Some Things to Do

1) Myanmar:
Many eyes have been on Myanmar these past couple of weeks. Sadly we all knew it was a matter of time before the headline would look like this one from yesterday:

Troops take back control in Myanmar (AP)
YANGON, Myanmar - Soldiers and police took control of the streets Friday, firing warning shots and tear gas to scatter the few pro-democracy protesters who ventured out as Myanmar's military junta sealed off Buddhist monasteries and cut public Internet access.

A young person I used to have as a camper is currently there as an English teacher. I can't imagine what that must be like. In any case, here's something we might be able to do. Street Prophets had a post yesterday with some thoughts and links. One was this email they received:

As you may have heard, Myanmar's government has cut off the nation's internet access, silencing bloggers there who are getting the word out about the government's continuing brutality against peaceful protestors.

So how about this: email the government's US embassy at info@mewashingtondc.com and webmaster@mewashingtondc.com and demand that they stop obstructing their citizens' access to the internet. Most importantly, tell everyone you know to do the same, and sound the call on your blogs. Let's put our rights and our bandwidth to good use!

They also had a link to a place to sign a petition. Here's the link. My friend Greg also mentions the Buddhist Peace Fellowship's website as a place to go for information. Whatever you do, pray!

2) Miskito Coast of Nicaragua:
It's been a number of weeks now since Hurricane Felix wrought considerable devastation to the Miskito Coast of Northeastern Nicaragua. Another friend of mine, Chuck, has an excellent blog he set up to get information out. It's called Nicaragua- Atlantic Coast Hurricane Relief. There are some in-depth damage reports as well as information that doesn't tend to make our news up here in the US. Here's the link for the blog. Here's what Chuck wrote about how to help:

In my opinion, if you want to help, channel your support through the Board of World Mission of the Moravian Church which has very strong ties with the Miskito people throughout the affected region in Nicaragua from Bilwi (formerly known as Puerto Cabezas) to the Rio Coco river on the Honduran border. The Nicaraguan Moravian Church's social development organization is called IDSIM. Here's a link to more about IDSIM's work on the Atlantic Coast. The Board of World Mission asks that all donations be designated for The Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) Fund at PO Box 1245, Bethlehem PA 18016-1245. (The Indian Law Resource Center also recommends the Board of World Mission.) See the appeal letter by clicking here.

I would wholeheartedly agree. And again, don't forget to pray.