Today is Valentine’s Day - a day to recognize the people you love and care about most. This year’s Valentine spending is expected to exceed $17 billion, but not all of it may go toward chocolate that melts or flowers that fade.

The New York Times reported in December that over the last several years, charitable gift cards are gaining popularity. These work very much like normal gift cards, with a prepaid amount designated by the purchaser and given in the form of a card or e-mail card to the recipient. But instead of taking it to a store, the recipient can choose to make a donation to their favorite charity. One gift card provider, NetworkForGood.org, lists over 1.7 million US registered non-profit organizations for giving.

Other groups offering these cards are CharityGiftCertificates.org, JustGive.org, and TisBest.org. It sounds like a fantastic way to show you care with a gift that will make a lasting difference.

The following is adapted with permission from Tom Zurowski, Director of Global Response Network.

While exploring the needs of the South Sudanese population, GRN director Tom Zurowski found that in every village, Christian education was the overwhelming request of the people. During one of these missions, the Nugent School was discovered. A British missionary named Nugent originally built the school in 1929. Since that time, Sudan has undergone a brutal civil war that has not only taken the lives of over two million people and devastated the infrastructure of the South but has also left two generations with little or no education. It is estimated that 90% of all the people in Southern Sudan are illiterate.

For several years, Global Response Network (GRN) has been working to renovate the historic school located in Loka, Southern Sudan. Currently, hundreds of children are enrolled in the Loka Senior Secondary School and are receiving quality education on a daily basis. The school is highly regarded as one of the best schools and draws students from various locations in Southern Sudan. Some of the students walk as far as fourteen miles per day to attend classes, yet that is considered “local” for those students.

Please pray for us as we continue to rebuild this historic school, which, to the people of Loka is a beacon of hope for generations to come.

“There comes a moment in every battle when the one under attack realizes that failure to take action will result in death. At that moment, (s)he is propelled into action and all passivity or any sense of detachment from the battle immediately dissipates. Our nation now faces such a desperate hour - an epic clash of kingdoms - and God is calling for the church to engage in battle.” Dr. George Otis

Jesus made the startling statement to His disciples in Matthew 11:12: “The kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. A share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion!”

The facts are that believers around the world are pursuing the kingdom of God with such ardent zeal resulting in incredible, supernatural evidences of transformation. Transformation is the bursting forth of life in the midst of previously dead or dying settings.

God’s presence comes not necessarily through programs but through His Presence. Pursuing Him is the passion of the Christian heart - and when God’s presence is evident all of life takes on new meaning.

– From Larry Cochran of Go International, used with permission.

We are excited to see the overwhelming response to our recent sale promotions! This makes it very clear that our customers are not only interested in great designs, but also in low prices. Our original goal 28 years ago was to offer quality Christian apparel at a price most anyone can afford and we are still dedicated to meeting that goal today.

In Christ,
Richard Humble, President
NewLife Industries, Inc.

P.S. Please look for our “Special of the Month” throughout 2008!