Just listened to a great podcast at The Noble Heart, a conversation with Brian Golter & Gary Barkalow discussing "Search & Rescue", the need for, and roll of a mentor / "sage" in our lives. Inspiring stuff, give her a listen at: http://www.thenobleheart.com/#/podcasts/4539573809

Orphan Statistics

Orphan Statistics

It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide (recent UNICEF report.)

The current population of the United States is just a little over 300 million… to give you an idea of the enormity of the numbers… (The current population of Russia is 141 million)

Every day 5,760 more children become orphans

2,102,400 more children become orphans every year in Africa alone

Every 15 seconds, another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan

There are an estimated 14 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa (a number higher than the total of every under-eighteen year old in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Ireland combined)

This figure is estimated to reach 18 million orphans in Africa alone by 2010 (only two and a half years away)

8 out of 10 children orphaned by AIDS lives in sub-saharan Africa

Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but…

Each year 14, 505, 000 children grow up as orphans and age out of the system by age sixteen

Each day 38,493 orphans age out

Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home

Heading to Edmonton May 7-11th!

Looking forward to my upcoming trip to Edmonton, AB. I've lived in Alberta for the better part of ten years, so it's a bit of a homecoming each time I make it back to the Prairies. My good friend and former colleague Myron Penner (Myron and I co-authored a book together back in 07 "A Knew Kind of Conversation")has arranged for a number of presentations of Mark's Gospel for the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton. I think Taylor Seminary is also having me present too. Can't wait. Go Flames Go!