ASA/CSCA Newsletter

Recommended Books

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"As we enter the next millennium, many countries in the Developing World (the South) continue to endure hardships: economical, medical, political, and spiritual.

Economic and scientific development issues are hardly considered by the populace when they are hungry, oppressed, or concerned about just plain survival.

Science, in western thinking, is the answer to all ills. Yet, in the South, science has its drawbacks of high cost, delayed applications, small success rate, low understanding or popularity, and limited utility.

Nevertheless, how do Christians in science address the biblical admonition of "loving our neighbors as ourselves"? If developing countries in the South can benefit from scientific and technological development, what is the Christian's role?

Should one impose western ways and thinking into that culture or seek humanitarian ways of benefiting such people?

Should the Christian in science equate "science and technology transfer" as a "cup of water" to be given in Jesus' name?

Or, as in western thinking, does everything have to be a "win-win" situation?"

Ken Dormer
George Kinoti

The opportunity for Christian service for those with backgrounds in science related fields has greatly expanded in recent decades. Traditionally, physicians, dentists and nurses have served in many capacities both on a short term or career basis. The "tent maker" has used his or her skills to enter areas where traditional missions are forbidden. Others have served in educational institutions. More recently, a number of organizations have emerged which seek to minister in non-traditional ways.

We offer this page in the hope that readers of any age or station in life might be made aware of opportunities for service that call on their backgrounds in science and technology. We encourage you to tell us of additional organizations or ways in which people may serve. (jwh)

Walter Bradley with Indonesian coconut farmers

The American Association for the Advancement of Science, a premier professional organization, has a motto of “Advancing science, serving society.” Walter Bradley, a Baylor University professor and ASA fellow, has realized this goal in a striking way—with coconuts.

Until recently, coconut husks have been discarded as agricultural waste, but Walter’s research team discovered their unique value. The husk fibers (called coir) exhibit physical properties suitable for numerous industrial applications. According to Walter, “They are the only natural fibers that come directly from a fruit. Their purpose in nature is to protect coconuts from falls of 60 to 80 feet. They provide high impact resistance because they are unusually stretchable—their ductility is ~25%, compared to 2% in most natural fibers. ...Full Story

The Environment and Poverty in Haiti

BY RICHARD BLINNE, ON JANUARY 22ND, 2010

Haiti This picture illustrates the extreme deforestation of Haiti. You can literally see the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic from space. How and why did this happen and what are its effects? Haiti is one of the most deforested countries in the World with only 2% forrestation. The reason why it’s that way is because the trees have been cut down for fuel and specifically to make charcoal because it’s one of the few commodities that can be sold to get the essentials of life. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. full story

Ken Funk, "Thinking Critically and Christianly About Technology," PSCF 59 (September 2007): 201.

To think critically and Christianly about technology is to engage in a process of careful judgment and evaluation of it using Christian principles. The principles proposed here are that technology ought to facilitate (1) communion with God, (2) preservation of human life and improvement of human welfare, and (3) preservation and protection of the natural world.

Kenell J. Touryan, Water–The Defining Crisis for the Developing World | Audio | A presentation at the ASA/CIS Meeting, Edinburgh 2007. 30 min.

Harmon Parker and William Jordan, "Building Pedestrian Bridges to a Better Future: Bridging the Gap—Africa" Audio | A presentation at the ASA/CIS Meeting, Edinburgh 2007. 24 min.

The American home of an international conservation organization working to show God's love for all creation. As an international Christian conservation organization working in 20 countries on six continents to care for God's creation, A Rocha has many faces. Here in the United States, we are a nonprofit, nationwide network mobilizing communities to steward the Earth through educational programs and hands-on projects--helping to restore the environment upon which people, plants and animals all depend. Learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

.Plant With a Purpose

For us, the breakthrough came when we saw first-hand the connection between poverty and the environment. Many people think of poverty and the environment as separate issues, but in fact they are hugely interdependent. Most of the world’s poor are rural poor. Many are subsistence farmers, completely dependent on their environment for survival. But as a result of widespread deforestation, the land isn’t providing like it used to.

Land that once bore bountiful crops that could be sold or eaten, isn't producing. Streams that used to provide water to drink, now run dry. Out of desperation, the poor cut down more trees to sell as firewood, even though doing so means further destroying their one chance of survival.

By reversing deforestation, Plant With Purpose helps the poor restore productivity to their land to create economic opportunity out of environmental restoration. Since 1984 we have helped thousands of people in nearly 250 villages lift themselves out of poverty through our holistic approach to sustainable development.

ECHO Founded by ASA fellow, Dr. Martin Price is a non-profit, Christian organization dedicated to the fight against world hunger. ECHO's Internet resources are designed not only to tell you about our organization, but also to access our resources and services for small farm tropical agriculture from around the globe. Our most popular publications are on-line here for quick access at any time. Our primary mandate is to strengthen the ministries of missionaries and national churches as they assist small farmers or urban gardeners in the third world. We gladly offer assistance to others doing similar work, such as Peace Corps volunteers and development workers.

"Seeds, sustainable agriculture, helping people feed themselves, seed-saving, community involvement, holistic ministry…These are the words that can be used to describe Hope Seeds. However, they are incomplete descriptions. First and foremost, Hope Seeds is a Christian organization, motivated to do these works because of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. The people active in the operations of Hope Seeds work hard to provide the many services mentioned in the first sentence, partnering with missionaries, mission teams, relief agencies, and national self-help groups in many developing nations."
Mike Mueller - CEO and founder
Dr. George W. Crosby - board member, ASA member.

Science with a Mission, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing diagnostics for developing countries. In these countries, many people never see the inside of a hospital or clinic. As a result, people often die from preventable diseases due to not being diagnosed. Science with a Mission, Inc. is using a technology, called immunoassays, to test for diseases. There are many advantages to immunoassays. They can be designed to not require electricity or any equipment; they give results rapidly; and they are amenable to mass screenings. Combining scientific knowledge with Christian compassion we strive to meet the medical needs of God's people worldwide.

ASA/CSCA Newsletter

How coconuts can combat poverty

The Environment and Poverty in Haiti

RENEWAL

SYMPOSIUM FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS

CREATION CARE STUDY PROGRAM (CCSP)

SYMPOSIUM ON THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT COMING SUMMER 2012

SYMPOSIUM ON FOOD COMING 2012!