Ecuador: ADRA Aides Survivors of Massive Volcanic Eruption ... The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Ecuador is distributing emergency bedding, along with food kits containing staples like rice and sugar for 2,000 Ecuadorians living in Tungurahua, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxí. On August 16, 2006, these provinces were the hardest hit when one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes, Tungurahua, showered molten lava, debris, and ash over an estimated 50-mile radius during what was the most violent and destructive eruption the country had witnessed in seven years. The falling debris and ash killed five people, wounding and displacing dozens of others and wreaking havoc on 300,000 acres of farmland. Along with the emergency kits, ADRA is also sending volunteer physicians to Ecuador to treat those suffering from respiratory problems triggered by ash inhalation. [ADRA/ANN]

United States: California Kindergarteners Raise $500 for Chadian Hospital ... Kindergarteners at the Palo Cedro Seventh-day Adventist church in Palo Cedro, California, have been collecting quarters ever since they watched “Unto the Ends,” a documentary by Paul Kim about Dr. James and Sarah Appel’s work at the remote Beré Adventist Hospital in Beré, Chad, Africa. To help motivate the youngsters, kindergarten teachers built a model church, which they glued the children’s offerings onto each week. The sixth-month tally was $500, which has since been sent to the hospital to fund much-needed medical supplies and equipment. Dr. Appel is the only physician in a community of 140,000 people. [Dustin Jones/ANN Staff]

United States: Adventist University Remembers 9/11 ... To remember September 11, which marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C., Andrews University faculty, staff, and students participated in a variety of commemorative events. Beyond keeping a campus-wide moment of silence in the morning, event participants “planted” a wreath and United States flag at the university’s entrance. At noon, the campus body gathered below the American flag in the center of campus for a few thoughts on freedom, peace, and global understanding led by Dr. William Richardson, the university’s retired dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Throughout the day, flags were distributed as visual reminders and hymns were played in the campus’s Pioneer Memorial Church. [Beverly Stout/ANN]

Japan: Adventist World Radio Participates in 2006 Tokyo Radio Fair ... Adventist World Radio (AWR), the mission radio arm of the Seventh-day Adventist church, sent representatives to join an estimated 75,000 individuals who attended the 2006 Tokyo Ham (Radio) Fair, hosted by the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) on August 19 and 20. AWR, through its work in the Asia-Pacific region, contributed to the milestone amateur radio work in Japan this year’s fair celebrated. Amid distributing flyers, program guides, and freebies to AWR would-be listeners, Rhoen Catolico, assistant program director of AWR in Asia and the Pacific, commented that AWR was proud to contribute to the memorable event. AWR uses shortwave, AM/FM, satellite, and Internet broadcasts around the world to bring the gospel to regions where geographical and political barriers inhibit regular evangelistic outreach. AWR’s Asia-Pacific regional office is located in Singapore. [SSD/ANN]

Sweden: Adventists Sell Health Food Company ... Following several decades of successful business, on September 1, 2006 the Seventh-day Adventist church in Sweden sold its health food business and trademark AB Svenska Nutana to Kung Markatta, a Swedish health food company specializing in lactose- and gluten-free foods and other special-diet items. In response to the recent upswing in the health food market, the executive committee of the Adventist church in Sweden proposed the sale, which resulted in over 50 million Swedish kroner (about U.S.$7 million). “Wisely invested, the capital will generate interest which can be used to support and further develop the work of the church in Sweden,” said Swedish Union treasurer, Ronny Hermansson. [Audrey Andersson/TED/ANN Staff]

Australia: Record Camp-Meeting Offerings Bring Mission Project Closer to Reality ... Mission offerings and pledges from camp-meetings held in Australia and New Zealand during the past financial year tallied A$200,000 (about U.S.$150,000), a four-year record for the Seventh-day Adventist church’s South Pacific region. “[This] represents a return [to] the mission outreach of the church,” said director of Adventist Mission in the South Pacific, Raymond Coombe. The funds mean the Malaita Mission in the Solomon Islands will be able to rebuild its Kwailabesi Training School. The remainder of the offerings will be put toward the purchase of a new airplane for Papua New Guinea that will provide a valuable means of transportation to remote villages in the South Pacific. Missionary-pilot Roger Millist visited the West Australian camp-meeting this year, and Coombe says this sort of mission awareness contributed to the record-breaking offerings. “We hope with God’s blessing upon our members this year, [that] we can continue the upward trend in mission giving.” [RECORD Staff/ANN]

Inter-America: Adventist Church Celebrates Outstanding Leader ... On September 9, 2006, leaders from across the Seventh-day Adventist church in Inter-America—the region spanning Central America and the Caribbean—gathered at regional church headquarters in Miami, Florida, for a special memorial service to commemorate the life and service of Bender L. Archbold. Archbold, who died on August 12 at age 98, served as regional president from 1970-1980. Known as “Mr. Evangelism,” Archbold was the first Inter-American to become president of the region, which he saw become the largest region of the church during his presidency. Isreal Leito, current president of the church in Inter-America, said “[Elder Archbold] set the vision and the direction we are following. His leadership of understanding, caring, and guiding the church has been of great help to us.” Also present at the memorial service were Archbold’s two daughters, Elizabeth and Ruth, along with his granddaughters, friends, former co-workers, and Orville Parchment, who, on behalf of Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the world church, expressed appreciation for Archbold’s contribution to the church in Inter-America. [Libna Stevens/IAD/ANN]