WE WISH THAT EVERY DAY would bring good weather, perfect health and safe neighborhoods. But our world is full of unpredictability and sometimes disasters come. Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and disease are part of the fabric of this world. Each time a child of God suffers, the body of Christ (the Church) is called to reach out in Jesus’ name to assist.
The Moravian Disaster Response (MDR) Fund is supported by congregations and members of the Moravian congregations who respond to our appeals when our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are suffering.
In the past year, we have helped to fund hurricane relief efforts in St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, the Bahamas, flood relief to Malawi, and support following a devastating fire in the Moravian Village of Wupperthal, South Africa. Closer to home, we have helped to support. four mission team trips to help with rebuilding efforts following the hurricanes in Wilmington and Burgaw, N.C., and sent funding to provide relief following the fires in California.
As this report was being written, the Board of World Mission extended $13,500 in grants to 58 North American congregations and agencies to help with unexpected expenses in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many congregations used these funds to purchase Zoom subscriptions and computer upgrades to help them put their worship services online. Others have used the grants to cover added mailing costs or to bolster food pantry stocks for neighbors in need.
This work would not be possible without the generosity of congregations and individuals being compassionate givers to the MDR Fund. We continue to ask for your support because these disasters will only continue. We ask that your gifts be made to the fund itself, and not to a specific area, so that we can mobilize funds to where they are most needed at the moment.
As we have all learned, emergencies happen. Most of them happen quickly and without warning. The Board of World Mission’s Moravian Disaster Relief Fund is trying to prepare in advance for disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other unplanned events. When we have funds in our account, we are able to respond quickly to our partners when they need our support the most. Would you consider a recurring donation to the Board of World Mission to help us be prepared for the next disaster? Please visit www.moravian.org/mission/give for further information on how you can become a donor.
