With God There Is Hope

 

With God there is always hope. But for God I would not have made it. We have heard these and similar phrases when there is a disaster or what looks like a hopeless situation. In earthquake affected areas of Venezuela there is devastation. Over 4,500 reported dead. More than 16,000 casualties. Over 20,000 homeless. How many missing or unaccounted for? The government doesn't know or isn't saying. Guesses range from several thousand to tens of thousands. The situation is a disaster.

As the picture above reveals, there is a sign of hope in the midst of the ruins. A pastor and a team from his church, El Cordero, have made multiple trips to serve those in need. They have taken clean water, clothes, supplies for babies, medicine.... even a big pot of soup. Hope can be found as churches and people reach out to them to help in their time of need. The Project Joseph team showed the love of God to the hurting. They also took Gospel tracts and New Testaments and using these they shared the Gospel. Food meets the need when you are hungry. The Gospel gives Hope!

Shortly after the disaster Global 21 received donations without asking. Individuals and churches called asking how they could help. We have received close to $15,000 which we have channeled into relief works in Venezuela. We have paid for gas for doctors to get to patients. We have a cook providing daily meals in the area of the epicenter. G21 has rented trucks, bought food, and provided tents and mattresses. One team from Barquisimeto actually were able to rescue 5 people from a collapsed building! G21 was able to quickly mobilize by contacting the churches and ministries that were part of our Project Joseph Network. Many of you may remember our Project Joseph Network of ministries that operated feeding programs for 5 years in Venezuela. The Project Joseph Network has been reactivated!

Project Joseph will continue with immediate relief efforts. However, we recognize the pace of recovery in Venezuela will be slow. Help for displaced people will be needed for months not just days. As always while Project Joseph feeds and clothes and helps in many ways our greatest work is proclaiming Jesus. 

Our desire is to bring Hope to the Hurting. And a harvest of new believers out of this tragedy.