Associated Press reports drop in American missions since 9/11
While saying they're not forsaking [Jesus Christ's command to "go and make disciples of all nations,"] some Christian universities and churches are canceling international mission trips out of concern that Americans could become targets," a widely circulating Associated Press report says.

The Southern Baptist International Mission Board has reported a drop of more than 20 percent in volunteers for overseas mission trips, the AP says, but Bill Cashion, the IMB's director of volunteers in missions, says the economy may be as much to blame as fears of terror. "Many of our volunteers are telling us they just do not have the funds," he said.

Still, most of the AP's examples are apparently reductions in short-term missions trips. It's hard to tell to what extent long-term/career missionaries are coming off the field. All the service reports is that "Some have come back to the United States, while others have moved to countries in their regions where they would be less at risk. Still other have said they will not leave, whatever the danger." Statistics would have been very difficult to come by, but it's still unclear if there really is a notable drop in missions. If there's a more detailed study, we'll let you know.

Dutch woman will marry herself
Opponents of same-sex marriage say that once you remove the traditional definition of marriage, any union is up for grabs. They'll love the story of Jennifer Hoes, a Dutch student who will marry herself on May 28. "We live in a 'Me' society. Hence it is logical that one promises to be faithful to oneself," she told the German newsmagazine Der Spiegel.

She told the Dagblad newspaper of the Dutch city of Haarlem, "I want to celebrate ...