We have all read or seen the news about Pakistan. News resources say that more than 1500 people are dead and at least 700.000 homes are damaged or destroyed. More than 3.5 million are at very high risk of water borne diseases and in excess of 6 million people are dependent on food aid. More than 20 million people have been affected by the floods, which is more than the combined total of the 2004 Tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The Elder board, Staff members and Mission Committee feel we need to respond to this crisis. Please pray for the survivors and those delivering emergency aid. We would also like to support the people in need in a practical way. This coming Sunday a collection will be organized to support the emergency relief in Pakistan.

As a mission committee we have chosen to support the Dutch Christian relief organisation Woord&Daad (www.woordendaad.nl) and Open Doors (www.opendoors.nl). Woord&Daad (W&D) is the same organisation that helped us respond to the Haiti earthquake. For the Pakistan Flood relief efforts W&D is partnering with various other Dutch Christian NGOs, such as Red een Kind, Tear, ZOA Vluchtelingenzorg and Dorcas.

In Pakistan W&D is responding to the floods through the local organization Interfaith League Against Poverty (ILAP). I-LAP is a non-governmental organization in Pakistan which aims to empower the poor in neglected squatter areas and rural underdeveloped areas. I-LAP has extensive experience with capacity building, education, water & sanitation and disaster response.

Open Doors in Pakistan will focus on Christians who are usually sidelined in those communities and now even more during the relief efforts. Open Doors current estimate suggests at least 1500 Christian families are in immediate need for help. It expects that the number of Christians in need will reach 10.000. It works through local churches to provide people with practical things like food, clothes and medical items.

A collection will be organized this Sunday and dedicated for this purpose. You can also give towards this purpose by making a bank transfer directly to Crossroads (ABN-AMRO: 52.97.95.329). When doing so, please indicate that it is designated for “Pakistan”. Donations will be accepted through the end of September.

Prayer Items:

The local organisations ask us to pray for the following:
- A quick response of the government and the international community to tackle the current critical situation.
- Proficient care for the injured people.
- The people of Pakistan who lost their houses their income and their loved ones.
- For a swift end to the disaster and that relief would be delivered quickly to those in need.
- For protection for Christians at this tense time.
-For opportunities for Christians to demonstrate the love of God even in these extreme circumstances.