Church of God Dealing with Natural Disasters on Three Fronts
In the course of a few days, three distinct natural disasters have affected Church of God people. As far as we now know, there are not fatalities among our congregations, but news is traveling slowly as to the damages incurred.
Three major earthquakes hit the south of Japan between April 14 through 16, 2016. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the search for survivors as a “race against the clock.” The earthquakes have opened old wounds for the country of Japan. The Church of God is ready to mobilize and provide loving help for the physical and emotional devastation.
Church of God Overseer of Uruguay Alcides Morales said, “Tornadoes (cyclones) have ripped through Uruguay. The Church of God in Uruguay aligns itself with the help of the city of Dolores, Soriano. They are raising donations of medical supplies, cleaning supplies, diapers, disinfectants, etc., in our congregations, and in our national office located in San Martin 3192, Montevideo. Any help will be well received and sent at the end of the week to the people affected. Thank you for the donations and prayers. God bless you.”
Then, Saturday night brought terror and death to the western coast of Ecuador, as a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck less than 20 miles from the town of Muisne. As of this release there are 233 confirmed dead as a result of the quake. Ecuador’s west coast forms a part of the massive network of tectonic zones and volcanic activity that geologists refer to as the Ring of Fire. Thus Ecuador, like the western United States and eastern Asia, is prone to high earthquake activity.
As with all such large-scale disasters, it is difficult to ascertain the status of World Missions personnel and facilities in the area as communications are hindered by loss of cellular and landline telephone services. Field Director David Ramirez and Regional Overseer Richard Mendoza are hard at work trying to make contact with churches and pastors in western Ecuador, as well as to coordinate disaster relief. The region is without power, water, and most telephone service, and the estimates now stand at over 1,500 wounded and in need of medical supplies and attention, though that number is expected to climb.
Director of World Missions Tim Hill said, “Not one of us has the power to help all of our Church of God congregations and families, but each one of us has an open door to keep the Word of God that tells us to love our brother as oneself.”
Overseer of Ecuador Mendoza reminds us of the need to respond now: “The pain of our people is great, there will be days of sorrow and mourning … many dead, many wounded, many families without homes; we have to organize to introduce ourselves as a united and loving church community.”
Church of God World Missions has set up a General Natural Disaster Fund with the project number 020-0803. Specific project numbers are: Ecuador: 765-0036-024; Uruguay: 765-0036-023; and Japan: 765-0046.
For more information as it becomes available, visit Church of God World Missions at www.cogwm.org.
