NGOs

Indianapolis Colts offensive linebacker Seth Olsen recently returned from his first trip to Uganda, where he saw how God is using his people to provide physical and spiritual water to villagers.

Olsen just returned from a 10-day trip to the Alyet Village in northern Uganda, where he witnessed first-hand how his donation to Lifewater International is helping to prevent a wide range of problems, from diseases to kidnapping.

The 6-foot, 4-inch, 305-pound football player is a benefactor of Lifewater International, a non-profit Christian organization that helps improve water, sanitation and hygiene for people in some of the poorest regions in the world. more >>

International donors led by the U.K. and Bill Gates have pledged $4.3 billion to provide vaccines to 250 million children across the world's poorest countries at a fund-raising conference in London Monday.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (G.A.V.I.) has been held in a drive to prevent millions of premature deaths in the coming years by providing relatively cheap and easily available vaccines to the world's poorest regions.

The U.K. led the way for donors from across the globe with Prime Minister David Cameron pledging $1.3 billion to the scheme, which was just under a third of the total raised. more >>

Despite a steady news media stream of stories on drug cartel violence and killings in Mexico over the last few years, hundreds of Christians living in Southern California have maintained their dedication to weekend mission trips south of the border.

Their goal – to minister and provide basic necessities to the destitute in northern Baja.

However, Orange County resident Isabel Monje, who has been involved with Christian ministry and outreaches in Mexico for more than 22 years, said the media’s focus on the criminal element has lowered the number of groups and individuals taking trips south of the border during the last four years. more >>

Three NFL players traveled to El Salvador recently with Compassion International to visit poverty-stricken children, including the children they sponsor through the organization.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Aaron Kampman (and his wife Linde) and Jaguars linebacker Russell Allen (and his wife Ali) were accompanied by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Craig Terrill (and his wife Rachel) on the trip. They met with their sponsored children, Jonathan (10), Natalie (7) and Katherine (9), respectively.

“A lot of times here in the States I am recognized as a NFL player, and many think that gives me great value,” said Kampman. “While I love the game, it is through the eyes of these Compassion children that I can see a greater value and importance for my life beyond the football field and the potential we each have to help a child.” more >>

A top Vatican official has told the Catholic Church’s aid arm that it must retain a vibrant Christian identity.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, was speaking at the general assembly of Caritas Internationalis, the international alliance of Catholic aid and development agencies.

In the homily to open the assembly on Sunday, he told the charities that their work “could never be limited to assisting people’s material needs.” more >>

More than 100 reported tornadoes have devastated the South, killing as many as 248 people across six states – the worst outbreak since 1974.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. said it received 137 tornado reports into Wednesday night, including 66 in Alabama and 38 in Mississippi.

The majority of the fatalities occurred in hard-hit Alabama, with authorities recording 162 deaths from Wednesday night’s storm. more >>