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Community relationships are important, even in the best of times. In hard times, those connections become essential. And congregations with pre-existing community ties are uniquely placed to meet critical needs when the going gets tough.
 AMC: Prinzapolka, Nicaragua click for English translation
Varias comunidades de Centroamérica se encuentran entre las afectadas por el huracán Eta, el cual llegó a Nicaragua como tormenta de categoría 4 el 3 de noviembre. Durante los próximos días, una de las más significativas tormentas que ha azotado el área en décadas, extendió su alcance a otras partes de la región. En Guatemala, al menos 50 personas han muerto, aunque ese total podría llegar a 150 personas a medida que continúen las evaluaciones y los esfuerzos de rescate. En Honduras, los días de lluvia devastaron cultivos y dañaron infraestructura como carreteras, puentes y fuentes de agua. Cientos de miles de personas en Centroamérica han sido desplazadas de sus hogares. De ellos, alrededor de 5,500 se encuentran en refugios de emergencia donde trabajan nuestros socios.  Photo: AMC; Prinzapolka, Nicaragua Several communities in Central America were among those impacted by Hurricane Eta, which reached Nicaragua as a Category 4 storm on November 3. Over the coming days, the storm--one of the most significant to hit the area in decades-- extended reach to other parts of the region as well. In Guatemala, at least 50 people have died--though that total could reach up to 150 people as assessments and rescue efforts continue. In Honduras, days of rain devastated crops and damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges and water sources. Hundreds of thousands of people across Central America have been displaced from their homes. Of these, about 5,500 are in emergency shelters where our partners are working.
 As the church prepares to observe All Saints Day, Week of Compassion lifts up the life of a saint who recently passed from this life to life eternal. Her lifetime of service and good stewardship leaves a legacy of compassion that will continue changing lives for many years to come. Diane passed away in December of 2019. But through an endowment fund with the Christian Church Foundation, Diane’s faith will continue to support Week of Compassion for generations to come. Those early experiences with travel and connections to global relationships truly shaped her life and values. Now, her legacy of generosity and compassion will continue to shape the world. With the gift of a lifetime, Diane’s estate helps position Week of Compassion to have a significant impact in responding to the unique needs of our time and the challenges of a changing world.  Imagine that you have to travel far from home in order to find work to support your family. You find a job in the city, and a place to stay, so that you can work and send money home to your loved ones. But then, a global pandemic shuts down the economy. There is no longer work, and you must leave the city to return home. It isn’t safe to travel- but the crowded city is unsafe as well, and you will have nowhere to stay since you are no longer working.
 Photo by: Global Ministries Global Mission Intern, Leda Zakarison In the days following the tragic warehouse explosion in Beirut, local bakeries were baking and sharing free bread by the truckload.
Even before the blast, life was difficult in Lebanon. Political unrest, an ongoing financial crisis, and the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic all contributed to a seemingly impossible situation.  As wildfires continue to spread across much of the west, Week of Compassion is learning more about the widespread impacts and needs. In Oregon, an historic number of fires have burned more than 1 million acres of land, and parts of the state currently have the worst air quality in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people are under evacuation orders-- including more than 100 Disciples households.
In the midst of this ongoing emergency, churches are working to serve their neighbors. Local partnerships are critical, and existing ministries provide opportunities for response in a crisis situation. Congregations in Oregon are working with other leaders and relief organizations to identify specific needs in their area. In partnership with the Region, Week of Compassion is supporting congregations as they serve their wider communities. This response through local churches allows our impact to reach even farther, as Disciples work to meet the critical needs of their neighbors. |
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