Ain't Complicated

Swine Flu Update 2

OK, OK — so somebody decided to defer to the pork industry and call this ailment something else. CO2. 280Z. R2D2. H20. H1N1. Something! 🙄

Anyway, so I was in Sonora (northwest Mexico) for a few days last week and this.

Two of my traveling companions and I were struggling with varying illnesses of varying degrees.

Thankfully, none of us had symptoms that were strictly flu-like.

However, upon returning home, I learned that one of the missionaries we visited had come down with flu-like symptoms. The last I heard, thankfully, she’s doing better.

Thank you for your concerns and your prayers.

Get That Squawfish

OK, so I suppose someone with KISS came up with a new moniker for squawfish: pikeminnow.

But whatever it’s called, as of yesterday Oregon gives you the chance to win a reward of $4 per fish you catch. Learn more about the matter here: 2009 Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward Fishery

In other Oregon news, someone here thinks it would be easier to change the date of a Postal Service price hike than to change the date of Oregon’s election. Maybe so.

What else is happening in Oregon? I don’t know.

Bye.

“There is evidence there will be a major flu epidemic this coming fall. The indication is that we will see a return of the 1918 flu virus that is the most virulent form of the flu. In 1918 a half million Americans died. The projections are that this virus will kill one million Americans in 1976.”

Source: Salon

Another story: A Shot in the Dark: Swine Flu’s Vaccine Lessons
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A14517-2002May26?language=printer

Swine Flu Update

Greetings from the port city of Guaymas in northwest Mexico’s Sonora state.

I’m part of a mission board delegation that’s been in the area for a few days.

Two of us are ailing somewhat, though almost certainly not from swine flu.

So far, this state has no reported cases of swine flu.

That’s good news.

However, I read online that we may have a tighter inspection crossing the border back into the States tomorrow. 😯

I’m posting this, not to provide you with further news on the epidemic, but to personalize it a bit.

And to ask for your prayers.

Please pray for our health, which is ragged for two of us.

And pray for a timely crossing.

Thanks!

Flying Economy

Has it come to this?

That photo is undoctored (except for resizing and sharpening). I took it myself. From where I was sitting in one of the over-the-wing emergency exits.

It seems to give new meaning to flying economy class!

(It’s mighty crowded under there!!)

😯

Swine Kissing

Note to family and friends: I’m avoiding all swine-kissing competitions.

Mexico’s Calderon Declares Emergency Amid Swine Flu Outbreak

Mexican President Felipe Calderon declared an emergency in his country’s swine flu outbreak, giving him powers to order quarantines and suspend public events.

Authorities have canceled school at all levels in Mexico City and the state of Mexico until further notice, and the government has shut most public and government activities in the area. The emergency decree, published today in the state gazette, gives the president authority to take more action.

I’m posting this from the port city of Guaymas. It’s in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. Which is a long ways from Mexico City.

Nevertheless, I’m avoiding all swine-osculating competitions.

But last night I did eat a hot dog in Empalme. It had a bacon strip or two.

😯

Tightening Screws

Iran: Screws Tighten on Christians in Government Crackdown

The threatening environment facing Christians in Iran continues to worsen. That’s saying something, considering Christians there have faced incredibly hostile responses for a long time.

[…]

Open Doors tracks the hatred and distrust of Christianity internationally, assigning rankings to the most dangerous spots for Christians to practice their faith. For the past seven years Iran ranked third behind No. 2 Saudi Arabia and No. 1 North Korea. In January, Iran moved into a tie for second with Saudi Arabia.

[…]

The government is reacting to the growth by expanding the powers of Parliament to effectively persecute Christians. Currently, anyone charged with apostasy goes before a court, where the judge rules on a case-by-case basis. The penalty might be hard labor or prison or simply a fine.

If the recent bill becomes law, however, it would create a new penal code by which conservative Muslim clerics would make the final decision on each case of apostasy. Any Iranian man found guilty would be put to death, while women would receive life imprisonment.

Hat Tip: International Christian Concern