World Vision

Hurley International would like to introduce everyone to Samba, a 6-year-old boy from Mauritania, Africa. Samba just started school in his village. Samba's father is an out-of-work teacher, and his mother works in their home, which means Samba usually has to stay with his grandparents in the village. Like many of his American counterparts, he enjoys playing football. The large Islamic country he lives in has had its share of turmoil, last year going through a military coup that has contributed to some of its poverty.

A group of teens at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach got a taste of starvation on Feb. 25. In collaboration with World Vision, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to eradicating poverty, local teens spent 30 hours without food to understand what it's like for millions of people living in hunger all over the world. The 30-hour fast was intended to be a teaching tool and a time for discussion, as well as an opportunity to raise money for the organization. A donation of $30 can feed a child for one month, World Vision said.

Demonstrating a signature streak of vision, Orange County's Women of Vision ? a volunteer ministry of World Vision, the international Christian humanitarian organization ? invited journalist and spokesperson Lisa Ling to address their annual "Faces of Courage" luncheon. Joni Rehnborg, chair of the Orange County group, proudly introduced Ling to the crowd of 500 of the county's most visionary women, and a selection of visionary men. A former co-host of Barbara Walters' daytime show "The View," special contributor to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and host of National Geographic TV's "Explorer" series, Ling ?

For the past two decades, the Rev. John Huffman has developed St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of Newport Beach into one of the nation's largest churches measured by attendance, giving and mission work. Huffman is also chairman of World Vision, the world's largest Christian relief organization. Huffman's word carries a long way: printed versions of his sermons are distributed nationwide and to more than 30 countries across the globe. Huffman once worked for Norman Vincent Peale and also served as spiritual advisor to President Richard Nixon.

“Are you ready to experience Beatrice’s life?” says a woman with a deep voice into the headphones that you’re wearing. You accept the challenge and walk into a big canvas tent. Everything goes down hill from there for 7-year-old Beatrice, now played by you. The voice tells you that your pregnant sister just died in childbirth, leaving you to take care of her child. Your father deserted you at a young age and your mother died of AIDS. More than 800 people came to take a walk in the shoes of a child living in rural Africa at the traveling exhibit that did a five-day stint in the parking lot of the Crossing Church in Costa Mesa.

For the next five days, visitors to the World Vision AIDS Experience Tent at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach can not only learn more about these children — and many others throughout Africa — but virtually step into their lives as they meander through the 20-by-60-foot structure. "We wanted to bring awareness of the issue of AIDS in Africa," said Laurie Jaworski, director of global outreach at the church. "This is a good opportunity for our congregation and the community to understand the devastation caused by AIDS and poverty and so forth."

Before the holidays, I received a letter from Susan Champion of Newport Beach concerning the work of a local organization called Women of Vision. The group, which I have reported on before via the word of Champion who represents the Orange County chapter, is a 10-year-old conference dedicated to helping impoverished women and their children around the nation and the world. Women of Vision is an arm of World Vision, a Christian coalition with missionary as well as humanitarian goals.

Tonight is the annual Clam Bake at the Hyatt Newporter to benefit the Children's Bureau of Southern California, specifically the Orange County chapter. The Children's Bureau is one of the oldest professional children's service agencies in the region dedicated to adoption, foster placement and child abuse prevention. Last week in Newport Beach, event organizers Lana Chandler, Eve Kornyei and Peggy Goldwater Clay invited patrons and donors supporting tonight's Clam Bake to a dinner reception in the private dining room of Villa Nova.

Bryce Alderton Jason Smith wanted to do more than just write a check. The Cleveland Indians scout read about and saw television reports of the devastation from the tsunami that pounded coastlines of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand late last month, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake, and wondered what he could do. After brainstorming and speaking with William "Bo" Hughes, the head of the Professional Baseball...

CARLENE CARTER WALTON Passed away December 6, 2009 at the age of 76. Born July 18, 1933 in Los Angeles, the family soon moved to Burbank, California. Known by her nickname of “Tickey”, she was very active at Burroughs High School where she held many school offices, was selected as a Song Leader and elected Senior Prom Queen. Carlene then attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies from California State University, Northridge.

  One of the most important foundations of the Christian faith is the teaching and practice of charity for the less fortunate. Followers of Jesus Christ resonate their faith in devotion to providing the necessities of life for the poor, the disenfranchised and the outcasts of mainstream society. This belief and this concept of charity remain constant; it's no different today than it was 2,000 years ago. In fact, one might argue that the need to assist the poor today worldwide is far greater than it was in the time of Christ, given the massive population explosion.

A group of teens at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach got a taste of starvation on Feb. 25. In collaboration with World Vision, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to eradicating poverty, local teens spent 30 hours without food to understand what it's like for millions of people living in hunger all over the world. The 30-hour fast was intended to be a teaching tool and a time for discussion, as well as an opportunity to raise money for the organization. A donation of $30 can feed a child for one month, World Vision said.

CARLENE CARTER WALTON Passed away December 6, 2009 at the age of 76. Born July 18, 1933 in Los Angeles, the family soon moved to Burbank, California. Known by her nickname of “Tickey”, she was very active at Burroughs High School where she held many school offices, was selected as a Song Leader and elected Senior Prom Queen. Carlene then attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Religious Studies from California State University, Northridge.

“Are you ready to experience Beatrice’s life?” says a woman with a deep voice into the headphones that you’re wearing. You accept the challenge and walk into a big canvas tent. Everything goes down hill from there for 7-year-old Beatrice, now played by you. The voice tells you that your pregnant sister just died in childbirth, leaving you to take care of her child. Your father deserted you at a young age and your mother died of AIDS. More than 800 people came to take a walk in the shoes of a child living in rural Africa at the traveling exhibit that did a five-day stint in the parking lot of the Crossing Church in Costa Mesa.

For the next five days, visitors to the World Vision AIDS Experience Tent at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach can not only learn more about these children — and many others throughout Africa — but virtually step into their lives as they meander through the 20-by-60-foot structure. "We wanted to bring awareness of the issue of AIDS in Africa," said Laurie Jaworski, director of global outreach at the church. "This is a good opportunity for our congregation and the community to understand the devastation caused by AIDS and poverty and so forth."

Beverly Peters couldn't imagine a more amazing trip after her first visit to Kenya in 1989, when she stayed in an elegant estate just outside Nairobi, traveled in fully equipped Land Rovers and spent much of her time visiting with lions, gorillas and elephants while on a luxury safari. But her second trip a year later proved more gratifying than the first. The Newport Beach resident returned to Kenya to swap reflections on life and family with locals. And a particular conversation with a young woman inside a small, dim hut built of cow dung that served as her home offered Peters a piece of cultural understanding she could never acquire elsewhere.

Hurley International would like to introduce everyone to Samba, a 6-year-old boy from Mauritania, Africa. Samba just started school in his village. Samba's father is an out-of-work teacher, and his mother works in their home, which means Samba usually has to stay with his grandparents in the village. Like many of his American counterparts, he enjoys playing football. The large Islamic country he lives in has had its share of turmoil, last year going through a military coup that has contributed to some of its poverty.

Demonstrating a signature streak of vision, Orange County's Women of Vision ? a volunteer ministry of World Vision, the international Christian humanitarian organization ? invited journalist and spokesperson Lisa Ling to address their annual "Faces of Courage" luncheon. Joni Rehnborg, chair of the Orange County group, proudly introduced Ling to the crowd of 500 of the county's most visionary women, and a selection of visionary men. A former co-host of Barbara Walters' daytime show "The View," special contributor to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and host of National Geographic TV's "Explorer" series, Ling ?

Elia Powers Addressing an audience dominated by women, first lady of California Maria Shriver applauded luncheon attendees Thursday for their fundraising and philanthropy. "You are helping women invest in themselves," Shriver told the group of about 650 people at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort. "I've always been fascinated by women who have courage." Courage was the theme of Shriver's 30-minute speech given at a fundraising event for Women of Vision, a 15-year-old Christian organization that participates in international development and relief projects -- many of which help women and children in distress.

Bryce Alderton Jason Smith wanted to do more than just write a check. The Cleveland Indians scout read about and saw television reports of the devastation from the tsunami that pounded coastlines of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand late last month, killing hundreds of thousands in its wake, and wondered what he could do. After brainstorming and speaking with William "Bo" Hughes, the head of the Professional Baseball...