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U.S. NEWS

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, died yesterday at 100.

Carter, the longest-lived U.S. president, served a single tumultuous term in the Oval Office from 1977-1981, during which he brokered a peace deal in the Mideast through the 1978 Camp David Accords but struggled to combat significant economic issues domestically.

He is perhaps better known for his post-presidency humanitarian work; Carter’s efforts to promote democracy and eradicate disease through The Carter Center earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He also famously taught Sunday School and built homes for Habitat for Humanity until 2019, when his health declined. He passed in his humble Georgia home, worth less than the armored Secret Service vehicles parked outside.

Details of President Carter’s state funeral, which will last five days in Washington, D.C., will be announced shortly.

(We’re also covering this story Thursday in Decaf, The Pour Over for Families. Sign up—for free—here.)

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Verse to consider when your time on earth draws to a close… “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” 
John 14:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Rise in Homelessness

Homelessness in the U.S. hit record levels this year.

A federal report released Friday revealed that over 771,000 people––roughly 23 out of every 10,000 Americans––experienced homelessness in 2024, an 18% increase from 2023 and the highest level since 2007. Homelessness among families with children rose 39%, affecting 150,000 children.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development attributed the rise to inflation, stagnant wages, affordable housing shortages, natural disasters, and an influx of migrants overwhelming shelters in cities like Chicago, New York City, and Denver.

On a more positive note, veteran homelessness dropped 8% to around 32,000. Cities like Dallas (down 16%) and L.A. (down 5%) saw decreases after preventative actions taken in recent years. Review the full report.

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Verse to dwell on when considering everyone made in God’s image… “Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬–9‬ (‭CSB)‬‬ (read full passage)

FROM OUR PARTNERS

Lacking Daily Food

Somalia is caught in the crosshairs of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks.   

East Africa is coming off its worst drought in 40 years, which has left tens of millions of people without access to clean water, killed millions of livestock, and decimated crops. They became very reliant on imported food, and 90% of Somalia’s wheat came from Russia and Ukraine… which stopped coming.

Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and a cholera outbreak is spreading in some areas. The food shortage, coupled with humanitarian aid being focused on Europe and the Middle East, has been the perfect storm and led to an alarming increase in child malnutrition. 

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BE DOERS
We’re asking the TPO Community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those with the most need. 

Every $12 feeds a child for a month. We’re matching the first $2,000; just give through this link.

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?”
James 2:15-16

U.S. NEWS

Varying Visa Views

There’s a fierce debate happening amongst Republicans over a specific area of immigration policy: the H-1B program.

H-1B visas allow U.S. companies to employ highly skilled foreign workers for specialized jobs (think computer scientists, engineers, and physicians). Advocates, including Elon Musk, argue the H-1B program is needed for the tech industry to recruit top engineers and keep America first, comparing the visas to professional sports teams recruiting top players from other countries. 

Critics of the program argue that these visas take jobs away from U.S. citizens, with some even calling for the elimination of the program. 

On Saturday, President-elect Trump appeared to side with Musk, saying he’s “been a believer in H-1B” and has “used it many times” on his properties. It’s not clear if he will pursue any changes to the program when he takes office.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Regardless of your approach to immigration policy, you are an important part of Christ’s mission to demonstrate his love for the world. Reflect his inexhaustible compassion by loving your neighbor humbly and unconditionally.

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  
John 13:34–35 (CSB) (read full passage)

Sunday, 179 people were killed in the deadliest air accident ever in South Korea. A Jeju Air flight arriving from Bangkok skidded off the runway without visible landing gear, slamming into a wall and erupting into flames. Two crew members survived with “medium-to-severe injuries.” Birds and weather are being investigated as possible causes, though experts say they have more questions than answers.
 

President-elect Trump is asking the Supreme Court to hit snooze on the law banning TikTok so he can “negotiate a resolution” that both saves the app and protects national security. The law—passed with sweeping bipartisan support in April—requires the Chinese-owned app to be sold or banned in the U.S. by January 19th, one day before Trump’s inauguration.
 

South Korea is on its third president this month. On Friday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly impeached acting President Han Duck-soo for failing to fill positions in Korea’s Constitutional Court. Han took over after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for his short-lived martial law declaration. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho is the new acting president, tasked with leading amid political turmoil.
 

Uncle Sam is about to hit his credit limit. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned lawmakers Friday that—unless Congress acts—the Treasury Department may need to take “extraordinary measures” as soon as January 14th to prevent the U.S.’s card from being declined. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt, but economists warn the economic impact would be global and devastating.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Best sports photos of 2024…

How I’m Becoming Multilingual in 2025
With Babbel*

In the new year, I’m adding learning a new language to my decluttering resolutions.

Babbel makes this surprisingly doable––unlike the Monica closet I keep avoiding. In just three weeks, they promise I’ll go from “¿Dónde está el baño?” to having actual conversations. Plus, their lessons, games, and podcasts are so fun that I’m sticking with them longer than my kitchen reorganization (lookin’ at you, junk drawer).

And if I’m not chatting away in Spanish in three weeks Babbel will refund my dinero. 

Bonus: It’s 67% off now. So, even if I never master folding fitted sheets, I’ll still have another language in my toolbox. ¡Vamos!

Xan Sibley  | Writer

How We’re Going Deeper in Bible Study
With Bible Gateway Plus*

Feel like you need a seminary degree just to understand your Bible? Bible Gateway Plus is here to help (and save you from endless Google searches). With access to 30 study Bibles, 13+ commentaries, six dictionaries, and so much more, you’ll have everything you need to go deeper––without the student loans. 

Unlock ad-free access to trusted resources that answer your toughest theological questions––wherever you are. 

Try Bible Gateway Plus FREE for 14 days and get 20% off for life on annual plans. That’s just $3.33/month––cheaper than the latte you’ll sip while studying.