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Story by Patricia Maxwell Robertson

Christian Record Services, Inc. celebrates 120 years of ministry to the blind in 2019. “With the Lord’s guidance, it is the members, donors, volunteers, and employees who have made Christian Record impactful all of these years,” said Diane Thurber, president of Christian Record. “To all of you, we say a hearty ‘thank you.’ And we invite those who are just now learning about who we are and what we do to join our community. You'll be in great company!”

Christian Record’s Annual Day of Giving promotion is Sabbath, April 13, 2019, and it is the emphasis for the World Budget offering.

Desmond T. Doss in Okinawa, Japan. Photo courtesy of the Desmond Doss CouncilStory by John Bradshaw

More than 70 years ago an unlikely hero saved the lives of dozens of American soldiers during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Now his story is about to explode onto movie screens all over the world (U.S. release scheduled for Nov. 4); and the international press are already hailing “Hacksaw Ridge” as a potential Oscar winner.

The film tells the story of Corporal Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist combat medic who single-handedly rescued 75 soldiers during the battle of Okinawa, in the midst of a hail of enemy gunfire. As a result of his bravery, Desmond Doss was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military honor.

While Doss’ story has been told many times, Hacksaw Ridge is the first feature film to recount his remarkable heroism. The movie is directed by Hollywood heavyweight Mel Gibson, who having fallen foul of Hollywood and the media on numerous occasions, may finally have found redemption, according to critics. David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter has called the film a “forceful comeback.” Hacksaw Ridge received a 10-minute standing ovation following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Story by Jessica Duffy

ADRA is launching a month-­long campaign  in support of refugees, beginning on May  30.  Through this campaign, ADRA will join other non-­profit organizations around the  world in showing support for refugees in the lead up to World Refugee Day June  20.  The campaign will also complement World Refugee Day Sabbath on June 18.    

In addition to showing ADRA’s support for refugees, the campaign aims to engage the  public in an open dialogue,  providing a better understanding of refugees,  and  challenging some of the prejudices and misinformation which surrounds the topic.    

Since refugees began arriving in Europe in unprecedented numbers in 2015, ADRA has been active in seven Eastern European countries, helping over 120,000  refugees.  Their dedicated staff and volunteers provided essential items including  food, winter clothing, and hygiene kits, as  well as  services such as transport,  information and translation services,  psychosocial support, and charging stations.   

The closure of European borders in March 2016 has left around 50,000 refugees  stranded in Greece. ADRA has established a presence in Greece and is responding  to some of the immediate needs of the camps in  the country’s north. The overall  project goal is the improved living conditions fo  vulnerable refugees and migrants.