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Global Hunger Sunday is August 28th

August 11, 2022
Global Hunger Sunday is August 28th

50,000 SOUTH AMERICANS EXPERIENCE JESUS’ LOVE THROUGH GLOBAL HUNGER RELIEF

 

Before the COVID-19 pandemic ever hit, Venezuela was already facing an urgent crisis.

Due to ongoing economic and political unrest, 5,000 people were fleeing the nation on a daily basis, choosing to brave extreme weather and homelessness rather than keep their children in imminent danger.

After COVID-19 descended, the migration crisis exponentially worsened.  Experts estimate the number of Venezuelan refugees has already surpassed 7 million.

Borders began closing, and the challenges of protecting and caring well for entire families increased.  Police started finding the remains of families who tried to make the treacherous trek across the Andes Mountains. with dozens of bodies --- including children’s --- having been discovered so far.

On top of this tragedy, many migrants who did succeed in making the journey to their new homes quickly found their life savings --- which many accumulated by selling all their earthly possessions --- were astronomically devalued in other countries.  Many end up living on the streets for months before finding a job, legitimate or otherwise, that pays enough to keep their families consistently fed.

In response to this heartbreaking situation, Southern Baptists used Global Hunger Relief funds to establish a ministry at a three-story missions house in the Colombian borderlands.  It has been successfully operating for two years now.

“Apart from some of the only nourishing, hot meals they will receive on their trek, we offer showers to weary travelers who have not had an opportunity to bathe in days, washing machines for the few clothes carried with them, children’s activities, clean drinking water, on-site-medical care, a listening ear, and --- most importantly --- prayer and a gospel presentation, “ explained a ministry leader in Columbia.

Because of the staff’s diligence in having these gospel conversations with families, more than 50,000 Venezuelan refugees have heard about the love of Jesus through this project, with nearly 17,500 committing their lives to Christ.

A doctor has also been consistently present at the missions house since it was built, often seeing 100 patients per day, where medical and dental clinics are regularly held.

The “walkers,” as these refugees are referred to in South America, are given valuable information about what to expect and what they will need to navigate the remainder of their journey.  For those waiting for papers or the appropriate equipment to continue their migration, Global Hunger Relief funds are being used to distribute 200 – 300 meals every day, along with fresh water.  In total thus far, tens of thousands of people have received desperately needed food.

Your gifts to Global Hunger Relief are making a difference around the world.  You can help more hurting families like these by continuing to pray for their safety as they journey onward and by giving to Global Hunger Relief at globalhungerrelief.org.

 

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Reprinted from the August 2022 issue of Missions Mosaic, Woman’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama. Written by Natalie Sarrett. Used by permission. To receive this issue, or subscribe to Missions Mosaic, call 1-800-968-7301.