good presence of God in a world desperately void of such encouragement.
So that is why I am astonished to find Jesus using this word in an entirely different context in Matthew 9.38: "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out (ekballo!) laborers into His harvest." I can understand why a translator would not want to use the term "cast out" in this context, but it does beg the question, why did Jesus use this word? [1] It sounds much too forceful! And we are instructed to be a part of the action in praying for this "casting out" to take place!
Why do we need to pray for God to take such drastic action within his church
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