October 3, 2017

 

Dear Friends,

Hurricane Harvey ravages Texas, Hurricane Irma slams into Florida, multiple earthquakes strike Mexico – all resulting in hundreds of casualties…and then Hurricane Maria devastates Puerto Rico.  Now, the dreadful news of a horrific mass murder in Las Vegas!  What in the world is going on?

The Psalmist understood this quite well: Psalm 60: 2-5 states “You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.  You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.  But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.  Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.”

As a ministry, Hope Force International has had the terrible privilege of being a part of the tangible right hand of God – providing help and inspiring hope in desperate times.  We are being stretched and feel the strain like never before, serving in the two Mexico earthquakes, and both Texas and Florida.  We are more aware than ever how much we need God to be fully involved in all we do; how we do it…where and when.

Puerto Rico is in desperate need of help.  Their situation is compounded by the fatigue of responding agencies, government and ministries.  As you know, this is complicated even further by the infrastructure and the fact that it is an island.  Most traditional disaster response efforts are delayed until aspects of the infrastructure are restored – including the ability to accommodate the distribution of relief supplies.

Hope Force International is taking steps to help.  We are reaching out to our ministry partners to ascertain the most effective and efficient way to offer assistance, given the constraints that confront us.   We anticipate that in the weeks and months ahead, recovery and rebuilding efforts will take precedence.  This will require a unique level of logistical operations, financial wherewithal and numerous skilled and non-skilled volunteers…as well as dedicated partnerships.

When the world is unraveling, we must turn to the One who is immovable, unshakable and who promised to be an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Please join us in working and praying hard as we take steps to do the most good possible – as quickly as possible.