The Weekly Message May 12, 2014

From the Director

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Values -Equality

Equality is one of the five core values in IAS. The statement says:
We believe in treating all people as we would like to be treated. We believe that
people will feel valued and appreciated when we regard them with dignity and
respect.

Here are some interesting quotes from some famous people about Equality:



Before God we are all equally wise and equally foolish,
-Albert Einstein

All this talk about equality. The only thing people have in common is that they are all going to die.
-Bob Dylan

All men are created equal; it is only men themselves who place themselves above equality
-David Allan Coe

More countries have understood that womens equality is a prerequisite for development.
-Kofi Annan

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged
by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
-Martin Luther King Jr.


What is equality? It is a quality of being essentially the same in value or status among all people. In
order to achieve equality, people must be fair and respect differences in their values and status;
especially people from weaker or smaller groups must be protected.

Equality and diversity are linked together. We are created differently and can do nothing about this.
We come from different backgrounds, have got different talents and have been raised differently.
There is beauty in diversity and the diversity makes the creation complete.

But when it comes to dignity and respect for each other, we are equal. There is no reason
whatsoever that a persons background should determine the way he should be treated.

We want to make a difference in this world by listening to the voiceless, including the poor and
encourage them to be change agents and give every person an opportunity to be respected.



To be continued.



Have a good week.
Leif


Travel schedule: (subject to changes)
May 14-22 Chad
May 23-25 Sweden. (IAS Annual Meeting)
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Prayer requests:

Yesterday, it was 22 months since the day when our staff was
taken hostage in Somalia. We continue praying for their release.



IAS Up-date

Djibouti

In a world full of problems and challenges, we have received a good report from David Yunuba in Djibouti.
Please read this and be blessed.

In February, David, Dorothy and our teammate Rosario sailed to a nearby island with a group from the French
Protestant Church to witness a baptism, take communion and swim and picnic together for the day. There were 100 of
us all together and as we disembarked onto the beach, with all the various kinds of baggage we had brought for the days
activities, confusion reigned as to how to get organized. Isaak, a four-year-old boy from our church group, slipped into
the water and joined other kids who were wading and playing in the gentle surf.
A short time later, a French soldier who was also relaxing at the beach with his family, found Isaak floating in the
water, drowned. He pulled the boy out and started trying to revive him. As the tragedy became known, the boys
parents, two doctors and many others from our church group gathered around the dead child. Those filled with the Holy
Spirit immediately began praying in tongues, others prayed with understanding. The childs eyes were open but looked
like the eyes of the dead fish at the local fish market. A pediatrician later confirmed to us the child was dead when he
arrived at the scene.
The doctors began to work and the pray-ers continued to pray. Finally the boys breath and heartbeat returned,
but he remained unconscious. He was moved to a shelter. The French soldiers called for a helicopter/ambulance to
transport him from the island to the military hospital. The church continued to pray. The child began to moan and gurgle
and cough and vomit, expelling sea water from his lungs and stomach. Each time the group responded with Hallelujah
and Praise the Lord. It took a long time for the helicopter to come. We continued to watch and pray. Sometimes we
sang softly. Finally the helicopter and four medics arrived with emergency equipment and treatment. They flew the boy
and his parents to the military hospital in the city. The rest of the group stayed at the beach for the baptism, communion
and fun day.
When we had finished celebrating communion, word came from the hospital that the boy had regained
consciousness and had asked his Mother if he could go pee-pee. The doctors did not think he required intensive care
but kept him in the hospital overnight for observation.
That evening we returned home, completely exhausted, but changed forever. Praise God for his Resurrection
power! Two days later his mother and father brought Isaak to church. He was running around as bright and mischievous
as ever. His mother sang and danced and testified of Gods goodness. The whole church erupted into celebration. After
two months Isaak is still bouncing around the church as happy and normal as any four-year-old.
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.