As you have likely seen in the national media, Asia is facing very challenging days due to a resurgence of COVID-19. In one of Asia’s largest countries, a number of Alliance members have been ill or have passed away due to COVID. In another country, parts of the capital city have been declared “red zones” where no one can go in or out—at times even to buy food. In a third country, internal political conflicts have added incredible challenges to an already stretching situation when just several months ago it was only the pandemic to worry about.
Many have lost their livelihoods as factories have been shuttered or day laborers no longer have an income. Even in the best of times pre-pandemic, the marginalized lived from day to day. Church members have used their savings for medical bills, and some are being evicted from their simple homes because they are unable to pay rent. Many pastors have not received their salary due to churches being unable to meet and congregants becoming unemployed.
With this severe outbreak, CAMA partners on the ground are doing all they can to care for the sick, hungry, and grieving. As one partner notes, “The struggle, pain, and the helplessness of ordinary people are beyond description.”
CAMA has sent in initial $80,000 to advance the relief work of local believers who are serving in three ways:
- Running temporary medical care centers
- Feeding the marginalized
- Providing relief for Alliance church families
It’s a crucial time. Families are in urgent need of more food and medical supplies. Your gifts are needed to extend relief. A gift of $20 can feed a family for ten days.
How you can help:
GIVE
As mentioned above, CAMA has already sent $80K from CAMA Disaster Relief funds. But the needs far outweigh what this initial amount will provide. Because of these realities, a caring and generous donor has offered to match CAMA gifts for South Asia COVID relief until June 4—doubling your impact up to $100,000. Will you please consider giving to the Asia COVID-19 Outbreak Relief Fund in time for the June 4 match deadline?
PRAY
- For government authorities to handle the situation wisely so that the spread of the Coronavirus will be brought under control.
- For Alliance churches to be sensitive to the needs of small church pastors and evangelists who are already struggling during this pandemic.
- For the families of those Alliance pastors, leaders, and evangelists who are infected by the virus and unable to afford proper treatment either due to lack of finances or inaccessibility to proper medical facilities.
- For the urgent need for financial support during this time of crisis.
- For the needed system or avenue to assist Alliance leaders who are experiencing a crisis situation. Most are struggling without adequate resources to sustain themselves and their families. Alliance leaders need wisdom and grace to prayerfully plan to assist such needy families that have been affected by COVID.
- For seven Alliance evangelists who are serving in remote villages where their overall struggle is immense. During these past months, they have been restricted in their movements and are thus facing a huge financial struggle for their sustainability. One of the evangelists was evicted from his village, his house was destroyed, and he is in urgent need of shelter.
- For the widows of husbands who had been serving the Lord within The Alliance, who need immediate assistance to provide for their families during this crisis.
- For the situation at a Bible college in Asia, an Alliance initiative that is managed by a collaborative board. Both the board chairman and the principal have died of COVID. Some of the college staff are also reportedly infected and in need of medical treatment. In addition, the need to sustain the college administration and staff, as well as maintain the infrastructure, is urgent. Pray especially pray for the interim administrator of the college.
“Thank you so much for all the efforts you’re taking to help the people in my country,” an Alliance leader said. “We know that the Lord is in control and with the help of the global Alliance family we can overcome.”
from an Alliance worker in Asia