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200810_voices
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200810_Bible_Study
The Royal Anti-Greed Campaign
For 10 years, the King of Thailand has promoted a philosophical model throughout the country called the “Sufficiency Economy”. The campaign has been promoted in all sectors of society, on personal, community and national levels, and has received mixed reviews from foreign economists.
This philosophy essentially endorses wise management of resources. Balance and moderation in economic development should temper the rapid physical, environmental and cultural changes taking place in the world. Production should meet equitable consumption needs, and any excess should be sold. Business owners should conduct business fairly, and not take advantage of others to get ahead. The country’s natural resources should be used efficiently, to promote sustainability. Technology should be used appropriately, and utilize the wisdom of local villagers to respond to genuine needs.
Citizens should be strong, self-reliant, compassionate and flexible. Citizens are urged to use money frugally, to support the local economy, to avoid extravagant spending, and to avoid incurring excess debt. People are encouraged to promote public interests over personal interests, cooperate and help one another, and strengthen the whole community.
As the King has stated, “If we can contain our wants, with less greed, we will be less belligerent towards others. If all countries entertain this…the idea that we all should be self-sufficient, which implies being satisfied with moderation, being honest, and not being greedy, we can all live happily.”
The King’s words are challenging to my confessed capitalist-worshipping American sensibilities. What? Encourage citizens to curb spending and be satisfied with moderation?! Less aggressive economic development?! But that’s…well it’s…it’s just plain un-American!...it’s anti-Christmas-spirit!...it’s…
...it’s Biblical!
(See Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Lev 19:9-10)
"Listen ! They're Voices are Strong!"
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOPE
In other news, I have an opportunity to take a trip to Kenya in November with a team from Build-a-Bridge, International. I will be going with a group of 10 American artists. We will meet up with a group of 10 Kenyan artists to lead an arts camp for 100 kids who live in a slum in Nairobi. The kids are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder because of the violence and rioting they have witnessed there. The theme of the camp will be “Hope: Envisioning Your Future”. I am looking forward to taking some ideas about the therapeutic arts that I have developed through working at the New Life Center and testing them out in a new cultural context. And I am very excited about the opportunity to interact with and learn from the kids and from our international artists team. I would invite your prayers for the team Nov. 21-30.
"Listen ! They're Voices are Strong!"
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOPE
In other news, I have an opportunity to take a trip to Kenya in November with a team from Build-a-Bridge, International. I will be going with a group of 10 American artists. We will meet up with a group of 10 Kenyan artists to lead an arts camp for 100 kids who live in a slum in Nairobi. The kids are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder because of the violence and rioting they have witnessed there. The theme of the camp will be “Hope: Envisioning Your Future”. I am looking forward to taking some ideas about the therapeutic arts that I have developed through working at the New Life Center and testing them out in a new cultural context. And I am very excited about the opportunity to interact with and learn from the kids and from our international artists team. I would invite your prayers for the team Nov. 21-30.
----FROM THE FRESH START TEAM:---
Although Kit is in Thailand, the Fresh Start Team is a group of people stateside who want to keep Kit's friends and supporters up to date on the way God is using Kit to give a "Fresh Start" to so many fragile lives with Christ's love. While we help publish this newsletter for her, we don't want to stop there! Your congregation or group can still receive a personal presentation of Kit's work from one of the Fresh Start Team here in the US. Contact Susan Rice at sjrdfr@yahoo.com. We would love to talk with you about the heart for Kit's mission that we share with you and to keep her financial and prayer support strong even in these tough times!
Although Kit is in Thailand, the Fresh Start Team is a group of people stateside who want to keep Kit's friends and supporters up to date on the way God is using Kit to give a "Fresh Start" to so many fragile lives with Christ's love. While we help publish this newsletter for her, we don't want to stop there! Your congregation or group can still receive a personal presentation of Kit's work from one of the Fresh Start Team here in the US. Contact Susan Rice at sjrdfr@yahoo.com. We would love to talk with you about the heart for Kit's mission that we share with you and to keep her financial and prayer support strong even in these tough times!
World Mission Offering
Thank you so much for your friendship, prayers and financial support. Your faithfulness encourages me to continue serving God in unique and exciting ways. Please note that many of our American Baptist Churches are collecting World Mission Offering this fall.
Your tax deductable gift to this offering enables me and your “other favorite” missionaries to continue the work we do around the world.
Thanks in advance for your participation.
-Love, Kit
Kit Ripley, American Baptist International Ministries
New Life Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand
E-mail: kitripley@pobox.com
Web: http://www.newlifecenterfoundation.org