Zaydaya's Dad

Youtube of Darfur rally in Indy

Here is a short, edited piece of the Darfur rally i spoke at this past Sunday -  You can hear my voice at the end of the video -   and see clips of the Holocaust and Darfur survivors, dancing, music....

speaking at Darfur rally in Indy

This past Sunday I had the honor to speak at Save Darfur rally -  See the article in the Indy Star  -  There were 2 holocaust survivors and a few survivors from Darfur - It was amazing - The dancing, music, stories -  I was the last speaker and felt rather out of place hearing these amazing stories -   One 9 year old boy from Darfur read the most amazing poem / story of his journey and call to China to aid in stopping the genocide that has claimed 400,000 lives.  - It was downtown at the IUPUI campus and a great turnout -
I wish to comment on this issue in another post and offer some honest reflection

an image that speaks

I love this image as it raises questions in my mind and gives answers to me.  what does this image speak to you?    are we attempting to accomplish and progress in life in vain?   do you ever feel what you do leads to little impact or fruit?   could it be that the evident and clear instructions are often ignored or neglected?

korean hostages have been freed

i have just come to find out that the hostages from Korea have been freed -  Read more here

powerful video of korean hostages held by Taliban

pray for the Korean Christian volunteer group still held as hostages by the Taliban in Afghanistan -

review on Dangerous Faith

i was encouraged to read this review on my book, Dangerous Faith,  by Byron K. Borger in central Pennlesvania who owns a book store -

"Joel Vestal (NavPress) $13.99 First this: this is the first in a great new series called Deliberate, an imprint of books that seem to speak the language of emerging evangelicals, with the tone and passion of newer generation voices, somewhat in the mold of Donald Miller, say. (It is, happily, also a line that is committed to a green approach to book manufacturing, with the vital Earth stats listed for each book. Way to go, NavPress!) This book is seriously evangelical, very wholistic, profoundly cross-cultural...." 

Read All of the Review

more info on the Oromo

Thank you Steve Knight for more info on the Oromo of Ethiopa  here

Oromo, Yejju of Ethiopia

  This distinct ethnic group is known as the Oromo, Yejyu -

Population:	74,000
Language:	Oromo, West Central
Religion:	Islam

They are 100% Muslim with no known believers among them and live in poverty with many dying with lack of food, medical care, and water Learn more and pray for these people

Indiana connected to Myanmar Crisis

I trust you have been following recent events of injustice towards Buddhists in Myanmar.   I just learned of something and an event in Indianapolis this week -

"Some day, perhaps soon, a democratic Burma will bear the faint stamp: “Made in Indiana.” Burmese dissidents and constitutional scholars are drafting a new constitution in Bloomington. Ties between the state and crisis-ridden Burma will intensify if things turn badly, too: Indianapolis is the major destination for refugees from Burma, and we will get a lot more if the goons in Rangoon respond as brutally as they have in the past.

When: Thursday October 4, 3:30-5:00 PM
Where: International Center of Indianapolis 32 W. Washington St. Indianapolis

In recent days tens of thousands of Burmese Buddhist monks, students and democratic activists, and ordinary citizens have taken the streets to protest an oppressive government. Why are they risking their lives? Will the Burmese government respond as brutally as it has to previous challenges? How might this crisis be resolved? What should the US government do? And what can we in Indiana do to help? Join Burmese activists and scholars from Indiana University’s Center for Constitutional Democracy in Plural Societies, US foreign policy-shapers, students and refugees from Burma, and concerned Hoosiers to discuss the current situation.

Foks in Indiana may not appreciate just how closely connected our state is with Burma. Burmese are becoming part of the fabric of our daily lives. We are one of the leading destinations for Burmese refugees, mostly Karen and Chin ethnic minorities who have been huddled in refugee camps on the Thai border.

Read and Learn More