Have you been keeping up with the news from Myanmar (also known as Burma)? What are your thoughts about the military regime's response to the Cyclone Nargis disaster, or lack thereof? How do you think we as individuals can help? The following is a post by Ash Barker [Urban Neighbours of Hope, Bangkok] on Phil Baker's blog:

Could I ask for your urgent prayers and action for Burma today? Yesterday, I met with Burmese friends here in Bangkok to get the latest news on the Cyclone Nargis disaster and to ask how UNOH could best help with the relief effort. Dr San Aung, Maung Maung and Zin Linn are part of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). Led by elected Burmese MPs from the National League for Democracy (NLD), this is the peak body of Burmese leaders working for democracy.

As I heard their tragic news and saw the latest photos I felt a wave of nausea hit me. The death toll is now over 100,000 people, but over 2 million survivors are still homeless, living in makeshift camps and monasteries. Many survivors have not eaten food or drunk water for a week. Children are being found alive among their parents' dead bodies. Water-born diseases are now starting to gain momentum, taking their deathly toll. Yet, the junta are still saying 'Only the Burmese can help; we don't need foreigners'. They even went ahead with a constitutional referendum to enshrine military power on Saturday.

I have been deeply moved by the situation in Myanmar, watching so many people unable to help themselves and frustrated by the military junta refusing any outside help and seemingly unconcerned by the plight of its people [CNN]. But even though the situation may appear overwhelming, I AM IN A POSITION TO ACT. We all are. We can give money to aid organizations who are doing everything they can to get into the country. This is, as a member of the Junky Car Club, why I choose to live with less so I can give more at times like this. We're not into promoting any particular organization, but here are some agencies that are working to provide emergency relief in Myanmar:

U.S.-based organizations

International Rescue Committee
International Medical Corps
Save the Children
World Vision
ADRA International
Other U.S.-based charities

Global organizations

International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies
World Food Programme
UNICEF
UN Refugee Agency
CARE International
The Salvation Army

So what are your thoughts? What are you doing? We'd love to hear from you.

Attendees at the recent Q Conference in New York were asked a number of survey questions: including one from the Junky Car Club! We wanted to know what kinds of cars are driven by these innovators, church leaders, social entrepreneurs and cultural leaders; and how many of them are paid off.

71% of the people who answered the survey question have PAID OFF their cars in full.

Here's a sample of the cars they drive in no particular order:

1998 Landrover Discovery 2005 Jeep Cherokee 1995 Toyota Camery 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 Ford F-150 2007 Volkswagen Jetta 1999 Lexus 1997 Nissan Maxima 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan 1999 Jeep Cherokee 2008 Cadillac DTS 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2007 Volvo S40 2004 Yukon 2001 Lexus GS300 2004 Honda Civic 1993 Honda Accord 2007 Nissan Altima 2004 Ford F-150 2004 Ford Expedition 2002 Honda Civic 2005 Chevy Tahoe 2008 Toyota Highlander 2001 VW Oassat 1997 Saturn SL-1 1966 VW Beetle 2003 Chevy Monte Carlo 2007 Jeep Wrangler 1997 Lexus Es 300 1999 Honda Civic 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 1998 Subaru Legacy Sedan 1991 Jeep Cherokee 2002 Saab 1991 Volvo 740 2004 VW Tourag 2001 hyundai accent 2007 Chevy Tahoee 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1998 Acura TL 2003 Honda Civic 1995 BMW 318 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid 2004 Ford Escape 2000 Toyota Sienna 2005 Hyundai Elantra 1987 Honda Accord 1999 Dodge Dakota 1998 Toyota Avalon 1993 Toyota Camry 1996 Honda CRV 2007 Toyota Camry 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage 2000 Lexus RX 2007 Toyota Tacoma 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1997 Ford Explorer 2001 Cheverolet Suburban 2006 Chrysler 300 2004 Honda CRV 2008 Nissan Altima 2002 Nissan XTerra 2000 Nissan Altima 1995 Honda Accord 2000 Saturn SL1 1997 Toyota Camry 1994 Mercury Villager 2006 Ford Territory 2005 Scion TC 1999 Ford Focus 2007 Vespa Granturismo 1997 Ford Taurus 1994 BMW 540i 1994 Mercury Villager 1992 Ford Taurus 2008 Lexus GS350 2007 Land Rover LR3 2005 Acura TL 1999 Subaru Forrester 2000 Infiniti I-30 2003 Ford Explorer 2007 Toyota Avalon 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo 2007 Honda Ridgeline 2005 Toyota Camry 2008 Ford Expedition 2006 Mini Cooper S 2007 Jeep Wrangler 2005 Ford Territory 1999 Honda Accord 1998 Ford Escort 2004 Subaru Forrester 1997 Nissan Altima 2003 Saturn Ion 1998 Olds Cutlass 1999 Pontiac Grand Am 1997 Ford Expedition 2000 Nissan Frontier 2000 Ford Taurus 2004 Nissan XTerra 1998 Chevy Malibu 2006 Infiniti G35 2007 Saturn Ion 2008 Mercury Marquis 1994 Honda Accord 2008 Hyundai Sonata 1965 Ford Mustang 1995 Chevy 4x4 truck 1999 Land Rover Discovery 2002 Toyota Highlander 1999 Saturn SL 2003 Honda Element 2005 Chevy Cobalt 2008 Lincoln Mkx 2001 Subaru Legacy 2003 Toyota 4-Runner 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid 1990 Toyota Avalon 1998 Honda Civic 2006 VW Jetta 1991 Toyota Tercel 2006 Chevy Impala 2004 Ford Explorer 2001 Ford Explorer 1992 Honda Accord 2007 Toyota Camry 2004 Pontiac GrandAm 2004 Honda Element 2005 BMW X5 2002 Saturn L200 2003 Toyota Tundra 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2003 Honda CRV 2008 Sebring Convertible 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt 2007 MINI Cooper S 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport 1998 Dodge Ram 2002 Ford Explorer 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse 1997 Land Rover Discovery 2006 Hyundai Azera 2001 Mazda Miata 1997 Ford F150 2004 Lexus ES 2002 Toyota Corolla 2004 Honda Element 2007 Honda Accord 1991 Volvo 240 2007 Chevy Avalanch 2007 Nissan Frontier 1993 Ford Exploerer 2002 Chevy Astro 1995 Ford Ranger 1993 Cobra Mustang 1993 Ford Lightning 2004 Nissan Xterra 1998 Honda Civic 2006 Saab 9-3 2003 Honda Element 1999 BMW 528i 2004 Toyota Sienna 2003 Dodge Dakota 1996 Toyota Corolla 2003 Toyota Tundra 2006 Scion XB 1999 Ford Focus 2001 GMC Yukon 2004 Toyota Rav 4 1995 Chevy SUV 2004 Volvo S40 1999 Lexus GS350 2007 Nissan Maxima 2001 Mercury Sable 1995 Ford Escort 2001 Toyota 4Runner 2001 Honda Pilot 1998 Olds Cutlas 2000 Mercedes C230 1998 Ford Expedition 1996 Mazda Miata 1995 Ford Ranger 1997 Honda CRV 1999 Toyota 4-Runner 1998 Jeep Cherokee 2007 Ford Fusion 2004 Jeep Wrangler 1997 Ford Explorer 2002 Subaru Outback 2008 Toyota Prius 2002 Toyota Highlander 2002 Infiniti G20 2002 Honda Civic 1998 Ford Explorer 2007 Acura TSX 1992 Honda Civic 2005 Mazda 3 2007 Toyota Corolla S