disaster response team from Adventist Community Services (ACS) aided displaced families when a killer storm hit southeast Nebraska on May 22 A tornado ravaged three counties, destroying homes and wiping out the entire town of Hallam, located just 25 miles south of Lincoln, Nebraska's capital.

Marti Cash, the Lincoln area ACS disaster response coordinator, and her team had a warehouse operational by the next afternoon. A local Adventist donated use of a vacated Kmart building as a warehouse and storefront for the collection and distribution of goods to those impacted by the disaster.

The Lincoln community responded to a call for donations, and by the evening of May 25, ACS had more then enough goods to serve the disaster victims. Adventists and community residents worked side by side to sort materials and distribute them to disaster survivors. "At first we had nearly fifty people at one time," said Cash.

The ACS team also opened an emergency distribution center near the disaster site using a fifth-wheel trailer. This allowed volunteers to meet immediate needs of tornado victims and advertise the larger warehouse located in Lincoln.

By agreement with the state of Nebraska, Adventist Community Services provides donation collections and distribution to victims in times of disaster. This lent state support to the Adventist efforts to collect and provide paper goods, non-perishable food, clean-up kits, cleaning supplies and other goods. Between May 23 and June 2, 376 storm victims had received more than 15,000 items and 7,000 pounds of food. More than 5,000 hours had been worked by 164 registered volunteers.

The volunteers were able to mount a quick response because of extensive preparation. Meeting at least six times a year, team members plan and prepare to respond to disasters. When a disaster strikes, "we each know our job and go for it," said Cash. Part of preparation includes networking with other organizations active in times of disaster. "We've had beautiful cooperation with other agencies like the Salvation Army and Red Cross," she explained.

SUDAN: Adventist Churches Destroyed
as Humanitarian and Security Crisis Unfolds
Seventh-day Adventist churches were destroyed in the Darfur region of western Sudan during an escalating humanitarian and security crisis.

"Our members have been displaced. They are without food, clothing, or shelter," reports William Kabi Oliver, a pastor and district leader for the Adventist Church in that area.

In spite of their difficulties and the constant threat to personal security, Oliver says the members are eagerly gathering for worship services.

Paul Yithak, secretary for the Seventh-day Adventist church's regional headquarters in northern Sudan, explains why the situation in Darfur has been excluded from the peace talks currently underway to end decades of civil war between the governing authorities of the North and South: "The two warring parties have signed very important protocols for power sharing," said Yithak. "These agreements are major steps toward lasting peace in Sudan. But we still have the war in Darfur."

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) sent a crisis-assessment team to the region April 24-30. Observations published in its May ATEN bulletin are just as grim: "In general, all internally displaced people are living in miserable conditions, having lost all their belongings and all their livestock except for one or two starved donkeys. Crops and houses have been burned down and agricultural land is inaccessible due to insecurity." ADRA's initial response will be centered on the area of water and sanitation, with the overall goal of improving the health of the people.

Responding to the news from Darfur, Peter Roennfeldt, who is responsible for Global Mission evangelism projects for the Seventh-day Adventist church in the Trans-European region, which includes Sudan, said, "This is an extremely difficult and tragic situation for our people. Of course, we are saddened to hear of the destruction of these church buildings; however, we are even more concerned about the injury and death suffered by the people."
                              --Adventist News Review, Trans-European Division

Voice of Prophecy Singer Bob Edwards Dies
Bob Edwards, 79, first tenor in the King's Heralds quartet at the Voice of Prophecy (VOP) radiobroadcast from 1947-1971, died June 3 at his home in Malibu, California

Born November 18, 1924, in Kokomo, Indiana, Edwards graduated from Maplewood Academy. He received his degree in religion from Emmanuel Missionary College (new Andrews University), Berrien Springs, Michigan. Before joining the VOP, he briefly served as a pastor and singing evangelist in Florida. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1953.

Bob's mother was Josephine Cunnington Edwards, a well-known author and Christian storyteller. He also authored several books, including H.M.S. Richards: A Biography. Before retirement in 1989, Edwards served as a researcher and producer for the daily radio broadcast. Until recently he was a part-time counselor for the VOP Bible correspondence school.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; four children: Dorothy, James, Connie, and David; and several grandchildren. A son, Charles, preceded him in death.

Adventist Encourages U.N. to Remember
Youth in Furthering Human Rights
Adventist young person and member of the United Nations Non-Governmental Youth Committee, Kelly Razzouk, attended a special lecture hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on May 25 at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Razzouk urged the distinguished panel to remember the powerful role youth must play in creating a future where human rights violations will no longer be commonplace.

"Encouraging the young minds of today to believe in human rights and the importance of safeguarding them may be the single greatest thing we can do for our world," she said.

The lecture entitled "Who Is Afraid of Human Rights?" was attended by diplomats and ambassadors from around the world.

Featured speakers for the event included Her Excellency Najat Al-Hajjaji, chairperson of the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and the permanent representative of Libya to the United Nations in Geneva, and William Schulz, executive director of Amnesty International.

Responding to Razzouk's comment, Hajjaji agreed that education was vital. "Many are not aware these rights are due them," she said.

The Adventist Church has long advocated the safeguarding of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion as outlined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kelly Razzouk had completed an internship with the U.N. Liaison Office of the General Conference, and was interning as an adviser at a U.N. Mission in New York City when this release was written.

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