The Covid-19 Crisis in India
(Read Time 3 mins 30 secs)
We have our Missionary Ventures (MV) Field Administrator who lives in Hyderabad in South India. He coordinates a network of Christian leaders and churches in the region and we have been communicating recently about how things are ‘on the ground’ in the communities. He explained that the lockdown came very suddenly on 25 March and that most people had little time to prepare. Many of the workers are paid daily or weekly and, with no Government ‘safety net’ in place, have literally no income to provide for their families. Internal migrants to the cities are desperately trying to reach their hometowns and villages but with little or no
public transport they are forced to walk hundreds of miles. Families are already starting to go hungry. Covid-19 cases are on the rise but the healthcare and reporting systems are not great and the actual spread of the disease may well be much greater than the statistics are saying. What is clear is that there is an emerging serious health and economic crisis.
But in the middle of this dark situation there is a chink of light. MV with our India Field Administrator have identified 500 of the most vulnerable families and would like to reach out to them with a package of essential food and hygiene items (including the inevitable large bag of rice!) This is not just humanitarian aid we are talking about. It will open doors for the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ by demonstrating His unconditional love. Many of the packages will go directly into Hindu or Muslim homes. We are believing and praying that hearts will be opened and that many will turn to Christ as a result.
The packages will be delivered personally (and hopefully safely) by the local churches and will cost around £20 each so our target is to raise a daunting £10,000! Our MV colleagues in the USA have already generously committed $2,000 (about £1,600) and others have already made pledges, so we are well on the way!
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in India to remain steadfast, strong and protected in their own situations. Also please consider a donation to feed one or more families in some of the poorest communities. You can do this by filling the form below or clicking here https://mvgb.org.uk/give/give-project/, by an online bank transfer to MV (Sort Code 201003, Account No 10575828) or by sending a cheque payable to Missionary Ventures, PO Box 741, Rochdale OL16 9QD. In each case please make sure you state ‘India Appeal’ as the reference.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important message and may the LORD protect you and keep you in these challenging times.
With Love,
Darren and Sue Mitzi (MV Great Britain Directors)
Luther and Sandy Meier (MVI)
Viv Penfold and Rob Carter (MVGB Champions for India)
