A cup of water

That is what we are aiming at - a cup of water given to those in need. Given in the love that God gives to us. We are organizing to make cards. Christmas cards. Summer has finally arrived here in the Lower Mainland and we are thinking of Christmas. The cards made will be sold and all of the proceeds, including whatever funds were needed to make them, will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. They are already on the ground in Kenya. It is an ocean of need. And we will help with our own cup of water. Our first organizational meeting and card making gathering will be on August 13 at the church. More to follow. Please join us. Please pray.

Update on the famine

The famine is beginning to get media attention. Here is a link from just moments ago:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/somalia-the-horror-of-famine-in-a-failed-state/article2104347/

It is not easy reading. Lord have mercy!

The Perfect Storm - it has arrived

A bit ago there was a post about the coming of a "perfect storm," that is, of all the conditions being right for great tragedy. Unfortunately, those in the know were right and it has arrived. On the Diakonia bulletin board will be found a clipping from the local newspapers outlining this horror. There is a refugee camp in Kenya which currently sprawls 50 kilometers and these same experts expect it to reach half a million in population very soon. The place has a name and is called "Dadaab." You will hear and read much more about it as the days progress. Those living there will not be so fortunate. They will have first hand knowledge.

In the midst of this tragedy there are heros. Doctors Without Borders are there. From the article: "Each death is a blow to the doctors and nurses who work around the clock and against the odds, but they know they must keep going. 'If you keep on thinking about the child who's died then you'll lose the others.'"

There are many good agencies who are being allowed again in the area (there were political blocks which have praise God been removed by those who set them up) who can use financial support. This is unfortunately a long term project as the article continues with: "Beyond the fences of the camp, the drought has ravaged many more lives - an estimated 10 million people need food assistance."

This is not oddly enough - not at least at this writing - front and centre in the news world. It is in the "B" section. You may have to search for information. We will try to keep it current here.

You may also have to search for options as to how you can help.The agencies that are again in the area most certainly will be grateful for your participation in their work. Most of us cannot go ourselves, but we can support those who do with funding and with our prayers. Never underestimate the need for prayer. And never underestimate the need for financial support, no matter how modest that is.

word is...

That the generosity of St. Herman's filled the trunks of those who distributed the warm clothing, blankets, socks, sleeping bags, and useful towels to those on the other end of plenty. Thank you, a thousand times, thank you! And please, keep the these items coming...the winter is only beginning.

Cold, very cold...

As noted in the previous post, we are collecting socks and warm clothing for those without these basics. This is expected to be the coldest winter in over 50 years. So not only socks are needed, but scarves, hats, gloves, blankets and towels. Why towels? The homeless are not able to use shower services open to them unless they have a towel. Like socks, they often get discarded as there is no way to clean or dry them once they have become wet and soiled. The bin will be emptied week by week of these items as they are distributed to those in need. Thank you for bringing these warm examples of love of God!

To warm the body...

As we have in the past, we are again collecting socks and other warm items for those who live without these basic comforts. Those that live on the street do not have the means to wash or even dry the socks so they need them and often. Before the weather even changed, and before the call for these items when out, they were already been brought by those who know how needed they will be. So thank you and please continue to deposit these items into the Diakonia bin set up for that purpose. You will notice that it is not long before the bin is emptied as these items find their way immediately to those in need.

And again, thank you for continuing as well to bring items of food - these too Sunday, by Sunday, are delivered to the food bank for distribution.

"When did we see you, Lord?"

The Perfect Storm...

For your prayers, there gathers in the east the making of a perfect storm. This is a huge beast, a famine of such magnitude that humanitarian groups have joined forces to try to fight it. The estimated numbers are that there are 20 million people at risk. This storm was created by years of drought, crop failures, climate change, political turmoil. The Canadian government recently (Sept 21/09) announced a contribution of $30 million to the World Food Programme. Here is a website with links to learn more about this human disaster in the making.

http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/pastAppealDetail/east_africa_hunger/

Please pray and if you can, give.