This month for FOCUS / Connect we have been learning about practical ways to impact the world for Christ from your couch. Each week's Bible study ends with a challenge. You are welcome to join us in our effort to bring God's Kingdom here on earth.

1. Water-born parasites and lack of clean sanitation kill millions of people each year. The challenge is to drink only water for one week. Keep a tab of how much money you would spend on coffee, soft drinks, etc. and donate that money to RDI (www.rdic.org/donate.htm)  RDI is an organization that provides clean water and Living Water to impoverished people in Cambodia.

2. Christians around the globe are beaten, jailed, and even killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Following Jesus example in Matthew 25:40-41 (I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me), we want to help our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith. We have two challenges this week.
A.Go to www.prisoneralert.com and write an encouraging letter to a brother or sister imprisoned for their faith. (It's in the box to the right of profile, called "What You Can Do...") The website will translate your letter into their language and then you print it and mail it (address is provided).
B.Go to www.persecution.com/actionpacks and send a relief basket with basic provisions to Christian refugees. Pick which country you'd like to send a letter and you'll be sent a box and a list of things to put in the box (blanket, towel, soap, etc) Then you mail the box and it goes to a refugee who has fled persecution.