June 2008 Volume 4 Issue 1
When Disaster Strikes
Natural disasters have recently struck China and Myanmar, leaving thousands of people in need of immediate assistance. Feeding The Nations (FTN) wasted no time springing into action to find ways to feed, clothe and offer hope to those affected.
When Disaster Strikes
>> Myanmar (Burma)
Cyclone Nargis swept the densely populated southern delta of the Irrawaddy Division in Myanmar on May 3. Reports estimate that 78,000 people are dead, 56,000 missing and at least 2.5 million survivors still lack sufficient food and clean drinking water. As the country recovers, it faces the challenge of finding clean drinking water because of contamination due to dead bodies and decaying animals. People are clinging to life in the low-lying delta area, with thousands lining the roadsides to beg for help.
Beyond the obstacles created by the cyclone, reaching the country with international aid has been difficult because of the Burmese government's reluctance to accept supplies from certain nations, including the United States. Fortunately, FTN had contacts already within the country who could deliver the much-needed supplies on FTN's behalf.
So far, FTN has given $41,000 to aid the people of Myanmar. Missionaries used $25,000 of that money to purchase food and water within the country. The remainder was used to purchase eight Vortex® Voyager water purification systems that will clean 200 gallons of water per hour or 4,800 gallons per day, with all eight in operation. Thanks to those systems, an abundant flow of clean and life saving nourishing water is available!
When Disaster Strikes
>> China
On May 12, a 7.9 earthquake struck China with a force equal to 400 nuclear bombs. It brought absolute devastation, destroying over 3.5 million homes and leaving tens of thousands stranded. Estimates report that over 87 million have been affected, more than 67,000 are dead, over 362,000 are injured and close to 25,000 are missing, with numbers continuing to rise. But as the clean up continues, new concerns arise as contaminated water and other unsanitary conditions leave survivors at risk of contracting typhoid, diarrhea and hepatitis.
Teaming with World Children's Fund, FTN sent $31,220 to provide food, water, blankets, tents and medical supplies for those affected. The World Children's Fund is on the ground now distributing FTN's supplies. The organization reported, "Helpless and dying children were made orphans in mere seconds as parents perished in the crushing quake rubble. After being rescued out of the claws of twisted metal and concrete - tens of thousands of children now face possible death in the even more threatening and dangerous quake aftermath. The quake destruction was massive, with whole mountainsides sheared off, highways ripped apart and building after building leveled."
Together, the World Children's Fund's work and FTN's provisions are bringing basic necessities and the love of Christ to the hurting and lost of China as they attempt to recover and rebuild their homes and their lives.
Feeding 8,500 in Malawi
FTN has once again blessed the African nation of Malawi with food and supplies. It is home to more than one million orphans partly due to the AIDS epidemic. Malawi faces repeated famines because of droughts, government corruption and diseases, among other factors. Understanding the need, FTN sent $400,000 worth of food and multi-vitamins. The canned vegetables, and vitamin-fortified rice and vegetable meals were distributed to approximately 8,500 people, while doctors and medical clinics received many of the vitamins to use with their patients.
"The rice-soy casserole meals are excellent and enjoyed by all. We see this first hand from the 50 orphan children in our care here at the Iris Ministry base," said David Morrison who helped distribute the supplies as part of Iris Africa. He went on to explain that the orphans "are the most vulnerable in the society who without the assistance of Iris Africa would be left to face their difficult circumstances alone. There is no social welfare office to provide them support nor any relatives or neighbors willing to help. In this culture grandmothers are overwhelmed with the burden to care for their orphaned grandchildren - there are so many, and they make up the majority on our recipient list."
FTN's supplies also assisted the village of Tengani that fell victim to an arsonist who randomly set four homes on fire, leaving the people of the village frightened and bewildered. "The families had lost everything, including food supplies, dishes, clothes, blankets and sleeping mats, as their grass houses were quickly engulfed in flames," Morrison reported.
FTN's food arrived just days before this tragic event struck, giving the people hope that someone thousands of miles away cared about them.
Nourishing Orphans in Honduras
Beginning in April, an orphanage in Honduras received 285,000 vita-meals thanks to FTN. The meals will offer months of nourishment for the 415 children who are fed three meals a day, seven days a week. The orphanage provides evangelism, discipleship, education and vocational training for the children there, many of whom come from poverty, malnourishment, abuse and neglect. Most of the orphans have been poorly nourished, have lacked stimulation and often have not had any education prior to arriving at the orphanage.
Warming Russia
FTN team members in Russia visited 80 homes throughout several small villages around Kakisalmi and Priozersk, bringing desperately needed food and encouragement to a place where alcohol costs less than milk and is used as a way to escape misery and forget about hunger. These villages suffer from absolute poverty, extreme cold and dark depression. They had all but been forgotten.
On one of the visits, the FTN team met an orthodox woman who had been praying for food. She took care of her grandson because his parents were alcoholics. They had not eaten for a whole week, but had prayed, "God give us some food so that we'll make it until I get my pension." When the 5-year-old boy saw the bags of food he cried out, "We can eat today!"
One local pastor said, "I understand that this is not just giving out food, but much more…. You come with the presence of God."
Continuing Support of Zambia
Thanks to the generous support of so many, FTN adopted 15 Christian schools and orphanages in Zambia, committing to continually support the organizations throughout the year. As promised, the work has continued with a recent shipment of 285,000 vita-meals and 1,000 Bibles in April. In June FTN sent two more shipments, with the first having 748,800 vita-meals valued at $82,000. Another shipment of food, school health and hygiene kits, along with medical supplies, will also bless the schools and orphanages, providing them with ways to better teach and care for the children.
Over the last few months, FTN has acquired a warehouse and put administrators in place to oversee operations for the next two years, ensuring the distribution of supplies will be handled correctly and in a timely fashion so more blessings can reach those 15 schools and orphanages.
While much aid has already reached Zambia, FTN looks to provide even more throughout 2008 and 2009 in a way to shower those children with God's love. If you want to help change this nation one child at a time, consider joining the effort. Financial support is still necessary to make the rest of the journey possible. Please prayerfully consider what your role might be.
Blessing Burkina Faso with Fruit
Due to rising prices, food has become too expensive for many people in Burkina Faso in West Africa. They do not have the resources to ensure proper nutrition. To help nourish those in need, FTN sent $70,000 worth of dried peaches and nectarines. The 41,500 pounds of dried fruit will provide vital nutrition for the hungry of Burkina Faso.
Adopting Israel
FTN once again partnered with the Jerusalem-based Christian organization, Bridges for Peace, by adopting 200 Israeli families in four different towns, giving them nutrition, hope and assurance for the future. Many communities throughout the nation struggle with economic hardship, not having enough resources to adequately care for those in need, many of whom are immigrants returning to their motherland. Wanting to bless these chosen people, FTN has adopted families in Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Ata, Mazkeret Batya and Yazniel, and is giving them supplemental nourishment throughout the year.
Protecting the Children of India
FTN has been providing 700 school children in India with meals five days a week in five different cities. Due to poor living conditions, these meals are often the only ones the children receive. Since the meals have begun, a remarkable change in health, focus and mental acuteness has been noticed. In a way of further providing for the children, FTN is sending mosquito nets, helping protect them from life-threatening diseases.
Reaching Even More
In an effort to reach as many as possible with the love of Christ, FTN currently has a total of eight 40-ft. containers worth several hundred thousands dollars en route to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nicaragua and Haiti. Be sure to visit FeedingTheNations.org and stay tuned for an update as these vital supplies and the Word of God reach people in need.
The President's Column
What do you do when Calamity Strikes?
What if you lived in China and experienced the earthquake and everything you worked for was gone? Or, maybe you were a resident of Myanmar (Burma) and it was your nation that flooded? It is run by the military which represses religion and common freedoms. You cannot be deaf to the cries of your own countrymen, but what can you do?
There could be something in your life not as big as these catastrophes, but it's still significant to you. You need to ask yourself, how will you react when disaster strikes?
1. The first thing we should all do is to look up because we know that the Bible says all good things come from above. Never lose your hope in God. The loss of property or the loss of friendships or even the loss of life is happening around the world, but you have to know and believe that God is the giver of all things that are good and He is the giver of life (John 3:16).
2. You need to find scripture that can be your foundation stones, in other words, something that you can hang your hat on. When some people go through tragedy, they run from God and His Word. But I have found in our lives, instead of running from God, you need to run to Him. There you receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the grace and mercy in time of trouble, and inner strength that cannot be manufactured by an outside intellectual force or physical strength that you might possess. You can receive strength that comes from the eternal words of God.
3. You have to be so careful about what you say about God. The Bible tells us in Proverbs that the power of life and death is in your tongue (Prov. 18:21). The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:18,19 that our words can be life words. Make your confession sure. You can speak to mountains of unbelief or fear and they have to go. That is the authority that we have as believers. You are not denying reality by quoting the Word of God to yourself. We know that the Words of life, the Words of God, will come to pass in your life.
4. You need to start working. You don't sit down and twiddle your thumbs and wish something would happen (Prov. 6:10). You need to make something happen because you are doing something. We are the hands, eyes and feet of Jesus on this planet. The Bible tells us that He will bless the work of our hands. The first pastor in Jerusalem, James, tells us very clearly in James 2:17,18 that "I will show you my faith by my works." James went on to say that faith without works is dead.
So, when tragedy strikes you need to look up, find scripture to stand upon, out of your spirit confess the Word of God and get to work! This is how we live with Feeding The Nations. Because of food, the gospel is able to be given. We confess and pray the Word of God over the food that we send around the world. We bless the believers who labor in the field handing out the food, work in communities, and spend long hours with hurting backs and tired feet. Thanks to the power of God, they are able to show Jesus in a tangible way and are extremely satisfied to have helped at least one person that day.
You must ask yourself what your role is in this. We need your help to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this generation. What will you do? Calamity has struck and now you must decide.