HOW TO HELP

This past week has been a startling awakening for many of us to the realities of our world. We knew about the earthquake in Haiti followed by the tropical storm. We were beginning to see the desperate outcomes taking place in the lives of people in Afghanistan. And, then we received news from both Bishop Dogo in Kafanchan and Bishop John in Gosue of terror and killing taking place in their villages. Several of us saw the pictures Bishop Dogo sent taken as he walked through neighborhoods just hours after the killings occurred. People he knows, women and children shot to death, 48 homes burned, crops destroyed.  Devastating. And personal. 

It is easy, and, perhaps, almost natural for us to feel helpless and to become numb. But there is a choice to be made. And Christ Jesus has called us to help.  

You can help.

There are three ways you can help.
1.     Read, become informed, and then pray. Pray for God's help, foe God to intervene, protect, and save.
2.     Pray asking, "Lord, I am your servant. All that I have has come from you. How would you want me to help?" And consider each of the three situations, people in Haiti, refugees fleeing Afghanistan, and our friends in Kafanchan and Gusau. Perhaps God will put one or more of these on your heart.
3.     For now, your prayers and your financial gifts are available as ways to help. Here are ways to give:

For help in Nigeria, simply write a check to Trinity. There is already a wire transfer set up where money can arrive in 24 hours.

For aid to refugees from Afghanistan, go to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. I worked with them extensively in the past and have found  them efficient and well run  LIRS.org  or https://secure2.convio.net/lirs/site/Donation2?df_id=4079&4079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T/

Several Dioceses in Florida have relationships with Haiti.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ARCUSTPE39YPL

Or write a check to Trinity and we will send it to the South Florida Haiti Project.

Finally, almost all of your friends and co-workers want to help, but don't know how. Invite them. Make it easy for them. They will get the reward of giving, and others will benefit.