Request ...

I got this Facebook message from a friend from home (She goes to West Virginia Wesleyan Univ. which is near where the recent mining tragedy took place):

Hey, keep this community down here in your prayers please. The mining tragedy took place 10 mins outside of Buckhannon, so that is greatly affecting everyone here. Also, now there’s this group that's taking advantage of the tragedy by protesting. They're this group from Kansas who see themselves as the "master race." They started out hating just gays, but now it’s progressed to hating Jews, and anything or anyone who isn’t a part of their group. People say they have even their children protesting with signs saying "God hates blacks" and "God hates fags." Also, many of them are disbarred lawyers, and they are very skilled at insulting people without breaking any laws. They get their money by suing people who speak out against them by claiming harassment. There is no outlaw against them because they have freedom of speech and they are too smart judicial-wise for anyone to be able to oppose them. The big memorial service for the miners is in our chapel this Sunday, and while these protesters aren’t permitted on campus, the surrounding streets of which they have access are close enough. A lot of security precautions have been taken, however, these now include snipers on the roofs of some of our buildings. It’s bad enough that these families are hurting from just losing loved ones. Pray that this service stays focused on them, and that no more tragedies take place.

I did some research about the protest and found these three articles in the town's paper:

Kansas group to picket memorial service

Hate group changes plans, opposition offers tips for community

Updated: Sunday service to begin at 2 p.m.

I then found the group's website and they are extremely shady ... and evil:

WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth. We display large, colorful signs containing Bible words and sentiments, including: GOD HATES FAGS, FAGS HATE GOD, AIDS CURES FAGS, THANK GOD FOR AIDS, FAGS BURN IN HELL, GOD IS NOT MOCKED, FAGS ARE NATURE FREAKS, GOD GAVE FAGS UP, NO SPECIAL LAWS FOR FAGS, FAGS DOOM NATIONS, etc.

I do not support homosexuality, but no one deserves this. It is uncharitable towards the families of the miners and towards homosexual people. I would say that it is a work of the Devil. Besides being a completely false representation of Christianity, it seems like all these protesters want to do is cause trouble so they can blame others.

So, pray ... a lot. This was all news to me. It'll be a rough and volatile situation; this community has had one tragedy and was showered with media coverage. Now all the media is gone. It might be useful for the MSM to catch on to this ... it would cause enough outrage that they wouldn't get near the place.

Pray!