United States: Two Adventist Women Drown  ... Two young Adventist women, Meghan Doggett, 21, and Mindy Cosaert, 16, drowned in the Wenatchee river rapids near Leavenworth, Washington, on July 15. Cosaert and Liza Vargas, also 16, were attempting to cross the river when they were caught in the unexpectedly strong current and swept downstream through rapids. The girls were part of an informal group of 12 to 15 young people from Adventist churches in Wenatchee, Washington, reports youth pastor Michael Dauncey. Doggett, leader of the Wenatchee Adventist Church youth group, entered the water in an effort to rescue them but was also caught in the current. Vargas survived the ordeal with scratches and bruises. The other women traveled about a mile down the rapids before their bodies were retrieved, Dauncey said. CPR was administered on site before ambulances rushed the girls to Central Washington Hospital. Doggett was pronounced dead on Sunday afternoon (July 16), and Cosaert was pronounced dead on Tuesday morning (July 18). [North Pacific Union Conference Communication Department/AR]

United States: Alfred C. McClure, Veteran Adventist Leader, Dies ... Seventh-day Adventist pastor Alfred C. McClure, 74, a two-term president of the church in North America, died August 1 following a lengthy illness. A fourth-generation descendant of the first Seventh-day Adventist in Alabama, McClure’s career included pastoral appointments in Florida and Missouri, as well as leadership roles in several American areas. While he was North American church leader, satellite evangelism was launched, and more than 250,000 people were baptized as Adventists. During his tenure, the North American region became a distinct administrative area of the world church; it had formerly been a part of the church’s world headquarters leadership. His wife and three children survive. A funeral was held in Collegedale, Tennessee, United States.

Madagascar: ADRA Works to Alleviate Poverty ... The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is working to alleviate poverty in Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the world. The ADRA office there has launched the “Alleviating Poverty Through Improved Livelihood and Health in Fandriana” project. The project, which should benefit 1,400 people directly and an additional 4,125 indirectly, contributes to the alleviation of poverty among the poorest households in five communes in the Fandriana region. Through improved rice farming and kitchen gardens, income-generating activities in agriculture or crafts, and establishment or reinforcement of community-based health services a higher standard of living will be implemented. The project, which is worth US$970,030, is scheduled to last three years.

Peru: Government Officials Participate in Evangelical Worship ... For the first time ever leaders from the Peruvian government participated in an evangelical worship. Led by recently elected President Dr. Alan García Pérez, other government officials along with leaders and representatives from all the evangelical churches in Peru attended the First Ceremony of Thanksgiving for Peru. The morning worship took place in the community of Pueblo Libre. The worship was significant because during the 16th and 17th Centuries, Lima was the capital of the Latin American Inquisition and for centuries, the Catholic Church dominated the social, political, and economic scene in Peru. Local analysts concluded that the gathering strengthens religious liberty and supports the work and actions of the evangelical Christians in that country. [Jonny Pastor/ASN/ANN]

Jamaica: Local Church President To Receive National Honor ... Pastor Patrick L. Allen, Ph.D., president of the Seventh-day Adventist church’s West Indies Union Conference, will receive the Order of Distinction—in the Rank of Commander from the Jamaican government. The award will be conferred on October 16—the same day the country honors its national heroes. Pastor Allen is being recognized for his contribution to the nation in the areas of religion, education and social welfare.  Pastor Allen, an educator, ordained minister and a justice of the peace in Jamaica is the third president in West Indies Union to receive a national honor. Pastors Silas McKinney and Leon Wellington also received national honors, from their respective countries of the Bahamas and Jamaica.

India: Adventist Students Accepted at Top Medical College  ... Several Seventh-day Adventist students have claimed spots at one of the top 10 medical colleges in India—Christian Medical College. The school is maintained by the CMC Vellore Association, a registered society formed by more than 50 Indian churches and Christian organizations, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern Asia.  Historically, the 53 churches and bodies have sponsored students to fill up 45 of the 60 seats leaving thousands of applicants from all over the country to compete for the remaining 15 seats. As part of the Association with sponsorship rights, one Adventist student was usually accepted to the medical course each year.

Recently the commission for Tamil Nadu, the state that CMC, Vellore is in, determined that it was not fair to the Christian community of the country for members of the CMC Association to keep 75 percent of the seats for candidates from their own churches.  While this is being contested in court, the admissions for 2006 did not reserve any seats for sponsored students.  Adventist applicants thus for the first time competed on a level playing field with the entire Christian community of the country. Whereas one Adventist was expected to get accepted for the medical course formerly, this year two gained admission.  Thirteen other Adventists were accepted into the school’s other programs. [Gordon Christo/SUD/ANN]