In the middle of so much earthly uncertainty, we can be certain of God’s love for us all. It was God’s love for sinners that led Him to send His only Son to pay for the sins of mankind. And it is that same sacrificial love that we look to for hope when so many things in this world seem to offer anything but hope.
Our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world have suffered greatly due to the coronavirus lockdowns that have been enacted to varying degrees throughout most of the world. Many of the church bodies we work with are found in impoverished and developing nations. Many of the pastors and believers in these countries support their families and ministries through day labor, where if you don’t work you don’t get paid. As a consequence, many of our brothers and sisters have been struggling to provide the very basic necessities of life for themselves and their families.
When the CLC Board of Missions and the Kinship Committee learned of these struggles, it was an easy decision to send to financial assistance. COVID-19 Aid was sent to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Mexico, Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
The support that was sent was not enough to assist everyone. However, it was received with much appreciation from church leaders, especially as it allowed them to help those who had immediate needs.
In addition to the struggles relating to coronavirus, cyclone Amphan hit the southern coast of Bangladesh in May, bringing severe destruction to several Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission congregations. BLCM church buildings, schools, and homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. Thankfully, there was no loss of life among the members of the BLCM, but many sustained injuries and needed medical care. Again, the decision to help was easy. Kinship disaster relief funds were sent to Bangladesh to provide for basic needs, shelter, and medical care.
If you would like to help replenish the Kinship fund so that we, as a body of believers, can be ready to respond again when there is a need, offerings can be made through your local congregation or sent directly to the following address:
CLC Kinship Fund
501 Grover Rd
Eau Claire WI 54701
Praise be to our Savior Who loved us and offered Himself for us. It is because of His self-sacrificing love for us that we, in turn, love one another. What a privilege it is to serve Him by serving others!
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
Todd Ohlmann is a full-time visiting missionary for the Church of the Lutheran Confession.