The track list

1 When Did This Storm Begin
2 Money For That
3 I Owe You A Love Song
4 Ghost Town
5 It Became A Lie On You
6 Ricochet!
7 Season Of Love
8 Poison
9 Blown Away
10 Turned To Real Life
11 Frozen Oceans

The Updates:

its evening in san diego. again tonight is sold out.

http://tour.shinytoyguns.com is where you must go in order to not miss out ...

Look inside our new record just for a few seconds ...

http://vimeo.com/1876926

season of poison won't be available until 11:04:08.

tomorrow is one month away .... and very soon we will have the ability to
offer
pre-orders.

LOS ANGELES IS FOR LOVERS.

and detour festival is NOW.

get your tickets here : :

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/090040f5e6a1735b

_ ____

ricochet!.

and you will notice. in a few days .

our latest music video is complete:)

its ace.

more soon ... tomorrow is one month away from injection.

soon.. the season of poison.

november 4th 2008.

love

shinys

The other update:

SEASON OF POISON

Release Date: 11:04:08 - November 04, 2008
Label:UNIVERSAL MOTOWN

Synopsis
"Season of Poison" is the highly anticipated sophomore album from Shiny Toy Guns. The album is the follow up to their critically acclaimed Grammy nominated debut record We Are Pilots which was released in 2006. The band spent the better half of 2 years on and off the road progressing their dance/rock and electronic roots. Once again producing the album by themselves, founding members Chad Petree (vocals, guitar) and Jeremy Dawson (synthesizer, bass) used 2008 technology to marry dynamic late-70's style synthesizer programming with face-erasing stoner rock; gently spreading this over layer upon layer of ethnic and tribal rhythms. Not to mention their keen pop sense in lyrics and arrangement have collided with the legendary mixing abilities of super-engineer Andy Wallace to create a completely new color in the future-forward musical spectrum. The first single off of Season Of Poison is "Ricochet", a heavy rhythmic guitar laden song already being heard on radio stations across the nation.

Season of Poison marks an evolution for the band not only sonically but in the band dynamics as well. Sisely Treasure from the band Cooler Kids replaced departed vocalist Carah Faye Charnow who left the group this past summer to pursue other interests. Dawson explains, "We moved forward with our initial choice for co-lead singer of the band in 2002, longtime friend Sisely Treasure. At that time she was still locked into her Dreamworks Records deal with her former project Cooler Kids and we were not able to professionally move forward with her. So we have returned to the exact original idea and lineup that Shiny Toy Guns was meant to be." With a new singer who is also now a writing partner to Petree and Dawson, Treasure brings in whole new complimentary perspective to the band. The result is a hard rocking, groove shaking album that will appeal to die hard Shiny Toy Guns fans and new ones alike.

The mercurial foursome (which also includes Mikey Martin on drums), has been described as everything from 'glam-goth-new wave-chic' to 'electronic mash-up with a dance floor destroyer,' thanks to their riveting breakthrough single "Le Disko" which topped the charts in 2006. The playful dance-anthem permeated radio and clubs, was featured in advertisements for Motorola and Apple and was a single of the week on iTunes' playlist. The band also was a "MTVU Freshman Five Artists for Fall 2006" as well as a MTV and MTV2 Discover and Download artist. They appeared on several television shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The positive attention and legendary live shows led to an incredible accolade for the band, a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Album this past year.

Finally, remember track number 2?

Want to hear it?

Well hear is a very, very early version dug up from the grave curtesy of the band's fan forum.

Money For That

Other early songs by Chad Petree (guitar + vocals) :

Emily

and

If Love is Blind

(from 37 Records)

UPDATE:

Thanks for commenting guys, you're right Jared I did forget something.

Looks like a storm cloud and two angels? Not as jaw-dropping as we are pilots... personally I think they should've used this instead:

But I guess it's not official until it's on the shelves.

I checked out the links provided from Zelda, they're legit you just need to sign up.

Here's the full version of Money For That

The Turn to Real Life given is really old (still has Ursula Vari) there is also a Carah Faye version.

Mark Brecke is an independent filmmaker and documentary photographer.

Covering ten years and three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe), his work documents the stories of people victimized by war, ethnic conflict, and genocide.

The focus of Mark’s recent work is on the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan. From October to late

December of last year (2004), he visited the and traveled for five weeks in Darfur with the SLA (Sudanese Liberation Army).

In this "Google Tech Talk" presents his photos, shares his remarkable stories, and gives us some insight into the complex situation of the Darfur crisis (shocking Images!).

Links:

• Mark Brecke's Website (War Photography and Weddings)
• CNN - Images from Darfur (Youtube)
• Mark Brecke: War And Weddings - PingMag
• Darfur: Life/War (Amazon)

• related Posts

The main thesis of the MSF report, entitled "FULL PRESCRIPTION: BETTER MALARIA TREATMENT FOR MORE PEOPLE, MSF’S EXPERIENCE" is that providing free treatment leads to better uptake of interventions, increased wellness, and reduction in mortality-- especially among children.  This was determined by comparison to data from the normal system of formal treatment centers ("formal structures" or public health units) at which a low flat fee was being charged.  A critical component of project success in all three countries however, was the use of informally trained village workers to deliver malaria interventions in the villages. The report presents, but fails to highlight the contribution of this service distribution strategy.  

The reasons for low use of medical services (even subsidised, low cost) are well known in the W. African context, and the report itself identifies:

Quantities of drugs supplied are often calculated based on the actual use of services rather than on real morbidity figures. But the use of public services is usually extremely low and does not correspond to the real medical needs of the population.


Limited use of health services is a general problem in many poor sub-Saharan communities. The authorities in Sierra Leone found that only 12% of children suspected of having malaria were using health services within the 24 hours of the onset of fever.


In Mali, patients on average visit health services fewer than 0.3 times per year; financial obstacles often prevent them from seeking care. Part of the stocks of ACTs [Artemisin-based Combination Treatment] may not be used before their expiry dates11, not because people are not sick, but because the existing clinics are little used by the population.

The implication is that people are poor and/or have higher priorities for their spending than even low cost malaria treatment for their children.  The idea, heavily emphasised in the report, that just removing financial barriers leads to increased uptake of services is nevertheless misleading.  In a section entitled "No cash, no care"  MSF points out that financial barriers of this kind are a widespread problem in  "resource poor settings"-- even though the success the MSF programs being described was clearly dependent on local human resources!  We can further examine this contradictory theme of resource poverty in the context of the report itself. 

In all three cases described, care was extended to the communities by training local village inhabitants--described as having"no specific health background"  to diagnose cases (using the latest rapid diagnostic technologies); dispense ACT drugs; and refer cases to the central clinics-- three critical functions for the success service delivery that would normally be provided by workers in the formal systems.  For Sierra Leone the report says:

At the end of 2007, in addition to the support provided to the health structures, 107 malaria village workers were selected and trained in villages where people struggled to reach health care centres (further than three kilometres away from the formal structures). The village workers had no specific health background but received training to perform RDTs [Rapid Diagnostic Tests]. They tested children under five with fever and pregnant women, and dispensed free ACTs to patients who needed it and explained how to take the treatment. Patients with negative RDT results and with severe malaria are referred to the health centres.

The low impact of formal health structures is not just a cost issue.  We can understand this if we look at related statistics from another study in the same Sierra Leone context which showed that 70% of births within 3 miles of a free Public Health Unit (clinic) were at-home supervised by a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA; indigenous midwives). It is a common observation that community preferences impact the effectiveness of healthcare services above and beyond ease of access.   

In a recent presentation I made at the OptAIDS/WHAM Workshop I explored the proposition that greater public health impacts could be achieved per unit investment if the existing systems of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) were co-opted. In Sierra Leone, limited data collected during TMP registration by the Sierra Leone Traditional Healers Association (SLENTHA) indicates that there are many more TMPs per capita than allopathic trained health workers, and that they are more widely distributed among rural populations. By giving TMPs access to even rudimentary training, technologies, and processes as described for the MSF projects, significant impact could be achieved at lower cost and in a more sustainable way. The MSF states unequivocally that in Mali:

Community based activities through malaria village workers increased coverage and access to prompt treatment for children affected by malaria. The experience also showed that the use of RDTs by malaria village workers, when trained and supervised, is possible and efficient.

Thus even though it is only tangentially discussed in the report, the importance of the community's perception of health care service providers, living in their midst, is potentially more of a contributing factor than removal of financial barriers. Indeed, little discussion of the relative cost of the compared strategies is presented even though it is clear that even a little bit of empowerment of local agents had a significant and immediate impact:

Many more children and pregnant women can be promptly treated for simple malaria by having the community select the malaria village workers - which gives them legitimacy -  [my emphasis] and by procuring the tools and ensuring appropriate training and supervision.

Results from the projects also show that at the community level, systematic use of rapid diagnostic tests is possible and that the community approach is an effective way to increase the number of patients treated. For instance, in Chad, the malaria village workers could cure one episode of malaria per child per year in 2007.

It is difficult to quantify the contribution of TM to healthcare in African countries because TM data is rarely if ever explicitly incorporated into surveys of public health.  A starting point for better provision of healthcare in Sierra Leone and other African countries would be to simply accept the fact that the national health status of a country is the outcome of both formal allopathic healthcare systems (typically dating back to colonial times, and supplemented by INGOs like MSF), and indigenous Traditional Medicine systems (which typically supply up to 80% of primary care yet receive no inputs).  For the Sierra Leone case, I have previously attempted to quantify relative impacts of national healthcare structures versus indigenous Traditional Medicine with the limited data that is availabe about numbers and distribution of TMPs.  A somewhat outdated 2002 survey estimated that there are 15,290 people per doctor and 7560 per trained nurse working in the country's formal national healthcare system.  Contrast this with data from a recent WHO training course on HIV prevention in which 280 TMPs came forward and registered for training in just two of the country's 143 rural chiefdoms Based on these numbers, one can tentatively estimate that there may be of the order of 20,000 TMPs in Sierra Leone versus about 5000 western trained medical workers!  I am pleased that MSF and other agencies are finally paying attention to this valuable resource, investing in it, and providing it with modern technologies. There is a significant and culturally committed resource to be tapped. 

In Sierra Leone, TMPs are given legitimacy by both cultural preference, and formal licensure by the Paramount Chiefs in each Chiefdom.  Nevertheless, this indigenous resource is usually ignored or even actively put down by the "formal" healthcare system, or NGO agencies.  Up until very recently it received zero investment or support by the national government except (inadvertently) through the preservation of natural forest resources on which it depends.  Sierra Leone recently established a National Policy on Traditional Medicine that at least on paper, creates a Governmental budget line to support Traditional Medicine.  MSF and other agencies could help by advocating for greater formalization of this indigenous resource in concordance with these policy pronouncements and collecting and sharing the kind of data presented in this report.

In conclusion, I highlight this report because it offers important insight and supporting evidence that giving basic training and putting modern technologies in the hands of indigenous healthcare workers, chosen by local communities, can have a significant positive impact on the success of malaria interventions. 

You can read the MSF report here:

FULL PRESCRIPTION: BETTER MALARIA TREATMENT FOR MORE PEOPLE, MSF’S EXPERIENCE

My Powerpoint presentation is accesible here:

Can Investment in African Traditional Medicine Systems Yield Better Public Health Returns Than Allopathic Healthcare Systems?

"1.000.000 Supporters give help to Clear up Landmines."

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Νάρκες κατά προσωπικού

MINE ANTI PERSONNEL

Противопехотная мина

الألغام المضادة للأفراد

Anti-Personen-Minen

נגד אנשי שלי

Противопехотни мини

Mines antipersona

Protupješačkih mina

Personelminer

Minas antipersonal

Jalkaväkimiinat

Протупјешачких мина

Anti-míny

Protipehotnimi minami

Truppminor

SEND YOUR SUPPORTS UNTIL OCTOBER 30 th, 2008 

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When you lose a leg you don't just lose a leg

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Clearance operations make use of three main methods: 

•  Mechanical clearance relies on flails, rollers, vegetation cutters and excavators, often attached to armoured bulldozers, to destroy the mines in the ground. These machines can only be used in certain terrains, and are expensive to operate. In most situations they are also not 100% reliable, and the work needs to be checked by other techniques.
• Advances in technology have been made in recent years, both in mine detection systems and in mechanical means for destroying mines in place. However, in many situations manual clearance remains the preferred method, for reasons both of cost and reliability.
• Manual clearance relies on trained deminers using metal detectors and long thin prodders to locate the mines, which are then destroyed by controlled explosion; 
•  Mine detection dogs, which detect the presence of explosives in the ground by smell. Dogs are used in combination with manual deminers.

The Better World Campaign works to build a stronger relationship between  the United States and the United Nations through outreach, communications, and advocacy. We encourage U.S. leadership to strengthen the UN’s ability to carry out its invaluable operations around the world. And we engage policy makers, the media, and the American public to increase awareness of and support for the United Nations.

VLADIMIR PUTIN REMARKS ON CONFLICT ZONES

RUSSIAN HUMANITARIAN ACTIONS 

 

Russia to clear landmines in Serbia.

Russia is to start mine-clearing operations in Serbia. Work will begin after Russia's Emergency Situations Minister Sergey Shoigu and Serbia's Trade Minister Predrag Bubalo reached a deal in Belgrade.

Russia will pay the full cost of the clean-up, estimated at around $US 35 million.

It is believed that unexploded devices from NATO's bombing of Serbia in 1999 as well as landmines from the many Yugoslav Wars between 1991 and 2001 may still lie buried in Serbian soil.

Some of them may hamper the construction of the Serbian part of South Stream gas pipeline.

Meanwhile, Russia's humanitarian aid programme in Kosovo is about to enter a new phase.

Medical supplies and equipment as well as up to 10,000 tonnes of wheat will be delivered to Serbian enclaves.

SA KOMPASS  Kompass International Neuenschwander SA assigns the W.E.R.I's REPRESENTANTS, FOUNDATION MEMBERS, RELIEF WORKERS to justice 

  ]]> http://ierapostoli.wordpress.com/?p=186 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:06:17 +0000 pilotos91 http://ierapostoli.ca.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/ocmcteam-experince2008/ Reflections on Africa - One Team Members Experience in Cameroon‏

by Kelsey Lourie

As I sit here at a Coffeehouse in Tacoma, WA, and reflect on my recent participation in the October 2007 OCMC Cameroon mission trip, I can't help but acknowledge how wealthy our society is. Even our homeless and destitute have more opportunity for a better life than many in third world countries. During the Mission Team experience and now in the days following my return, I am plagued by wondering why and how our mindsets, attitudes, and perspectives are so different. I could interpret the events and individual actions I saw in Africa in certain, negative ways, but even my interpretation is a reflection of my American upbringing.

Nevertheless, behind all of the "higher" musings there remains a simple fact: humans are human no matter where they grow up. The people our team met in the extreme north of Cameroon and in the southern area bordering Chad were just as excited about Orthodoxy as any new convert or spiritually focused person in America. They enjoyed dancing and singing as much as we do. They love family, friends and good humor, and they cherish it all. The children were innocent, the youth were eager to learn, and the elders were wise. They were entrepreneurial, good at networking, flexible and patient in the face of change. They were hospitable, kind, respectful, giving and friendly.

As we traveled, children would come running from houses or schoolyards, throwing their arms in the air, smiling wide, their brilliant white teeth glowing in stark contrast with their beautiful ebony faces, shouting in glee as we barreled past. We would wave and smile back from the bed of our pickup truck. The children multiplied daily as word of white foreigners that were traveling back and forth down the dirt roads connecting the remote villages spread. We were certain the locals knew more about our schedule than we did...people of all ages came out of the "bush" no matter where we were visiting. It was said that "the grass had eyes."

Every day we went to another parish or mission community, seeing every stage in the growth of a church: communities without a church, newly purchased land, groundbreakings, foundations, construction shells, a consecration, young churches, old churches, a cathedral...in the veritable heart of Africa. It is literally jaw-dropping to be crashing down a pot-holed dirt road or a bare-foot-beaten path, riding tall in the open pickup truck bed, flying around a bush or tree, ducking under the branches, smashing through a millet field and suddenly screech to a halt in front of a massive and beautiful Orthodox church! We were usually met with a portion of the parish singing, dancing, playing the drums and the rattle to the tune of the Praises in the local African dialect of Tipouri, the contingent growing by the minute. Villagers clad in bright fabrics and white tee shirts, joyfully greeted Metropolitan GREGORIOS, the visiting clergy and our team with smiles and ecstatic high-pitched screams. Everyone, from toddlers to elders, warmly shook our hands. Our broken French and Tipouri were hardly a barrier to the non-verbal communication of smiles, clasping hands, clapping and dancing to their music, gazing in awe at their churches, revering their priests as they do ours, crossing ourselves identically, laughing at each others' antics, taking pictures together and showing them the digital print of their existence. I am almost in tears over the remembrance!

In our 19-day stay in Cameroon (and one visit to Chad) we visited over 10 churches, a school, a seminary, a new financial venture (beef farm), new offices for the Metropolitan's headquarters...and we only saw part of 2 of the 6 countries under the Metropolitan! There is so much work currently being done and so much more to do. Fr Michael Miklos, our team leader, kept the call to missions before us and our Cameroonian brothers and sisters at all times. Metropolitan GREGORIOS pointed out to us how even the poorest of the poor give to "the poor" when the collection is taken in church. What a humbling experience!

In spite of our cultural differences, we found the faith of the people who call Africa home incredibly inspiring. In many ways they do not need you...you need them. Be a part of an Orthodox Mission Team. Share in a journey of faith.

(  http://www.ocmc.org/  )

Réflexions sur l'Afrique - les membres de l'équipe une expérience au Cameroun ( Machine translation )

par Kelsey Lourie

Comme je siège ici à la Boîte à Tacoma, WA, et de réfléchir sur ma participation récente dans la Octobre 2007 OCMC Cameroun mission voyage, je ne peux pas m'empêcher de reconnaître comment les riches de notre société. Même nos sans-abri et démunis ont plus de chances pour une vie meilleure que dans de nombreux pays du tiers monde. Au cours de l'équipe de mission d'expérience et maintenant dans les jours qui ont suivi mon retour, je suis en proie à se demander pourquoi et comment nos mentalités, les attitudes et les perspectives sont tellement différentes. Je pouvais interpréter les événements et les actions individuelles, j'ai vu en Afrique, dans certains, les moyens négatif, mais même mon interprétation est le reflet de mon éducation américaine.
Néanmoins, derrière tous les "plus élevé", il reste l'histoire d'un simple fait: les humains sont des êtres humains, peu importe où ils grandissent. Les gens de notre équipe a rencontré dans l'extrême nord du Cameroun et dans la zone à la frontière sud du Tchad étaient tout aussi enthousiastes à l'idée de l'orthodoxie comme toute nouvelle convertir ou spirituellement porté personne en Amérique. Ils ont apprécié la danse et le chant autant que nous. Ils aiment la famille, les amis et la bonne humeur, et qu'ils chérissent tout cela. Les enfants étaient innocents, les jeunes sont avides d'apprendre, et les anciens étaient sages. Ils ont l'esprit d'entreprise, de la bonne à la mise en réseau, souple et patient dans le visage du changement. Ils ont été accueillants, aimables, respectueux, convivial et donnant.

Comme nous nous sommes déplacés, les enfants sont en cours d'exécution dans les maisons ou d'écoles, de tout leur bras en l'air, large sourire, leur éclatante blancheur éclatante des dents en contraste avec leurs beaux visages d'ébène, de joie de crier que nous cylindres passé. Nous vague sourire et du lit de notre camionnette. Les enfants ont multiplié tous les jours comme mot de blanc étrangers qui ont été en voyage de retour et de suite à la saleté des routes reliant les villages reculés se propager. Nous avons été les habitants de certains en savaient plus sur notre calendrier que nous avons fait ... les gens de tous âges sont sortis de la brousse ", peu importe où nous étions en visite. Il a été dit que "l'herbe a des yeux".

Chaque jour nous sommes allés à une autre paroisse ou mission de la communauté, en voyant tous les stades de la croissance d'une église: les collectivités sans une église, nouvellement acheté des terres, groundbreakings, les fondations, la construction de coquillages, une consécration, les jeunes des églises, des vieilles églises, une cathédrale dans ... le véritable cœur de l'Afrique. Il est littéralement tomber la mâchoire-être de s'écraser à un pot-trous route de terre ou d'un nu-pieds de sentiers battus, l'équitation de haut en plein camion lit, battant autour d'un buisson ou un arbre, d'esquive sous les branches, brisant par le biais d'un mil terrain et soudain, Screech à un arrêt en face d'une grande et belle église Οrthodoxe! Nous avons coutume de se réunir avec une partie de la paroisse chanter, danser, jouer de la batterie et le hochet à la hauteur de la Loue dans le dialecte local africain de Tipouri, le contingent de plus en plus à la minute. Les villageois vêtu de couleurs vives et tee-shirts blancs, accueilli avec joie Gregorios métropolitaine, la visite des membres du clergé et de notre équipe et avec des sourires extatiques aigu cris. Tout le monde, de tout-petits aux aînés, a secoué chaleureusement nos mains. Notre brisé Tipouri français et ne sont guère un obstacle à la communication non-verbale de sourires, clasping mains, battements de mains et de la danse à leur musique, regarder à l'émerveillement dans leurs églises, leurs prêtres revering comme ils le font la nôtre, nous l'identique de passage, de rire à chaque autres bouffonneries, prendre des photos ensemble et en leur montrant l'impression numérique de leur existence. Je suis presque en larmes sur le souvenir!

Dans nos 19 jours de séjour au Cameroun (et une visite au Tchad), nous avons visité plus de 10 églises, une école, un séminaire, une nouvelle entreprise financière (viande ferme), de nouveaux bureaux pour le siège métropolitain de l'... et nous avons seulement vu partie de 2 des 6 pays dans le cadre de la Metropolitan! Il ya tellement de travail en cours et bien plus encore à faire. Père Michael Miklos, notre chef d'équipe, conservé à l'appel des missions avant de nous et de nos frères camerounais et soeurs en tout temps. Metropolitan Gregorios fait remarquer à la façon dont nous, même les plus pauvres des pauvres à donner "les pauvres" lorsque la collection est pris à l'église. Quelle expérience d'humilité!

En dépit de nos différences culturelles, nous avons trouvé la foi des personnes qui demandent l'Afrique une source d'inspiration maison incroyable. À bien des égards, ils n'ont pas besoin de vous ... vous en avez besoin. Être une partie de l'équipe de mission Οrthodoxe. Quote-part dans un voyage de la foi.

 Reflexionen über Afrika - ein Team-Mitglieder Erfahrungen in Kamerun ( Machine translation )

von Kelsey LOURIE

Wie ich sitzen hier in einem Kaffeehaus in Tacoma, WA, und darüber nachzudenken, meine letzten Teilnahme an den Oktober 2007 OCMC Kamerun Mission Reise, ich kann nicht umhin anzuerkennen, wie reichen unserer Gesellschaft ist. Sogar unsere Obdachlose und mittellose haben mehr Gelegenheit für ein besseres Leben als viele in Ländern der Dritten Welt. Während der Mission Team Erfahrung und nun auch in den Tagen nach meiner Rückkehr, ich bin geplagt von fragen, warum und wie unsere Mentalität, Einstellungen und Perspektiven sind so unterschiedlich. Ich könnte Interpretation der Ereignisse und individuelle Maßnahmen Ich sah in Afrika in bestimmten, negativen Möglichkeiten, aber auch meine Interpretation ist ein Spiegelbild meiner amerikanischen Erziehung.
Dennoch, hinter all der "höheren" Träumereien gibt nach wie vor eine einfache Tatsache: Menschen sind Menschen, egal wo sie aufwachsen. Die Menschen unseres Teams trafen im äußersten Norden von Kamerun und in der südlichen Grenze zu Tschad wurden ebenso begeistert wie die Orthodoxie keine neuen konvertieren oder geistig konzentriert Person in Amerika. Sie genossen Tanz und Gesang so viel wie wir. Sie lieben Familie, Freunde und gute Stimmung, und sie hegen und pflegen sie alle. Die Kinder waren unschuldig, die Jugend waren begierig zu lernen, und die Ältesten waren klug. Sie wurden unternehmerischen, auf gute Vernetzung, flexible und Patienten im Angesicht des Wandels. Sie waren gastfreundlich, Art, respektvoll, was und freundlich.

Wie wir reiste, Kinder kommen würde, die von Häusern oder Schulhöfen, werfen ihre Arme in die Luft, lächelt breit, ihre brillant-weißen Zähne glühenden in krassem Gegensatz zu ihrer schönen Ebenholz Gesichter, Schreien in Freude, wie wir barreled Vergangenheit. Wir würden Welle und Lächeln zurück aus dem Bett unseres Anhalter-Lastwagen. Die Kinder multipliziert täglich als Wort des weißen Ausländer, die reisen hin und her Festlegung der Schmutz Straßen verbinden die abgelegenen Dörfern verteilt. Wir waren einige der Einheimischen wusste mehr über unser Zeitplan, als wir haben ... Menschen aller Altersgruppen kamen aus dem "Busch" Egal wo wir waren besuchen. Es wurde gesagt, dass "das Gras Augen hatte."

Jeden Tag fuhren wir zu einer anderen Gemeinde oder Mission Gemeinschaft, zu sehen in jeder Phase das Wachstum von einer Kirche: Gemeinden ohne eine Kirche, neu gekaufte Grund und Boden, groundbreakings, Stiftungen, Bau-Schalen, eine Weihe, jungen Kirchen, alte Kirchen, eine Kathedrale in ... das wahre Herz von Afrika. Es ist buchstäblich Kiefer-Drop zu sein Absturz ein Topf-Löchern Piste oder ein Bare-Fuß-geschlagen Pfad, Reiten hoch in der offenen Anhalter-Lastwagen Bett, fliegen rund einem Busch oder Baum, Ducking unter den Zweigen, Smashing durch eine Hirse Feld-und kreischen plötzlich zum Stillstand vor einem massiven und schöne orthodoxe Kirche! Wir waren in der Regel erfüllt mit einem Teil der Gemeinde Singen, Tanzen, spielen die Trommeln und die Rassel in Höhe von lobt die in der lokalen afrikanischen Dialekt der Tipouri, die das Kontingent durch die wachsende Minute. Dorfbewohner, gekleidet in hellen Stoffen und weißen T-Shirts, freudig begrüßt Metropolitan Gregorios, der Besuch Klerus und unser Team mit Lächeln und ekstatischen hochtönige schreit. Jeder, von Kleinkindern bis Ältesten, herzlich schüttelte unsere Hände. Unsere gebrochen Französisch und Tipouri wurden kaum ein Hindernis für die non-verbale Kommunikation des Lächelns, clasping Hände, klatschen und tanzen zu ihrer Musik, anstarrend in Ehrfurcht an ihren Kirchen, revering ihre Priester, da sie uns, über uns selbst identisch, Lachen bei jeder andere "Possen, die Bilder zusammen und präsentieren sie den digitalen Druck von ihrer Existenz. Ich bin fast in Tränen über die Erinnerung!

In unseren 19-tägigen Aufenthalt in Kamerun (und ein Besuch in den Tschad) besuchten wir mehr als 10 Kirchen, eine Schule, ein Seminar, eine neue Finanz-Venture (Rindfleisch Bauernhof), neue Büros für die Metropolitan-Zentrale ... und wir sahen nur Teil von 2 der 6-Staaten im Rahmen des Metropolitan! Es gibt so viel Arbeit derzeit tun, und so viel mehr zu tun. Fr Michael Miklos, unser Teamleiter, halten die Forderung zu Missionen vor uns und unsere Kameruner Brüder und Schwestern zu jeder Zeit. Metropolitan Gregorios wies darauf hin, die uns, wie auch die Ärmsten der Armen geben, um "den Armen", wenn die Sammlung wird in der Kirche. Was für ein demütigenden Erfahrung!

Trotz unserer kulturellen Unterschiede, fanden wir den Glauben der Menschen, die rufen Afrika zu Hause unglaublich inspirierend. In vielerlei Hinsicht sie nicht brauchen Sie ... Sie sie brauchen. Seien Sie ein Teil eines Οrthodoxen Mission Team. Anteil an einer Reise des Glaubens.

Reflexiones sobre África - miembros de un equipo de experiencia en el Camerún ( machine translation )

por Kelsey Lourie

Como me siento aquí, en un café en Tacoma, WA, y reflexionar sobre mi reciente participación en octubre de 2007 OCMC Camerún misión viaje, no puedo dejar de reconocer cómo nuestra sociedad rica es. Incluso nuestro hogar y los indigentes tienen más oportunidades para una vida mejor que en muchos países del tercer mundo. Durante el Equipo de Misión de la experiencia y ahora en los días siguientes a mi regreso, estoy plagado de preguntarse por qué y cómo nuestra mentalidad, actitudes, y las perspectivas son tan diferentes. Yo podría interpretar los acontecimientos y las acciones individuales que vi en África en algunos, la forma negativa, pero incluso mi interpretación es un reflejo de mi crianza de América.
Sin embargo, detrás de todos los de la "superior" jazz sigue siendo un simple hecho: los seres humanos son humanos, no importa donde crecer. El pueblo nuestro equipo se reunió en el extremo norte del Camerún y en el sur de la zona fronteriza con Chad son tan entusiasmados con la ortodoxia de las nuevas convertir o persona espiritualmente centrado en América. Gozan de baile y canto tanto como nosotros. Les encanta la familia, los amigos y el buen humor, y que apreciamos todo. Los niños son inocentes, los jóvenes estaban ansiosos por aprender, y los ancianos son sabios. Se empresarial, la buena en la creación de redes, flexible y paciente en la cara del cambio. Eran hospitalario, amable, respetuoso, dar y amigable.

Como hemos viajado, los niños que vienen corriendo de las casas o schoolyards, arrojando sus armas en el aire, la sonrisa amplia, sus brillantes dientes blancos brillantes, en marcado contraste con su hermoso rostro de ébano, gritando en la alegría como barreled pasado. Nos onda y sonrisa atrás de la cama de nuestra camioneta. El diario multiplicado los niños como blanco palabra de los extranjeros que viajaban hacia adelante y hacia atrás por la suciedad carreteras que conectan las aldeas remotas propagación. Estamos ciertos los lugareños conocían más acerca de nuestro calendario de lo que hizo ... la gente de todas las edades salieron de la "Bush" no importa dónde nos visita. Se dice que "la hierba había ojos."

Todos los días nos fuimos a otra parroquia o misión de la comunidad, viendo en cada etapa del crecimiento de una iglesia: las comunidades sin una iglesia, recién comprado la tierra, groundbreakings, fundaciones, construcción de depósitos, una consagración, los jóvenes iglesias, antiguas iglesias, una catedral en ... el verdadero corazón de África. Es, literalmente, la mandíbula caída-que se falle en una olla-orificios camino de tierra o un desnudo-pie-camino, cabalgando de altura en el abra camioneta cama, volando alrededor de un arbusto o árbol, en virtud de eludir las ramas, rompiendo a través de una mijo campo y de repente un chillido a detener en frente de una masiva y hermosa iglesia ortodoxa! Nosotros por lo general se reunió con una parte de la parroquia cantando, bailando, tocando los tambores y el sonajero al ritmo de las alabanzas en el dialecto local de África Tipouri, el contingente cada vez mayor por el minuto. Los aldeanos vestidos en telas brillantes y camisetas de color blanco, saludó con alegría Metropolitana Gregorios, el clero y visitando nuestro equipo con sonrisas y extático agudo gritos. Todos, desde niños a ancianos, sacudió a calurosamente nuestras manos. Nuestra roto el francés y el Tipouri apenas un obstáculo a la comunicación no verbal de sonrisas, clasping manos, palmas y el baile a su música, mirando en el temor en sus iglesias, sus sacerdotes revering como lo hacen los nuestros, nosotros mismos idéntico cruce, en cada risa los demás payasadas, la toma de fotografías y demostrando junto a la impresión digital de su existencia. Estoy casi en lágrimas sobre el recuerdo!

En nuestro 19-días de estancia en Camerún (y una visita a Chad) que visitó más de 10 iglesias, una escuela, un seminario, una nueva empresa financiera (el sector de la carne la explotación), nuevas oficinas para la sede del Metropolitano ... y que sólo vio parte de 2 de los 6 países en el marco del Metropolitano! Hay mucho trabajo que se está realizando actualmente y de manera mucho más por hacer. P. Michael Miklos, nuestro jefe de equipo, mantienen el llamamiento a las misiones que tenemos ante nosotros y nuestros camerunés hermanos y hermanas en todo momento. Gregorios Metropolitana señaló a cómo incluso los más pobres entre los pobres dan a "los pobres" cuando la recogida se toma en la iglesia. ¡Qué humillante experiencia!

A pesar de nuestras diferencias culturales, hemos encontrado la fe de las personas que llaman hogar África increíblemente inspiradora. En muchos sentidos, que no es necesario que usted ... usted los necesita. Ser parte de un Equipo de Misión Ortodoxa. Compartir en un viaje de fe.

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, you will be responsible for the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the WASH programme within the country programme.

Your profile:

Advanced university degree in water engineering, in social sciences or a related technical field.

Eight years progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation, in a related field.

Current knowledge of the latest developments and technology, in the field.

Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programmes, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.

Leadership and teamwork abilities.

Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.

Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.

Fluency in English and another UN language required. Knowledge of Arabic, the local language of the duty station, is an asset.

If you have got experience of working in a similar capacity and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send a detailed curriculum vitae in English, AND a duly completed United Nations Personal History form (available at www.unicef.org/employ), quoting VN-08-651 to: recruit.WES@unicef.org. Applications should be received by 22 October 2008. Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

UNICEF’s salary and benefits package is based on the United Nations Common System; visit  www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances for further information.

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

German officials greeted the former hostages after they arrived in Berlin on a special Lufthansa flight from Egypt, the Interior Ministry said. The officials expressed their relief at the tourists' safe return, the government said.

The five Germans were among 11 European tourists kidnapped in southern Egypt, along with eight Egyptian guides, drivers, and guards. Five Italians and one Romanian were also part of the group.

The hostages were released unharmed Monday after a coordinated operation between Egyptian and Sudanese forces, the Sudanese news agency SUNA reported, citing the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The kidnappers were Sudanese and Chadians, and a document found with the abductors showed they belong to the Sudanese Liberation Movement, a rebel group fighting against the Sudan government in Darfur, said ministry spokesman Ali Yousif.

Clearly and if that's the truth, the leaders of the Sudanese Liberation Movement has really lost their senses. After fighting against the Khartoum regime for years, without any kind of international help, they were more than justified to use violence after the reiterated abuses practised by Khartoum's representatives, as the terribly famous Janjaweed. So, to promote their cause, they kidnap some tourists. And the publicity they are going to get is precisely oppossed to the one they actually need.

Background here.

Technorati : Chad, Janjaweed, Sudan, Sudanese Liberation Movement, kidnapped European tourists, violence
Del.icio.us : Chad, Janjaweed, Sudan, Sudanese Liberation Movement, kidnapped European tourists, violence

I've been working Zena and Smokey a lot lately, to gear them up for the winter shows.  Zena has this super fun little trick when I am lunging her.  She pins her ears and tries to kick me.  This has resulted in her getting smacked with a whip.  Neither of us finds this fun and I hope she cuts it out soon.  But, on the upside, she is doing really well on her right lead training.  Mostly. 

The devil dogs are all good.  Layla has lost almost all of her teeth.  Chad says I have been pulling them out, which is total crap.  She chews on me and I fight her off, which sometimes results in a tooth lost.  It's her fault.  She also got a new wheelchair, which fits her to a t.  She loves it and hauls ass around the yard. 

Most exciting, I did a photo shoot with the horses in my wedding dress.  The result:

Good times were had by all.  Summer was there to help, which is good because I didn't plan it out to well.  I needed to have her lace me into my dress, help me on the horses, get the horses, fix my train.  Lots of crap that would have proved difficult in a huge dress.  The boys were so good though.  They didn't try to kill me once.  I thought for sure the huge white dress of death would spook KP, because he is a crazy Arabian, but he did fine.  He did used to show costume, which I forgot about, but that was seriously 25 years ago.  I don't even know if he remembers. 

Then, I had a small get together on Sunday, which required Chad to clean the bathroom.  Every now and again, he starts cleaning and cannot stop.  Sunday was one of those days.  He went at it, then cleaned the other bathroom.  Back to spotless.  I should have more parties if it gets him to clean.  Seriously!

Heavy rains in late July and early August, which caused severe floods in southern Chad, have affected 30,000 people, a third of whom lost their homes and possessions, media alert said.

According to report issued on September 25th, availability of food products on market is difficult due to rains, and food reserves from cereal crops and cash crops have already largely been exhausted.

"Despite three consecutive surplus cereal harvests, rise in cereal prices on international markets has had an impact on domestic prices, with steady increases following last harvest of December 2007," alert says.

It states that most likely, food security scenario from October to December 2008 could be characterised by average to below average cereal harvests compared to last three years.

This according to report, could translate into relatively high prices, even in immediate post-harvest period, with a tendency towards above average prices in following months.

"In conflict-prone zones of East (Dar Sila and Dar Tama), structurally deficit regions (Kanem and Batha West) and Tibesti, which depends almost exclusive on overseas markets (in Libya and Niger) for its food needs, a proportion of households, about 700,000 people will face moderate levels of food insecurity," report says.

It however further shows that elsewhere, most households will be food secure following harvests.

In worst-case scenario, it notes that cereal harvests will be poor due to a bad distribution of rains and localised flooding.

"Anticipation of a weak cereal supply to markets in post-harvest period could lead to a surge in prices before harvest, at peak of hunger period," it says.

It adds that political lack of consensus between rebels and Chadian government or between latter and government of Sudan could trigger new confrontations in east.

Alert further shows that this would lead to increased civil insecurity and new displacements of people and disrupt commercial exchanges and provisioning of emergency humanitarian services for refugees and displaced persons.

"This scenario could result in high to extreme levels of food insecurity for a proportion of households (about 700,000 people) in affected areas, including Tibesti, structurally deficit areas (Western Kanem and Batha), and conflict-prone areas (Dar Sila and Dar Tama)," it concludes.

Cambodia – Kingdom of Cambodia – Oh lord. After years of somewhat sensible Buddhist rule, this little country was riddled with internal and external political shots and became a haven for murderous Rouge rogues. After a few more coups, this place is now a sanctuary for sheer corruption, molded after the Myanmar scheme. Shithole deluxe.

Cameroon – Republic of Cameroon – An African country on the west coast of Africa that could be getting it right, but misses greatly. Place has been relatively stable, but incredibly corrupt. *Sigh*. I guess I should be happy that they aren’t overtly killing people.

Canada – What’s not to love about a country where 1/3 of the population own beer fridges? Only complaint about the Molson swilling Canuck is from my experience from those leaf heads in Vancouver. Every other Canadian I have met has been polite, friendly, and fun to be around, so why does Vancouverites suck SOOO much??

Cape Verde – Republic of Cape Verde – Meh. Not much here. Small island community off the west coast of Africa. You hear about it when hurricanes form nearby, that’s about it.

Cayman Islands (UK overseas territory) – These islands are everything the Cape Verdes want to be. Rich, pleasant, and pricey. Want to move there? You can only work there for 7 years before getting the boot. Still, a nice little haven in the Caribbean, hopefully still there after Gustav.

Central African Republic – *sigh* Ok, another poor country in, well, central Africa. Landlocked CAR really has not much to offer outside of some wonderful forests in the northern and southern border areas. Grows a heck of a lot of cassava. Um, helped provide the ever-comical word Ubangi to the English language. Some promise in cotton farming, but that’s about it. AIDS rate is around 12% or so.

Chad – Republic of Chad – One of the poorest nations on Earth, this country just north of the CAR is rife with corruption, mismanagement, misinformation, ignorance, and evil. Every time something positive happens, the government quickly steps in and screws it up royally. Unstable until very recent, the government is a sneeze away from an absolute dictatorship. Censorship abounds. Full of refugees from Darfur. Classic case of an A+ shithole.

Chile – Republic of Chile – Weirdly shaped Chile has just that against it: shape. Everything else in this wonderful South American country is looking up. High GDP and a very stable government have allowed the people to enjoy economic and social freedoms. They are also believers in a free market. Nice. Some complain about distribution of wealth (the “why can’t everybody be rich” nonsense) there, but truly that will come to pass. Surviving an economic downturn in the late 90s can only mean a brighter future for this place. I will have to visit sometime!

China – People's Republic of China – A Marxist enclave of soulless commie robots. Nothing redeeming here in the billions of humanity outside of the hope that one day freedom will prevail in this powerhouse of a country. Prolific cheaters in the Olympics. Likes to kill Tibetans. The Sith of Szechuan. Without this country, Wal-mart would cease to exist. Evil in spades, my friends, in spades. I remember Tiananmen Square, do you?

Christmas Island – Territory of Christmas Island (Australian overseas territory) – &

Cocos (Keeling) Islands – Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australian overseas territory) – I included these two groups together. Australian islands in the Indian Ocean. Not much to say about them. I guess they might be a hoot to visit?

Colombia – Republic of Colombia – I visited this country back in 1994. I was welcomed as long as I kept spending money, which is typical for any touristy area. I was in Cartagena, which is the Vegas of Colombia. I had a decent time, even though I was robbed. On a whole, as an American, I would never visit the place again. It’s not safe for us. Even Canadians are having issues. Too many kidnappings there. The government has absolutely no control in the spaces between cities, thus my shithole rating. Sorry, Colombia, but you know better.

Comoros – Union of the Comoros – Since independence from France, the Comoros experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups. That should tell you about the state of affairs here, since they gained independence in the 70’s. Could be a wonderful place to visit, but isn’t. Just a Muslim ruled chain of islands near Mozambique.

Congo – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Um, we called this place Zaire in school. Full of political strife, full of war, full of poverty, full of mismanagement and full of corruption are what Congo has going for it. Yes, you guessed it: this central African country is full of FAIL. Tantalum, diamonds and copper are mined here, but it’s still a shithole.

Congo – Republic of the Congo – Hey, not only do they have the same names, they both suck! This Congo lies next door to the Zaire Congo and is also full of poverty, war, political upheaval, slavery…you name it. Some diamond exports are about it for anything of value. Shithole.

Cook Islands (Associated state of New Zealand) – Wonderful islands in the South Pacific who 1) govern themselves quite well 2) keeps their noses out of everyone else’s business. Wonderful! Tourism is the biggest industry there by far. Plan on visiting sometime, especially if we start cruising the world in retirement. If not, maybe a visit when we see New Zealand. Either way, it’s a wonderful, friendly paradise.

Costa Rica – Republic of Costa Rica – A stable Central American country, Costa Rica should be a jewel, yet it lacks so much. The high cost of a socialist country has drained the resources, although things are looking up as they promote free trade. My company’s call center is located there, thus making any quick resolution to IT problems impossible. Tourism is high, as it should be. This welfare state might do better if it would wean the people off the government’s teat and start giving incentives to the entrepreneur. Also, letting go of the nationalized companies would do wonders. Not immediately, mind you, but it’s better than this road of constant poverty you tread.

Côte d'Ivoire – Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Croatia – Highly corrupt and politically unstable, Ivory Coast (as it is known in the civilized world) is just another equatorial West African country who just enjoys killing it’s own people. Let’s face it, Africa has a butt-load of problems, and most of these asshole governments just make it worse. Shithole a’la Ivoire.

Republic of Croatia – As this former Yugoslav country crawls out from under the rubble of war, things are showing improvement. Industry looks to be taking off, but still has a ways to go. The country has been stable politically since it gained independence, so perhaps this place will be the shining star in an otherwise dreary region. Let’s hope so. 

Cuba – Republic of Cuba – A joke, right? Yeah, nothing like a banana-republic dictatorship infused with Marxism in an island full of promise. Yuhp, this place is not a shithole, but awful close. The people are too proud to let it become a full fledged shithole, but they are too weak minded to change things. I honestly believe that if we could get the Golden Arches in there, communism would fall like Skylab. Here’s to hoping that the next revolution comes soon. (Bloodless, of course).

Cyprus – Republic of Cyprus – Highly prosperous, this Med island is not what it seems. Damn place was invaded in the 70’s by Turkey, so a section of it is under Turkish control. There are even UN troops there guarding the line TO THIS DAY. Jeebus. Prosperity does not always equal happiness, evidently. Also, if you want a sex slave, you’ll probably go here as human trafficking is very high. Very popular place for Europeanss for some reason. Hmmmmm.

Czech Republic – When the iron curtain fell, these people PEACEFULLY separated themselves from the Slovaks in the former Czechoslovakia. In fact, I didn’t know they had separated until years afterward (I was in the military at the time and news never came quickly). It hasn’t been all roses, but these people wanted peace and got it. Nice. A perfect example of two ethnic groups settling matters peacefully. Damn. Folks need to write a book on how it’s done. Corruption is fairly predominant, like any former Soviet country would be, but the privatization of much of the economy should help keep that in check. Keep up the good work and much luck.

A group of Western tourists and their Egyptian guides, who were kidnapped 10 days ago by gunmen, have been freed.

The 11 hostages - five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian - and some eight guides are said to be in good health.

The group, abducted in a remote border region of Egypt, have now arrived at a military base in the capital, Cairo.

Egyptian officials said they were freed in a mission near Sudan's border with Chad, and that half of the kidnappers were killed. No ransom was paid.

The freed hostages were greeted by Egyptian military and government officials on arrival in Cairo as well as foreign diplomats, and were then taken for medical checks.

Sudanese authorities had been tracking the group since early last week through a remote mountainous plateau that straddles the borders of Egypt, Libya and Sudan.

They were seized in an ambush at around dawn on Monday, Egyptian security sources said. Some 150 Egyptian special forces were then sent to Sudan, officials said.

German officials had been negotiating via satellite phone with the kidnappers, who were demanding a ransom of $8.8m (£4.9m). Egyptian officials said no money exchanged hands.

Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that Sudanese and Egyptian forces had carried out "a highly professional operation".

He added that "Italian intelligence and experts from the special forces" in Italy and Germany had been involved.

Egypt's defense minister said that half of hostage-takers had been "eliminated", without giving precise figures.

Reports suggest that Egypt's tourism minister will be relieved.

The abductees had been touring in an area well off the beaten track but a messy end to this crisis would not have been good for the health of the Egyptian economy, our correspondent says.

Suspects

The breakthrough comes a day after Sudanese troops clashed with alleged kidnappers in northern Sudan, killing six gunmen. Another two were taken into custody.

The two suspects claimed the tourists were in Chad but their exact whereabouts at the time of rescue remains unclear. Chad denied the group was within its borders.

In a statement, the military said the vehicle of the hostage-takers was full of weapons and documents detailing how the ransom should have been paid.

Other documents found inside led the army to believe a faction of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army was involved in the kidnapping.

None of Darfur's numerous rebel groups have said they were linked to the kidnappings.

Other reports said the abduction, near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, was carried out by tribesmen or bandits operating in the area.

Sudanese officials say their forces have shot and killed six of the kidnappers who abducted a group of European tourists in Egypt last week.

Two other suspected kidnappers have been taken into custody, but the tourists themselves remain in captivity in Chad, officials in Sudan said.

The hostages - 11 tourists and eight Egyptian guides - were taken on 19 September and are said to be unharmed.

They include five Germans, five Italians and a Romanian.

A spokesman for Sudan's military told The Associated Press that the kidnappers were killed following a high-speed desert chase.

Sawarmy Khaled said the missing Europeans, who were abducted in Egypt but thought to have been taken first to Sudan and are now being held in neighbouring Chad.

Leader 'dead'

Mr Khaled said the Sudanese military forces were near the Libyan border when they encountered a white sports utility vehicle carrying eight armed men, AP reported.

Gilf al-Kebir is a popular destination for adventurous tourists

"The armed forces called for it to stop, but they did not respond and there was pursuit in which six of the armed men were killed," he said, adding that the group's leader, who he identified as a Chadian named Bakhit, was among the dead.

The remaining two gunmen were captured and they confessed to being involved in kidnapping the tourists and their guides, who were on desert safari in southwest Egypt.

The tourists, who were seized while near Gilf al-Kebir in Egypt, are being held by 35 other gunmen in the Tabbat Shajara region of Chad, Mr Khaled added.

The shootings come as negotiations continue for the release of the hostages.

An Egyptian official told the AFP news agency that the kidnappers and German negotiators had agreed to a deal but that "negotiations were still ongoing to work out details."

The kidnappers have demanded that Germany take charge of payment of an $8.8m ransom.

German officials have declined comment.

on the plus side, we have had new people visiting the past few weeks. the best part is they keep coming back. the are not normal church attenders which is very exciting. i am not interested in having students that normally attend another church to visit. they need to support their community. since my arrival to albany, i have always shared with my volunteers and those i answer to that i want God to bring us the kids nobody else wants or the ones others have given up on. i also want students that don't attend church and want to see what it means to follow Christ.

i have been visiting schools. this has been eye opening and a great experience. i have also started riding along with the albany police department. one of the officers is a youth leader at the church. he is ministry minded in his work. i will have an opportunity to talk to students who are making poor life decisions. although this is a bit intimidating, i know that this is just another door God has opened for me.

pray that God continues to open doors for me to cross paths with those student i mentioned, and that we will welcome them into the community with open hearts. pray for the youth of our church, that God would continue to soften their hearts for the lost and outcast.