Join the Habitat Lent Build in Brazil

Thursday, October 5, A.D. 2006

“Just as you did to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

In 2007, Lent begins on February 21 and ends on April 7. Churches are invited to celebrate a Lenten season that is Christ-centered by serving families in need of decent housing. Habitat for Humanity, one of our partner organizations around the world, will host a special event in Porto Alegre, Brazil, with the goal of having volunteer teams help build 40 houses in 40 days.

The families that live on the islands alongside the Guaiba River are the poorest of the poor in Porto Alegre. Many of them live in dilapidated wooden shacks and make their living by recycling and selling garbage. Sanitation in the community is a huge concern, with a majority of families reporting that they don’t even have access to their own latrine. Not surprisingly, 64% of the families also report at least one family member with some sort of chronic illness. Many also live in areas of high risk from floods. As we all watched happen in New Orleans, the poorest among us are often those who live in the most vulnerable and disaster-prone areas.

Our goal is to help our friends and partners at Habitat transform this poverty-stricken community in Porto Alegre. We hope to build at least 100 houses and 100 septic systems for the town’s residents in the next two years. So, how can your church participate?

-Pray for the project
-Raise funds to sponsor one or more houses
-Send a team to Porto Alegre. Teams are asked to sponsor two houses with a minimum of one house per team. Two to three teams are needed for the first six weeks and five teams for Holy Week. Teams should include approximately ten people.

Interested groups should contact Habitat’s Church Relations dept. at (919) 303-7807 or jvillasenor@habitat.org, or call Amy Gopp, Week of Compassion Associate, at (317) 590-3147.

Habitat for Humanity is working closely with us as we rebuild the Gulf Coast. As you continue to discern how you will be a part of the ongoing Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, consider also responding to this global housing crisis. Join us!

Ecumenical Community Responds to the Grieving Amish Community

In response to the horrific school shooting that took the lives of five young Amish girls this past week in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, Week of Compassion has contributed to the efforts of Mennonite Disaster Service and Mennonite Central Committee to help with medical care, transportation, supportive care and other needs. Both Mennonite organizations, close to the Amish communities in Lancaster County, have been present during the aftermath of the tragedy. “We call upon churches to unite in prayer and support for the Amish community at this time,” said Kevin King, MDS executive director. He also shared with us the amazing ability of the Amish community to forgive. Not only are they worried about their own grieving families, but also about the Charles family (the wife and children of the man who killed the girls and then shot himself). What a witness to all of us about the grace of God in the face of even the most incomprehensible and violent events.

Map for Congregations

For the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster, click here.