Chile Relief Fund
Recent Updates from On the Ground
via chile.lvbaptist.org
Chile Relief Fund Overview
Good News
Our missionary families, the Heinzs and Castners, are all safe. They were woken up in the middle of the night with the shaking of the 8.8 earthquake, which was centered about an hour north of where they stay. Pictures fell off the walls, but at this point it seems that their buildings sustained no structural damage.
You may have heard that we had a small missions group visiting our missionary families in Chile at the time of the earthquake. Four men from our church were in the country for an ordination service which was scheduled to take place on Saturday. We can't help but see the hand of God in timing this perfectly, so they could be there to be a blessing and a help.
Hard News This quake has not seen its equal since 1960, over 50 years ago. Over 700 have been reported dead and the devastation an hour north of our missionaries is tragic. People there have lost everything. Concepcion has gotten most of the press, and therefore most of the aid, but dozens of villages around were also damaged greatly. Opportunities for the Gospel In short, our men are planning to go into the areas around Concepcion to distribute food to those in need. They have found a supplier who will help them at greatly discounted prices. They were able to find fuel and completed their first trip in to the region on March 3rd. Though the men will be helping with distributing food and other necessities, they are using this as a platform to preach the Gospel. People are hurting and don't understand why a catastrophe like this would occur. This is the perfect opportunity to share God's Word with them. |
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How You Can Help
Primarily, we need your prayers for safety and open doors for the gospel. The looting and crime is very great right now with reduced security and everything in ruins. Sending trucks of food into the severely damaged areas is necessary, but also dangerous. We are praying that God will lead Garry & Don to the right places for distribution - areas where there are people who are ready to be ministered to with the gospel.
Secondly, we also need financial help. We have spent over $2000 and have committed another $4000 in food right now. With Garry & Don's contacts, specifically this manager of Trebol, we will be able to get the most 'bang for our buck' in helping the people most affected by the quake. We have set up the "CHILE RELIEF FUND" here at Lehigh Valley Baptist Church, from which Garry & Don will be able to buy food, supplies, gas, and be of assistance to those in need. As Garry stated above, it will take months and even years to rebuild everything that was destroyed, so this will be an area of ongoing need. As long as they have the funds to help with needs, they will use this as an area of ministry.
Donate Online
If you would like to help by contributing to the Chile Relief Fund, please send a check to:
Lehigh Valley Baptist Church
4702 Colebrook Avenue
Emmaus, PA 18049
If you have any questions, you can contact the church office at (610) 965-4700 or office@lvbaptist.org .
Once again, thank you for all your concern and prayers over the past few days. Don't stop now!!! Though the initial danger is over, we believe God has placed our men in a position of ministry "for such a time as this." We can't wait to see what God is going to do!