The 2007 edition of the “Adopt-A-Nation” country signs feature many significant upgrades from the original version. Improvements on the front side include: phonetic spelling of country name, bigger & bolder fonts, Internet-sourced maps detailing major cities and regions, global context icons, and the “praying hands” accent. Hebrews 13: 3 (NIV) became the operative scripture, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.” The back side begins at the top with the corresponding national flag and our prayer motto, “The least we can do is the most we can do…PRAY.” Scrolling down the page takes us through a summary country profile detailing historical background, demographic statistics, government facts, geographical data, and political disputes (when applicable).

I would like to acknowledge those who contributed to the 2007 edition of ADOPT’s country signs. L. Craig Schoonmaker, creator of the Fanetik system of spelling reform (www.fanetik.org ) and webmaster of the Simpler Spelling Word of the Day Website (www.geocities.com/sswordday), provided the phonetic spelling included on each of the country signs. The Lilypod Media team designed and formatted the global-context icons appearing at the bottom of the front side of the signs. Audrey Ann Wood expertly chose and matched the country names with the maps( which sounds a lot easier that it was) and added her unique touch to the “look” of the front side. Michelle Lynne Farmakis researched and summarized and formatted the country profile information on the back side. Her extensive labor has to be the Guinness World Record for the most use of computer software “copy ‘n paste” function! The Lord knows how many hours each evening she gave toward the completion of this project. May the Lord Jesus reward her. In addition Michelle demonstrated her eye for crisp and engaging graphics and layout in designing the back page template. Thank you Lilypod, Audrey, and Michelle.

Additional acknowledgement goes to the leadership of Morning Star Christian Fellowship and to the church founder and pastor, James R. Smith, for always giving the green-light to go forward with the project at each stage and impasse, their financial underwriting of the project, inclusion on the church’s website, and most importantly for fulfilling the supreme mission of the “Adopt-A-Nation Prayer Project” …promoting awareness of and prayer for our suffering brothers and sisters in other nations.