I just finished a great little book by the 5 Love Languages guy, Gary Chapman, called Life-Changing Cross-Cultural Friendships. He co-authored it with his life long African American friend, Clarence Shuler.
I heartily recommend the book, but want to specifically share a paragraph that challenged me. Given that cross-cultural friendships are fraught with pitfalls, Shuler and Chapman encourage us to say early and often, “If I ever offend you by something I say or do, or something I fail to say or do, please tell me. I want our relationship to be open and honest. If I offend you, I want to understand it and apologize. Can we agree on this kind of openness?” I love that!
Flooding in Pakistan
Please join me in praying for the people of Pakistan who are reeling from the effects of an “unprecedented monsoon season.” NPR says, “Some 33 million Pakistanis have been affected by the flooding since it began in June. It has killed more than 1,100 people — including hundreds of children — and the death toll is expected to rise.”
Here’s a beautiful prayer video you might show at church or small group this week.
Click here to give for flood relief and here to build clean water capacity in Pakistan.
Uyghur Genocide
Thirteen minutes before her term expired, UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet released a report on China’s treatment of Uyghurs.
According to the BBC, “the UN’s report concluded that “’the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups … may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.’”
The report recommends that China take immediately action to release “all individuals arbitrarily deprived of their liberty.”
May God use this report and the action taken in response to it for the deliverance of many Uyghurs.