A Ramadan Story Of Two Faiths Bound In Friendship

It's Ramadan, the month-long holiday when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk as a way to cleanse the soul and reflect on their relationship with God. The faithful usually flock to their local mosques for prayer during the holiday, but last year, the Muslims of Cordova, Tenn., just outside Memphis, didn't have a place to go.

That's when Pastor Steve Stone put an unusual sign outside his church."It said, 'Welcome to the neighborhood, Memphis Islamic Center,'" he laughs. "It's been seen all over the world, now."

Stone invited the Muslim community to celebrate their holiday inside his church while their own cultural center was under construction nearby. It was the beginning of an unusual alliance that's still strong a year later.

To read the full story, please go to: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/21/139831309/a-ramadan-story-of-two-faiths-bound-in-friendship

You can also listen to the interview by clicking on "Listen to the Story" or by going to: http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=139831309&m=139836422

Wounded Warrior Gets Hot New Set Of Wheels

LONG BEACH — Staff Sergeant Guillermo Tejeda lost both his legs to an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in Afghanistan.Driving, it would seem, would be more than just a bit of a challenge. Not for some local students — also veterans — who wanted to find a way to honor a hero. So, they designed and customized a hot Camaro (make that very hot! red and black!) so Tejada could drive using hand controls.

Tejeda had been confined to a wheelchair since he was wounded. But now he’s got some wheels that can really move. The four students (two Marines, one Navy vet and an Army vet) on the project, all are students, or graduates, of Wyotech in Long Beach.

When he first saw his souped-up car, Tejeda acknowledges that he was moved to tears.
Marine veteran Tom Stein who works with Wyotech explains, Tejada paid a huge price for his country, so the school and the Semper Fi Fund, have no problem giving back to him.

Tejada will use that car to get around … and train for more Marine Corps work. He’s already served 12 years but wants to serve for at least eight more.

To watch the video, please go to: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/08/14/wounded-warrior-gets-hot-new-set-of-wheels/?hpt=us_bn7

Source: CBS, LA

Forgiveness

In 2008 former freelance journalist Amanda Lindhout traveled to Somalia to research a story on the millions of people affected by two decades of war, drought and famine. Kidnapped by teenage criminals outside of the capital city, Mogadishu, Lindhout spent 15 months enduring unimaginable hardships as a hostage in one of the world's poorest countries. “I’ve been kept in a dark, windowless room in chains, without any clean drinking water and little or no food. I've been very sick for months without any medicine." she said.
15 months after the kidnapping, Lindhout's kidnappers released her. A ransom was paid with money raised through friends, families, and other supporters from Canada and Australia. After suffering the ordeal she went through when she was held as a captive she had no plans to return to Somalia but a visit to a Somali refugee camp inside Kenya changed her mind. The vision of malnourished children and women motivated her to work on her new project to deliver food aid to Somalia. Only four months after returning home, Lindhout founded the Global Enrichment Foundation and established the Somali Women's Scholarship Program to ignite female leadership in Somalia through university education. Her travels to over 50 countries - including Iraq and Afghanistan - have given Lindhout a unique and nuanced understanding of the consequences of the depravations caused by war and the subsequent effects on women. She is passionate about sharing her message of forgiveness and about creating awareness of the opportunities each individual has to create sustainable change in the world.

Good Samaritan Saves Officer Under Attack

ATLANTA -- An Atlanta police officer was hurt when she was attacked by a man in the middle of the street, officials said. Police were called to Martin Luther King Drive near Philips Arena. Investigators said Officer Navada Stucking was driving toward police headquarters when the man started kicking her police car.

"He appeared to be demented," said Capt. Barry Shaw. "She pepper sprayed him, and it didn't have any effect on the guy at all."

Michael Reed was driving his truck on Techwood Drive, saw the attack and decided to help. "He just kept hitting her in the head," said Reed "He grabbed her hair and I had already got out of the vehicle when he grabbed her. By the time I got there, he had beat her down to the ground. That's when I tackled him and I held him," Reed said.

Stucking was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with several bruises, police said. Reed suffered a few cuts on his hands.

"We were so fortunate to have this man on the scene. He was a blessing, a blessing in disguise," Shaw told Coleman.

Police detained the suspect, Efrem Thurmond, on the side of the road. Officers repeatedly doused the man with water while they tended to the officer in near 100-degree temperatures. He was taken to the hospital for a mental evaluation.

Swim lessons key for young lifesaver

LEBANON, Ind. (WISH) - An 8-year-old Lebanon boy who jumped into a pool to save his 2-year-old sister is spreading the message that swimming lessons save lives.The young hero, Christopher Mathews, talked Tuesday with 24-Hour News 8 reporter Daniel Miller. He’s your typical third-grader who loves being in the water.

"I really like swimming," he said.Christoper was in his back yard celebrating after a party. But the excitement changed to worry when his sister Kenslei went missing.

The 2-year-old girl was at the bottom of the family's swimming pool. Christopher said his was a simple choice: "I looked in the pool, and I saw her, and I jumped in and saved her." Christopher’s quick thinking likely saved his little sister’s life.

"When the first crew got here,” Lebanon Fire Department Lt. Tim Davis said, “the little girl was breathing on her own.”

Christopher received a certificate of achievement from the Lebanon Fire Department for saving his sister’s life.

To read the full story, please go to: http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/north_central/swim-lessons-key-for-young-lifesaver?hpt=us_bn6

A Brave Child

Whatever else he did, 10-year-old Tom Phillips knew he wasn't allowed to drive the tractor at his family farm in Abergavenny, in Southern Wales. But when he saw his father under attack from 2,000 pound bull, he figured it was time to break the rules.
Tom Started up the tractor and used it to nudge the angry beast away.

His father was rushed to the hospital, and is recovering from 10 broken ribs. "I was a bit worried about driving the tractor," Tom said, "but I just did what I had to do. I'm glad my dad is going to be all right."

Source: The Week magazine

12-year-old receives wheelchair after outpour of support

12-year-old Olivia Golembiewski is a happy girl again thanks to a wheelchair and a concerned neighbor. Olivia has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and needs a wheelchair to get around school.

This morning, her father put her specially made chair outside their Wissonoming home. Just a few minutes passed before he carried his daughter out to catch the school bus and the chair was gone.

Seconds after Action News at 6 aired Olivia's story, generous viewers called in offering to donate wheelchairs. One of them, Joan Heim, lives a few houses away from Olivia. She had a spare wheelchair she couldn't wait to give to the girl.

As Action News was interviewing Olivia's father Wednesday night, an employee of a nearby business, Unlimited Total Home Improvements, showed up with a $300 check to help the family.

"It's a shame, I drive by here every day and I see the hardship; it's beautiful, the inspiration people are doing," Richard Young of Unlimited Total Home Improvements said.

Because of the outpouring of support, Olivia will be able to attend her brother's high school graduation tomorrow.

To read the full story, please go to: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8192793&hpt=us_bn4

Source: 6abc.com