I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.
1 Corinthians Ch 1, v 4 & 5:
Hope in times of crisis
We have all seen the news of the devastating war in Ukraine. We hear heart-breaking stories of people fleeing violence, not knowing when they’ll see their loved ones again (Christian Aid is actively supporting partners ‘on the ground’).
In Zimbabwe, where Christian Aid is also working, there is another crisis – the climate crisis – which is causing drought, hunger and great anguish to many families already facing poverty. You can see more of this in the YouTube clip about Janet and her family https://youtu.be/XBqjjfRaRHk
Even though there is 5,000 miles between them, the two countries are inter-connected: the war in Ukraine is escalating food prices in Zimbabwe and around the globe. Ukraine and Russia produce large amounts of the world’s fertiliser and food, like wheat and cooking oil and without them, vulnerable families are being pushed even deeper into hunger.
But hope does not disappoint. Hope lives in us. Every prayer, every gift, every action brings hope to people facing disaster, from conflict to climate chaos. The focus of Christian Aid Week this year is to help women like Janet buy seeds and equipment to provide food - and hope - for their families.
As Christians let us come together in Christian Aid Week to pray, to collect (if you have an hour to spare, do join the Dorking Churches Together High Street Collection Team), to give and be thankful for the opportunity to help and to share hope with our sisters and brothers facing crisis around the world, from Ukraine to Zimbabwe.
As Graham highlighted in his preaching last Sunday we are the church - God’s church. How blessed we are in all that God gives to us:
1 Corinthians Ch 1, v 4 & 5: I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way - in all your speaking and in all your knowledge - because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.
God bless and thank you.
John Arnold
Christian Aid Week runs from 15th - 21st May. This year we will not be collecting door-to-door collections as has been done in previous years. Instead, it has been arranged with MVDC to hold a street collection in Dorking, on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st. We urgently need volunteers to help with the collection, and hence if you think you can spare an hour or two please contact Elizabeth Dobson emddh7@hotmail.com
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