The Week of Compassion is the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) window of mission to the world. A quick check of the Week of Compassion website shows that our support of this ministry helps to alleviate suffering, provide humanitarian aid, and support sustainable development in many parts of the world. For example, in 2017, Week of Compassion grants brought draught relief in Africa, emergency support in Asia, and storm relief in to many places in the United States–including Kansas.
Today Week of Compassion funds are supporting ministries in Texas and in other states bearing the brunt of Hurricane Harvey. FEMA estimates that 400,000 households will be displaced by this storm. Rainfall in some areas exceeds 50 inches. With the help of the Week of Compassion, Central Kingwood Church, Houston, is providing shelter for 70 people displaced by the storm. Other churches are sites of healing, shelter, and comfort.
The good news is that 100% of your Week of Compassion offering goes to immediate and long-term relief ministries. For those who wish to respond in some way to this disaster that is literally swamping Gulf States, the Week of Compassion asks us to:
Pray for the people who have lost their homes, for families that have lost loved ones, and for all the people stepping forward to bring relief and assistance to the people in need.
Stay where you are. Often time people want to go to the place of need and “do something.” Week of Compassion ministries encourages us to stay in place. There will be opportunities for mission trips and work camps in the future. Recovery is going to be a long-term project.
Support relief efforts with financial contributions. If you want to make a contribution to Hurricane Harvey relief ministries you can write a check to Pine Valley Christian Church and mark “Hurricane Harvey” in the memo, or visit the website http://www.weekofcompassion.org.
Thank you for being partners in this ministry.
In friendship,
David