On Friday 2 December 2011 at 7pm we will be holding a launch celebration at 45 Melville Street, Hobart. Save the date. More info to follow very soon. Save the date and RSVP via this Facebook page.

For all you folk on the mainland (that’s what we Tasmanians call you!), events are being planned for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. More on that very soon.

In the coming weeks a launch committee will be created and effort will be put into confirming a suitable venue and inviting people. This launch will be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the current issues and needs for the people in DR Congo.

Watch this space for further news about the upcoming launch, and please contact us if you have any ideas or if you want to support the launch event in some way.

In the nearby Pacific, the massive earthquake sent shockwaves along the ocean floor. A ten-metre wall of water began to roll towards the cities, ports and beaches of Japan’s north island. The world watched as this tsunami swallowed everything in its path: cars, houses, seawalls. The frightening power of the enraged waters has had devastating results.

Many thousands of people have died, or are missing – feared dead. And worse still, tow of Japan’s nuclear reactors have suffered damage. Explosion of at least one reactor has been confirmed. Hundreds of thousands of people were immediately evacuated. The potential carnage from such ‘fallout’, in a country that two generations ago endured the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, is galling.

You’ve probably seen pictures of this disaster unfold on your TV. Maybe you’ve read about it online…

I wonder what are you thinking? What questions are going through your mind?

It’s sickening – how could I/would I cope? Why are there so many ‘natural disasters’ happening at the moment? What is happening to the world?…

Maybe you’re asking – Where’s God in all of this?

Good question. Where is God in all of this?

We can’t pretend to have all the answers. We can’t pretend we know exactly what God was thinking when the quake hit. We don’t know with full certainty how He feels… But we have some idea.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). God sent Jesus to put God’s love into action – to save the world. To rescue you and to rescue me.

Did God cause Japan’s earthquake? Did He send the rains and floods into Queensland? Did He shake Christchurch?…

I doubt it somehow. I think God is with those who are suffering. I think He cares far more than we do – He made us all. We’re all precious to Him…

So what should WE do? What can we say about it?

God is LOVE – we know that. But we don’t know all the answers, and that’s ok. Frustrating, angering even, but living with some mystery is a real part of a real life.

What can we do?

Japan’s Salvation Army have decided to act – heading straight into the centre of the chaos and pain. “We combat natural disasters with acts of God”, they said in this article.

Combating natural disasters with acts of God. Acts of compassion; acts of mercy.

Our heart goes out to the people of Japan at this time. And we should pray for them. We should ask for God’s mercy and compassion to be upon them and around them. Powerful ways to respond…

But can you do more? How can you respond today with an “act of GOD” to help those suffering around you?…

Our second goal was to raise money for Manly-Manado, so the book could also directly benefit the people of Manado.

To date we have shipped 670 books. Of those books, we have given over 200 books to Compassion as a gift. Every book that they sell will be money raised that will help them continue to do the good work they do. Approx. 60 books remain in stock with our sales partners around Australia.

There are less than 300 copies of Love in Action left in stock. We do not plan to print a second run.

The 300 remaining books will raise $12,000 for Manly-Manado. 100% of the sales of these 300 copies will be given to Manly-Mando and to support the community partnership and help the people of Manado.

Will you help move the remaining copies of Love in Action that we have on hand? We would love to find a good home for them. Perhaps you have a friend or relative who has a birthday coming up? Maybe you’re a business owner and would like to help share some good news with your business partners?

Love in Action is available today from Humphreys Newsagents, Koorong, The Bible Society and directly from Manly-Manado.

Thank you for your support.

Books

With Christmas not far around the corner you’ll be thinking about what gift to give to your friends and loved ones. Why not give a copy of Love in Action, and support a great cause.

If you’re a business owner why not consider purchasing Love in Action to give to your clients as a corporate gift. We’ll even give you free shipping and 10% off when you purchase 50 or more copies.

Our shop is open 24 hours

The books were so well packed that it took some effort to get them out, but the effort was well worth the wait. The smell is something that hit me first. The freshly dried inks from the press. Then came the emotions. Joy and relief. The many hours of proof reading, of retouching to get the look we were after, of researching other book styles for ideas, of early mornings to make it on location to capture the various shots – all effort rewarded. The book looks fantastic. I can’t wait for you to see it, so here is a sneak peek.     See you on Friday 31 July.

It is now May 2009 and we are waiting for the first production of books to be shipped. I heard today that the proofs would arrive tomorrow. Another awesome step along this adventure.

Written by Stuart Harris