Soulfoodministry.org served people from more than 100 countries in 2001.Website visitors came from every continent except Antarctica. Those who came were energized, empowered, equipped and encouraged in their faith walk and life struggles.

Millions of people now use the internet as their primary resource for spiritual needs. Soulfoodministry.org sought to meet many of those needs throughout 2001.We offered two New Life in Christ series (Part One and part Two), a virtual Ember Day retreat and 30 Days of Labyrinth Love and Wisdom. Thanks to the generosity of a financial benefactor, the entire daily devotional was translated into Spanish.

Soulfoodministry.org volunteers received distinguished international recognition in 2001 for the ongoing translation work and marvelous multilingual prayer ministry from the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C.. In the immediate aftermath of the horrific September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, soulfoodministry.org was recommended by the UFMCC as a resource of healing and spiritual solace around the world (http://soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/AmericaAttacked.htm).

All in all, 2001 was an exciting year. God was clearly at work as people throughout the world found soulfoodministry.org a website of spiritual hospitality, generosity and sanctuary.

So what is ahead for 2002?

Epiphany and Lenten reflections: We are delighted to offer new devotional materials by the Reverend Vera Bourne from Australia. Rev. Bourne is a popular devotional writer and frequent contributor for www.whosoever.org, www.soulfoodministry.org and www.christianlesbians.com websites.

Chinese Bible and homosexuality materials: While there are many traditional Christian materials available in Chinese for the estimated 10 million internet users on mainline China, there are very few resources that represent the growing global voice of Christian faith among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. We are grateful to Encounter Missions International (email: EMIglobal@aol.com) for donating such important affirming resources for our international outreach.

New Life in Christ series parts 3 and 4: I will be writing this series about the Church and her mission, followed by an exploration of spiritual gifts. This series is dedicated to healing the great divide so often found in Christian churches around the world in the ongoing debate and bitter controversy over the inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of faith.

Ongoing translation work: International readers appreciate having spiritual resources available in their primary language.We will continue our ongoing translation work as funds are provided.

Donations will continue to be gratefully received.

Prayers for Peace in 2002: The world changed forever on September 11, 2001. Soulfoodministry.org asks for your daily prayers for world peace in 2002.

It is my prayer for every website visitor to experience the extraordinary kindness of Christ throughout this New Year. May the love of God enfold you wherever you go. God bless you.

The Reverend Dr. Sandra Bochonok
Be empowered for life!