Two ways to give to the Philippines

I hope you've been watching coverage of the recent typhoon in the Philippines.  When our Alpha team from Central visited the Central Philippines in March 2012, we grew to know and love so many people there.  The areas we visited are less affected than some of the islands to the north and east, but there are still huge needs in these local areas.  

My friend Ronald, a pastor on the southern part of the island of Panay, emailed me about the devastation there.  Panay is getting very little press coverage because the damage on islands to the east like Leyte and Cebu is so much greater.  But Ronald says this:  

"Here in Panay we have around 70 dead and 12 missing and 100+ wounded and around more than 100,000 people are homeless ... The Iloilo Pastors have an emergency meeting about the disaster and how can we help.  We decided to appeal to all church members in the city donate used clothing, can foods, noodles, utensils, medicines, mosquito nets, rice, biscuits, mineral water, slippers, coffee and others. Unfortunately, we will send relief goods in Panay island only ... because in our own Panay island the needs are so enormous.  If any possibility that some of our friends there can donate anything for the victims of Panay we would appreciate it." 

If you want to donate to this dedicated group of pastors and churches, we'll be sending funds next week to Ronald.  I have personally worked with Ronald for more than ten years and I know that he is absolutely honest in managing money that is donated for various causes.  To donate to the concerns on Panay, visit Central Lutheran Church's website, click on "GIVE" and follow the instructions.  Be sure to designate your gift "Philippines" and we'll see to that it gets to Ronald and the churches there next week.

A member of our church has connections to an American family living and working on the island of Cebu, one of the hardest hit areas.  They are in position to funnel these donations directly to some of the hardest hit parts of Cebu.  This family says:

Please consider donating – and be assured that every single dollar we receive will go directly to families here in the Philippines. Relief efforts continue but people need help NOW. Our family has volunteered our time and we will continue to do so, but what we need most right now is to put funds directly into the hands of these people so they can start the rebuilding process. 

Every single dollar helps! Even if you can only donate $1...it is $1 more than what they had before. Most of these families live on less than $5 a day. With the cost of a (modest) new home priced at $1500, it will take years for these people to get back on their feet. Think of the difference you can make! 

Please, please consider donating. The people of the Philippines – the people we have come to know and love – will thank you.

To donate to their efforts, visit their webpage here.

Jesus said: 
"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." (Matthew 25:35-36)

Thanks for being generous!