Over the past few days we have seen tragedies rock the globe, specifically, the overthrow of the Afghan government, the earthquake that struck Haiti, and, in our own province, the quick-starting fires that continue to ravage the interior of BC. We mourn the lives lost in both nations and our home region. We lament the ongoing fear, chaos, and struggle that these tragedies rain onto peoples dearly loved by God. We raise fervent prayers and petitions for the people of Haiti, the people of Afghanistan, and the people of the Okanagan region – we pray for justice and we pray for peace; we pray for steady and extinguishing rain; we seek guidance, with open hearts and listening ears, for the ways that we can assist physically and financially, for ways we can open our doors to the displaced; and for the ways that we can give voice to and elevate the voiceless. Please join the Emmanuel community in prayer for the people of Haiti, Afghanistan, and the Okanagan, and for our world. Lord, hear our prayers.

___

“Let we, your children, be those who would respond to unspeakable events by immediately seeking your face and petitioning your mercies, then offering relief, rendering aid, practicing hospitality and love of neighbor, working for justice, for peace, for reconciliation, and for the greater flourishing of our communities and our nation and our world.” (Every Moment Holy)

Ways that you can respond to each of these crises with your hands…

Haiti:
World Relief (Covenant World Relief & Development partner): https://worldrelief.org/respond/#current
Tearfund Canada https://tearfund.ca/haitiearthquake/

Afghanistan:
World Relief (Covenant World Relief & Development partner): https://worldrelief.org/respond/#current
Women for Afghan Women https://womenforafghanwomen.networkforgood.com/projects/123748-20-years-of-afghan-women-strong
Canada Immigration Refugees and Citizenship https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/volunteer-donate.html

BC Fires:
CanadaHelps Wildfire Relief Centre https://www.canadahelps.org/en/donate-to-charities-responding-to-the-british-columbia-wildfires/