ADRA Completes School Project in Afghanistan

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Afghanistan recently completed a six-month education project in Jowzjan Province, Northern Afghanistan. The project rehabilitated the Oramast Elementary School, a girl’s school, the Mirwaismina School and Jowzjan Orphanage. With funding from the Faroe Islands government, Hope for Humanity, HELP International and ADRA International, the project resulted in an “81 percent increase in school enrollment and a 75 percent increase in the number of children with access to clean water at school,” reported Karla Leitzke, project manager for ADRA Afghanistan. [Michelle Oetman]

The President of Poland Accepts Patronage of Adventist Youth Congress

The President of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski, accepted an invitation to be an honorary patron of the upcoming European Adventist Youth Congress, Aug. 4 to 8 in the southwestern city of Wroclaw. In a letter to the Polish Adventist Church, the chief of the president’s cabinet wrote that, “In the world, there is no shortage of problems that vividly interest young people. They know that irrespective of religious convictions and the color of their skin, they are our hope and the future of the world will belong to them. The president expresses hope that these values will accompany the participants of the Wroclaw Congress.” The Congress is expected to bring several thousand young people from 30 countries and will be held under a theme of “Time 4 Action.” [Ray Dabrowski]

Booklet Combines Family and Evangelism

“Family Evangelism,” an eponymous booklet readied for the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Year of Evangelism 2004, has been released by the Family Ministries Department of the world church. The 150-page resource “increases the likelihood that we’ll bring the whole family to Jesus,” says Karen Flowers, family ministries co-director. “Jesus said the gospel was radical—it would split families, but he didn’t say it was ideal. If a person is isolated, a church can’t support like a family can.” The book highlights strengthening marriage and relationships with kids and extended families. It is being sent out to approximately 12,000 Adventist pastors, while every world region of the church has their own version. People in North America can get a copy by contacting AdventSource at www.adventsource.org. [Ansel Oliver]