News at ABWE
Peru: Rebuilding Has Begun!
October 2, 2007
Dear Friend of Missions:
I am writing to bring you up to date with our efforts to help the people devastated by the earthquake which struck Peru last month, and to invite you to join us in these efforts.
ABWE is uniquely positioned to demonstrate the love of Christ to those directly touched by this tragedy. While we are unaware of any lives lost among members of the churches established in the region by our missionaries, many in their communities were killed or injured. Though damaged, church buildings of our daughter churches were used to house people whose homes were reduced to rubble. Church members helped us select those to receive immediate relief in the form of blankets, water and other supplies, and joined us in the distribution. In addition to supplying material needs, our missionaries and their pastor friends gave gospel presentations and distributed tracts to crowds who came for help. Several made immediate decisions to follow Christ. Others are being followed up. Our churches have gained a wonderful reputation for caring in their communities. It is just like God to bring such good from such tragedy!
We have begun the first stages of a rebuilding effort. A team of 5 volunteer builders from the States joined more than 50 local volunteers (missionaries, Peruvians, and others) to fabricate 40 small wooden modular homes designed by our team. These were transported to the epicenter to provide housing for homeless church members. We are now beginning the process of assisting our churches with repairing their buildings, helping to repair a camp started by ABWE missionaries, and erecting more permanent housing for needy church and community members. More details are available in the project description enclosed. Please take time to read it and pray for the missionaries, volunteers and Peruvian believers as they share Christ and His compassion.
Despite the contributed material and labor, the cost of these efforts is significant. Too big for us, but not for God! Would you please consider helping with a gift at this time? The relief funds received through a broadcast email and our website are exhausted, and we have advanced other funds temporarily. Perhaps God would lead you to pay for a temporary home ($700 for materials) or a more permanent one ($3500 for materials). Perhaps your church would consider partnering with one of the Peruvian churches or the camp, to cover the cost of repair. Of course, gifts of any size are greatly appreciated and will have an eternal impact.
Thanking you in advance for your prayers and partnership,
Michael G. Loftis
President
PS: Rebuilding will continue as funds are received. As always, any amount received over the project need will be used for compassion ministries elsewhere.
View images and descriptions of the building projects.
Donations
Thank you for your prayers, and please consider helping our partner churches in their time of need. If God should lead you to give to the Peru Earthquake Rebuilding project, you may give online or use our mail-in form.
US Donors
If you are unable to access the information online, you may email Donna Knight at donna@abwe.org or call 717-909-2362, and we will send the information by email attachment or US mail.
Canadian Donors
For online gifts click the "Donate Now" button on the ABWE Canada home page, then choose Peru Earthquake Relief from the drop-down list.
To send your tax-deductible gift by mail, please print this form and mail it along with your gift to:
ABWE Canada
34-980 Adelaide Street South
London, ON N6E 1R3