No time to rest in the new year!
The new year brought with it a wave of worldwide disasters that have left Nazarene brothers and sisters in Christ hurt, grieving, and struggling to find a way to go on.
Zimbabwe: Cholera Outbreak and Economic Crisis 
The reality for the people of Zimbabwe is dire: the once stable country faces a devastating economic breakdown and a cholera epidemic that is claiming more victims every day.
It is estimated that of the 12 million people living in Zimbabwe, over 40 percent of the population does not have the means to provide even the most basic sustenance for themselves. A decade long agricultural crisis has created an extreme food shortage, and astronomical inflation rates have made the little that remains available too expensive to buy. Compounding the crisis is a spreading cholera epidemic. The BBC reports more than 1,700 people have already died from cholera, and there are currently over 29,000 suspected cases - a number which could potentially double.
In an effort to combat the multi-faceted assault on the people of Zimbabwe, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) has developed the Food and Water Sanitation Project. Through this project, local Nazarenes will distribute maize meal, cooking oil, pulses (similar to lentils), and chlorine tablets for water purification to over 1,500 families on a monthly basis for at least three months.
Gaza Conflict
An ongoing cycle of Palestinian rockets launched into Israeli territory and economy-crippling land, air, and sea-blockades around Gaza enforced by Israel have culminated in the latest conflict in which Israeli assaults on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of an estimated 700 Palestinians and 14 Israelis. Already dependent on outside aid before the attacks, the living conditions have become desperate in Gaza as there have been few breaks in the air and ground offensive since it began on December 27.
With approximately 200,000 Christians living in Gaza City alone, Nazarenes are striving to come alongside the evangelical churches there to help families caught in the middle of the violence. They are responding by providing food packets of rice, beans, sugar, tea, oil, flour, and canned meats, along with hygiene kits, basic medical supplies, blankets, and mattresses.
Guatemala: Landslide
A mile-wide landslide in central Guatemala on January 4 left 35 people confirmed dead and dozens more missing. Danilo Solis, the district superintendent for that region, reports as many as 20 Nazarenes are feared dead. Mexico/Central America Region officials tell NCN News the number of Nazarene casualties may actually be higher than first expected.
Two towns, both with Nazarene churches, have been completely evacuated with the threat of further landslides endangering the residents.
As the largest Nazarene district in Guatemala with over 17,000 members, local Nazarenes were quick to take action. Two churches are housing displaced families, one with more than 200 guests, and food is being collected and distributed to those in need as they face rebuilding their lives.
For more, see the following NCN News report: As many as 20 Nazarenes feared dead after Guatemala landslide
Bangladesh: Cold Wave
Located in southern Asia, Bangladesh rarely sees anything but tropical temperatures. This winter has ushered in a deadly cold wave. Constant exposure to temperatures peaking at just above freezing could mean death for hundreds in this country unaccustomed to and unprepared for cold weather. To help fight the effects of the extreme temperatures, NCM is distributing blankets through local Nazarenes.
Haiti: Hurricane Recovery
Still recovering from the onslaught of hurricanes this past season that hit the island, Haitians continue in desperate need of support. Massive flooding and wind damage caused by three hurricanes destroyed homes, churches, schools, and crops. This total destruction of the country's infrastructure has left the more than 108,000 Nazarenes in Haiti and their neighbors dependent on outside assistance to rebuild their lives.
Brazil: Flood-ravaged Itajai remains in a state of emergency
The situation in the city of Itajai, Brazil, remains extreme since flood ravaging waters uprooted countless numbers from their homes this past December 2. People are still trying to re-unite with loved ones and friends. The situation in Itajai continues to be in a state of emergency as the residents of this city are now trying to figure out where to live.
Donations began pouring into the Itajai Church of the Nazarene under the supervision of Aguiar Brooms. According to Brooms, the donations have been placed into a large concrete block building and a Nazarene Distribution Center has been established. Since that time, they have received more that 3,000 people who have been looking for donations such as boxes containing basic necessities and water, milk, stoves, beds, clothing, and shoes.
All of the donations came from the churches in Itatiba, Rio Clear, Grasslands and its regions, Rio, Coastal, Campeche, Scrupulous of the South, and Curitiba, Brazil. Some of the churches elected to send cash offerings. The offerings are being used to restore a home, buy furniture, and a special mattress for a woman with grave spinal problems. In addition, special offerings helped in re-painting the church. It also paid freight charges and support personnel for their assistance.
As the center was reopened on the January 5, there were already 500 people waiting outside to receive donations. They began lining up at 6 A.M. The distribution center received everyone with the love of Christ Jesus. Everyone who came seeking left satisfied with the donations they were able to find. Many still have needs - mainly nourishment.
As the donations arrived, the center sent out delivery trucks to the affected areas. These trucks delivered water and boxes containing basic needs.
The distribution center is finalizing the restoration of one of the houses and is waiting for the promised resources so that they can continue with the restoration of three other homes. One of the families is homeless, awaiting the beginning of the restoration work so they can return to their house. The center estimates that approximately 20,000 families lost everything, including their belongings. Aguiar believes 20 percent of those homes can be re-occupied with the purchase of new furniture. However, the majority of homes are still inhabitable.
The port, which is what Itajai is so economically dependent upon, still awaits the resources from the Brazilian government to become operative once again. The city hall is, at this time, in total disarray and seems unable to cope with the current state of affairs. The streets have been left full of holes, schools are closed, mud and dirt is everywhere, people are without furniture, and several houses are left as total losses.
Despite the situation, the people in Brazil give glory to God because so many have come to the Church of the Nazarene with grateful hearts.
Note: To view photos of the relief efforts in Brazil, click here. To download a corresponding Power Point presentation, go to the Nazarene Media Library.
(Brazil nformation courtesy of Itajai Pastor Nelson and NCN News-South America)
How to Help
Please partner with NCM through prayers and contributions. Join NCM as they pray for the safety of these Nazarene brothers and sisters, as well as the people local churches can help through these many trials.
Those persons and churches who wish to contribute to the relief efforts can mark their checks "Global Disaster Relief NCMPR0109" and send them to Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. Contributions can also be made online at www.ncm.org.
--NCM
