For $16/month you can make a difference!

My heart hit my stomach when I saw this graphic our former mayor posted a couple of weeks ago. Like many countries, unemployment here in Colombia is skyrocketing. But as you can see, being on lock-down since March 19th means that we have outpaced many other countries. Cooped-up kids are the least of our worries. Neighbors, dear friends, and entire communities of vulnerable people are being thrust further into abject poverty. Statistically, a chart like this stings. But our hearts ache knowing the names of the children whose families are being left behind. “Lord, please help, rescue!” is the weary prayer of our community’s heart when moms and dads report another fruitless day of finding work.

There’s a saying here that has stuck with me since the first day I heard it. “It’s illegal, but it’s not prohibited.” Normally I roll my eyes when I see this applied. It’s illegal, but not prohibited, to drive without a driver's license. But it’s a knife to the heart when a family you love and pray for is about to end up homeless. Sure, it’s illegal to kick someone out of their housing during the pandemic. But it’s not prohibited because often the family in danger could never navigate the legal system to defend their rights. Our health care system in Bogotá has collapsed. If members of this family get sick by being forced into unsafe living conditions, it doesn’t end well.

Why am I telling you this? The very few safety nets that exist in this country have gaping holes in them. Enter God’s family with God’s resources at its disposal. There are times in the life of God’s global church in which we team up to protect the vulnerable among us. This is one of those times and we need your help!

In addition to those in our congregation that United Church is sustaining by keeping their lights turned on, their rent paid, and food on their tables, we are supporting a poor community a few blocks south of the church called Juan 23. Our church has an ongoing ministry with at-risk kids in this community every Saturday morning (before the pandemic). On Saturdays we do our best to weave together English language learning, discipleship, and resources for their parents (usually moms) in hopes that they will enjoy Jesus and that some will escape the poverty cycle. During the pandemic we’ve been able to feed 200 families who would otherwise go to bed hungry at night. But our resources are starting to run out...

In partnership with a local food bank, we are able to feed 200 families for just under $3,200 per month. Believe it or not, that’s $16 per family per month. They receive our food baskets every two weeks, along with fresh fruits and veggies that a community leader buys and distributes. Would you please consider making an ongoing or one-time gift our Mercy Fund that will provide relief for as long as the pandemic cripples these families we know and love. By doing this through our church’s foundation, we are able to guarantee that 100% of your gift goes to these families in need. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit this link and select “Mercy Fund” in the dropdown menu.

Thank you so much for your wide-reaching prayers and financial generosity to the nations and the next generation.

Gratefully,

Andrew w/Laura Kate, Fox, Evie Jude, & Lucy

Please follow this link to make your tax-deductible donation to support our work in the gospel and further this ministry to the nations and the next generation.

We continue to meet virtually as a church and will be required do so into the fall I suspect. Here's our production team preparing for another broadcast from our living room. You can check out our church YouTube channel here and even join us live for a Sunday service if you're in need of a virtual service on Sunday morning.

Practicing all kinds of great skills during quarantine, including how to pose for an album cover.

Enjoying a really cool airshow for Colombian Independence Day.