Dear Friends,
Hurricane Harvey has devastated the Gulf Coast. As you know, thousands along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast have been driven from their homes by historic-level floodwaters. With homes flooded or shattered by hurricane winds or tornados, a wave of newly homeless will be praying for someone — anyone to offer them help.
As we watched the news reports, we couldn’t help but think of the words in the second chapter of James:
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:15-17
Sitting comfortably in sunny California, we may look at this tragedy as something “out there.” But this is not a regional tragedy, it is a national tragedy. We weep and pray for those whose lives have been so unexpectedly disrupted and ask what can we do?
As with any disaster, the charlatans and con artists will be ringing our phones asking for donations. Besides your local church, you can feel confident that donations made to the below listed organizations will help those most needy. If you want your donations to go to hurricane relief, write “Hurricane Harvey” in the memo section of your check or online donation:
The American Red Cross is seeking donations (and blood).
American Red Cross National Headquarters
431 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
http://www.redcross.org/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane
The Salvation Army is collecting monetary donations
The Salvation Army National Headquarters
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313
http://www.salvationarmy.org
Samaritans Purse has an on-going relief program in Texas.
Samaritan’s Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Over the coming months, it is anticipated that collection points will be established where clothing, electronics, and household goods will be gathered for distribution to the needy in the impacted area. That jacket you have outgrown or the pots and pans that you stored in the garage may be just the thing one of the hurricane victim needs.
At this point, the emphasis is on providing rescue and relief. We will share any information we get about efforts to help victims establish new households as it becomes available.
Jesus said, “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42
The people in Texas have had more water than they ever hoped for, but the bottles of water and other donations we provide may just give them hope.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 