WYG Update: brethren in crisis in California, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Vanuatu

In addition to providing grants for service projects, our Within Your Gates program also keeps brethren informed on urgent needs around the Church of God and point them in the direction of how to help!

Urgent prayers are needed for brethren in Southern California, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Vanuatu. More details for each situation are below:

Wildfires in Southern California

Several have died and thousands have been displaced by the Pacific Palisades wildfires in Southern California. Brethren have also been affected with many being evacuated and a number having lost their homes as well.

We are continuing to monitor this situation and will update everyone if there are ways to contribute or serve brethren affected by the fires.

Drought Conditions in Malawi & Zimbabwe

Brethren in Malawi and Zimbabwe are facing severe drought conditions. In Malawi the drought has affected brethren most in rural areas. Some financial help has been sent to provide food aid and farm inputs (seed and fertilizer) for the brethren in Nkhwazi.

In Zimbabwe, the dry conditions have affected the food supply where many people (including most of the brethren) are subsistence farmers. In the village of Chemba where UCG has about 45 brethren, some families are eating only one small meal per day to try and conserve food supplies. The drought has also affected water levels in many wells and hydroelectric generation.

If you’re looking to contribute to these needs, click here to give to UCG’s Good Works.

Earthquake in Vanuatu

On Tuesday, December 17th, a massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck 30 kms west of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. At least 14 people are dead, with many more missing, and the damage to roads and buildings has been immense. LCG has made contact with some of their 35 members in Port Vila, some of whom have experienced minor damage to their homes, but they have not been able to contact all members yet.

The country has been embroiled in political instability over the past few years with coalition governments falling every few months, and the current government is on the brink of collapse. Now with the recent earthquake, the foreseeable future in Vanuatu is going to be difficult. Prayers for our brethren in Vanuatu would be appreciated.

Click here to donate to LCG.