As I travel and speak around the country, I continue to be humbled by the impact my book is having on individuals and churches. So many people have shared with me the difference it has made in their lives—some of them even quitting jobs and going into the mission field, others becoming engaged in a local ministry in a new and deeper way. One man even told me he had given my book to his da­­­d, a tough-minded CEO who was skeptical about Christianity, and it has enabled them to open a new dialogue about faith.

Whole churches are reading the book together or in small groups and then taking steps to go deeper in their commitment to justice and compassion. Just this past Sunday, I was touched when a mentally challenged woman came up to me after I had preached and handed me $1 to help feed hungry children—the “widow’s mite” in action! I believe that that God is using the book to penetrate the hearts of His people in ways I could never have predicted.

That’s why I’m excited about the “new and improved” paperback version of The Hole in Our Gospel coming soon to a store near you next week. In addition to the budget-friendly price and lighter heft (better for beach reading), there are 48 pages of brand-new content in response to the most frequent questions asked by readers. Here’s what’s new:

1. Photos. See many of the places I’ve been, some of the people I write about, my five kids—and what Reneé and I looked like in our college-sweetheart days.

2. Q&A with Reneé. Finally, her side of the story: What’s it really like to put up with me? Actually, people often ask me what Reneé thinks about this book, about the changes in our lives since we came to World Vision, and what she’s passionate about. So here it is, in her own words.

3. Ways to act on your faith. This is in response to the biggest question I’ve heard from readers: “What do I do now?” If my book touched off a desire in you to act, there are many things you can do—large and small, today or in the future—to answer God’s call. I’ve devoted 13 pages to ideas for helping the poor in a variety of ways, including learning, praying, and speaking out.

4. Can poverty be defeated? Well, it’s not a simple answer—nor is the solution simple. But I speak to how World Vision fights this age-old adversary and why we believe we’re winning the battle.

5. Scriptural index. How many times do I reference Luke chapter 4 or Matthew 25? Also, a new general index helps you quickly find topics (education, water, HIV and AIDS, etc.) and notable names like Jimmy Carter, Bill Hybels, or Bono.

I’m deeply grateful that this new edition will allow an even larger audience to ponder the question, “What does God expect of me?”—and then take a step to join the revolution.

I don’t like mosquitoes. Who does? I hear their buzz. I swat them away. I get bitten. I scratch. But in the end, I don’t like mosquitoes because I’m mildly annoyed by them, rather than because their bite is a matter of life and death.

For millions of children around the world, a mosquito is the deadliest predator around. The malaria-causing parasite that mosquitoes carry kills more children than HIV and AIDS. Since you started reading this blog entry, another child has died of malaria. By day’s end, 2,000 more children will succumb.

No one dies of malaria in the U.S. anymore; it was wiped out by 1950, thanks to widespread DDT spraying. But imagine if malaria were killing 2,000 children in the United States every day—would we be taking urgent and tangible action to change that?

World Malaria Day is Sunday, April 25. The good news about malaria is that it’s easy and inexpensive to prevent with bed nets and to treat with medicines. But like so many of the challenges of the poor—they suffer simply because they lack access to these simple tools.

World Vision is working in many countries to change that. Thanks to generous donors, we give insecticide-treated bed nets to families, and we stock clinics with malaria-fighting medicines. What can you do? Check out www.endmalaria.org for ideas.

This week marked the three-month anniversary of the devastating January 12th Haiti earthquake. It’s been on my mind all week, especially as I reflect on being there during the aftermath.

On January 19th, I was in a hospital in Haiti helping deliver medical supplies—one week to the moment after the quake—when suddenly, staff and volunteers fell to their knees singing “Amazing Grace,” and praying to God. I was profoundly moved, and dropped to my knees to join them. I later learned that these faithful Christians had been doing this every day since the quake.

These moments were part of their lives, just as my experiences there have become a part of mine. I can’t forget the heartbreaking scenes of destruction. It felt like I was walking through a war zone, with all the carnage and pain and grief that comes with it. But I can’t forget those prayers that filled that  hospital.

I’m thankful World Vision has been working in Haiti for three decades. That presence enabled us to respond within hours of the disaster. We have 1,000 local staff caring for children and their families throughout the country.

So where are we now, three months on? Gifts from generous donors and partners have helped us distribute food to more than 1.5 million people, along with practical items like blankets, tents, and mosquito nets to more than 100,000 people. But that is just the beginning.

As Haiti headlines diminish, and the urgency of the response wanes, World Vision will continue walking with the people of Haiti, and we will remain committed to restoring hopes, lives and dreams.

What’s next? Please pray; that’s one need that will never diminish. And find out more about how you can continue standing with the people of Haiti.

It’s my birthday week. I’m not big on birthdays, and for reasons I won’t disclose, this is the last one I intend to recognize. But I did enjoy a surprise celebration on Wednesday, courtesy of the Women of Vision group in Fairfield, Conn., to whom I was speaking that night.

Do you ever wonder why birthdays are about us? Shouldn’t they be about our mothers, who did all the work to bring us into the world? Certainly they should be about our heavenly Father, who knit us together in the womb.

Recently I heard about a little girl in California who knows, with wisdom beyond her years, what birthdays can be about. Kara Bradley turned 11 in late January. A few weeks before the big day, she was home sick with the flu, watching TV news about the devastating Haiti earthquake. She decided she didn’t need any presents and asked her party guests to donate to World Vision’s Haiti relief effort instead. She raised $2,000!

Now there’s an idea. What if we all used our birthdays to celebrate the fact that God gave us this one life—for a purpose?

Easter is a glorious day, no matter which church you attend. It’s an occasion of unbridled joy and “alleluias” for our Savior, who rose from the dead to assure our eternal salvation.

And yet, this year my celebration is tempered somewhat by recent events—earthquakes, suffering, and violence—as I think about how the message of Easter speaks to them.

Yes, Christ offers us life in abundance—but we aren’t promised a bed of roses. We are called to suffer as Christ suffered. Look at the 12 disciples; ultimately, they were victims of violence. Ten were martyred and the other, John, was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he died a prisoner.

Yes, there will be losses, sacrifices, in this life. And that is the irony of God in Christ: The most powerful Creator of the universe chose suffering and death to demonstrate love.

Despite the terrible things that can and do happen, it’s important to remember that we do not serve a distant, detached God. The One we follow suffered for us and with us. Our identification is with Christ’s suffering.

Christ has gone before us and defeated the darkness, providing light and life. His sacrifice gives us lasting hope, undiminished by our trials. Yes, that’s the message of Easter. Alleluia!