Britons pay for Indian surrogate mothers
The commercialization of wombs is increasing day by day in our society. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Britain but many Britons are paying Indians to become surrogate mothers for them. This growing trend in India not only disregards the social systems in the country but also raises many ethical questions. The birth to surrogate mothers in India last year is likely to be 2,000. Experts agree that the prime single source of the majority of these births is from Britons. There are almost 1,000 unregulated clinics in India, most of them specializing in helping Britons to become parents. Indian surrogate industry has been utilized widely by Britons who don’t wish to bear and deliver children. Only around 100 births are recorded in Britain while almost 1,000 births are recorded through surrogate mothers in India for British couples. Surrogacy Centre India reported, ‘Gay people are desperate to have a family.’ The investigation conducted by last week’s Sunday Telegraph highlights a rapidly growing business.
Pray: that the ‘wombs-to-rent’ culture and all its medical hazards among third world countries would be carefully regulated. (Job 5:16)
More: http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=052812110304
60 years of Commonwealth changes
A recent BBC poll recognised the majority of people believe the Queen should retain the title of Defender of the Faith. So it seems right that a celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II could not be complete without recognising the significant progress in the last 60 years of Bible translation in those countries claiming the Queen as their figurehead. Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) have facilitated language development work throughout the Commonwealth during the Queen’s reign. Within the 54 currently listed Commonwealth countries many of the minority language groups within her realm have received God’s translated word for the first time. As language development throughout the world grows, so the way is opened for mother tongue literacy and education and translated health information materials, along with translated Scriptures. WBT has been involved in the translation of 781 New Testaments and 27 complete Bibles, reaching around 145 million people speaking 749 languages. Current projects include 1,500 language programmes.
Pray: that the 350 million people from 2,040 languages still waiting for translation to begin would soon have the opportunity to hear and read about Jesus Christ as their Saviour. (Mk.16:15)
More: http://www.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleaseswww.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleases
America: Cohabiting couples' 'Free Wedding Day'
Marriage is a dwindling institution in the USA, dropping 54% since 1960. During that same time, the number of couples cohabiting has skyrocketed. Craig Gorc, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Seattle wanted to fight for marriage and against cohabitation. He found one of the biggest barriers to a couple's wedding these days is the enormous cost (averaging $26,542 in Seattle), so he and the congregation at Cedar Park Assembly put on a Free Wedding Day last June, advertising through their website, social media, the news media and their senior pastor's email list of more than 6,000 people. Three couples took them up on the offer and more will this June. ‘The cost that we're saving them is about $8,000 to $10,000,’ Gorc told CBN News. ‘We provide everything you need except for the bride and groom.’ The main goal was to ensure couples wouldn't feel judged for their lifestyles or life choices.
Praise: God for this initiative and may many similar Christian outreach avenues be opened at such a time as this. (Php.3:7)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/May/Church-Offers-Cohabiting-Couples-Free-Wedding-Day/
America: Cohabiting couples' 'Free Wedding Day'
Marriage is a dwindling institution in the USA, dropping 54% since 1960. During that same time, the number of couples cohabiting has skyrocketed. Craig Gorc, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Seattle wanted to fight for marriage and against cohabitation. He found one of the biggest barriers to a couple's wedding these days is the enormous cost (averaging $26,542 in Seattle), so he and the congregation at Cedar Park Assembly put on a Free Wedding Day last June, advertising through their website, social media, the news media and their senior pastor's email list of more than 6,000 people. Three couples took them up on the offer and more will this June. ‘The cost that we're saving them is about $8,000 to $10,000,’ Gorc told CBN News. ‘We provide everything you need except for the bride and groom.’ The main goal was to ensure couples wouldn't feel judged for their lifestyles or life choices.
Praise: God for this initiative and may many similar Christian outreach avenues be opened at such a time as this. (Php.3:7)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/May/Church-Offers-Cohabiting-Couples-Free-Wedding-Day/
