Friday Snippets and Soundbites

• A tall, non-fat mocha latte with whipped cream. . .and a kidney? On Tuesday (March 11), SAndie Anderson, a Starbucks barista in Washington state, donated a kidney to one of her regular customers, Annamarie Ausnes. Ausnes has polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that caused cysts on her kidneys and finally, kidney failure. When she mentioned her health problem to the barista, Sandie Anderson didn't hesitate to have a blood test. Read more about this amazing story of selflessness here.

• Comedian Billy Crystal found an interesting way to celebrate his 60th birthday. He put on his pinstripes and made a one-game appearance with the New York Yankees, his favorite team, in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday. Crystal was penciled in to the lineup as a designated hitter and led off the bottom of the first. He struck out on six pitches. He watched the remainder of the game from the dugout. Crystal signed a one-day contract with the Yankees (approved by MLB commissioner Bud Selig!) and worked out with the team on Wednesday. He turns 60 today.

• The PBS kids competition show “Design Squad” begins its next season on April 2. In the first challenge, teen engineers are tasked with creating eco-friendly cardboard furniture for display at IKEA, a home furnishings store. Inspired by that challenge, the show is also sponsoring the Trash to Treasure contest at www.bkfk.com. The contest challenges teens and children to recycle and reuse items from their recycling bins to create "the next big thing." There's a chance to win $10,000 and a trip to the development lab at an awarding-winning international design firm. The contest begins April 1 and runs through June 30, 2008. Find out more here.

• Want to be a part of an international mission trip but don't have a passport? How's about a virtual mission trip with International World Changers? Starting tomorrow, March 15, the International Mission Board media team will be traveling with a group of International World Changers on mission in Athens, Greece. For one week, they'll be covering everything the 60 teens are doing—with video, photos, audio, and stories. Be sure to stop by the Web site and see what's happening and join the group on mission through your prayers. Visit www.iwcstories.com for more information.