Send Relief Venezuelan Baptists continue to respond to the earthquake

Buildings were reduced to rubble when two earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24. Send Relief partners responded within 24 hours and are committed to continuing relief efforts. Send relief image

As the emergency response continues in Venezuela following the June earthquakes, Southern Baptists have been faithful in continued prayer and generosity. Last week, International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood joined a team on the ground at the invitation of Elier Romero, Director General of the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela (CNBV). Chitwood was joined by Jason Cox, Send Relief’s vice president of international ministry, Matt Waldraff, an IMB evangelist who serves as Send Relief’s area director for the Americas, and Mike Brungard, IMB’s staff leader for the Americas.

The team visited the affected areas in and around Caracas, the capital of Venezuela and one of the most affected areas. They have also witnessed Venezuelan Baptists serving their communities. Send Relief has been serving local churches in Venezuela since before the earthquakes, enabling a rapid response to the recent disaster through emergency funding and coordination. Relief dispatch partners were activated less than 24 hours after the earthquakes.

International Maritime Bureau Chief Paul Chitwood welcomes a man affected by recent earthquakes in Venezuela. While visiting affected areas in Caracas, Chitwood expressed his gratitude to the Southern Baptists who have been faithful in prayer and giving to provide ongoing relief efforts. Send relief image

“The death toll has already exceeded 3,500 people,” Chitwood said, standing among the rubble of demolished buildings. “There are thousands and thousands of people who have become homeless.” “It is an indescribable sight. Our response to this terrible devastation is called upon to bring compassion and assistance.”

Chitwood described the 75-year partnership with Venezuelan Baptist churches as key to an effective response.

“The IMO helped start the Venezuelan Baptist Convention,” he said. “There are now more than 700 of those churches here. Working alongside them, we provide a very practical response to the needs here: clean water, meals, emergency shelters, and most importantly, the hope of the Gospel.”

IMB Chief Paul Chitwood meets with Venezuelan Baptists before visiting affected sites in Caracas. IMO missionary Matt Waldraff (to Chitwood’s right), who serves as the Americas Relief Mission Area Director, and Jason Cox (to Waldrav’s right), who serves as IMO Relief Mission Vice President, immediately began coordinating post-earthquake relief efforts. Send relief image

Even in the shadow of the devastation, Cox said, he has seen the commitment of local Baptist churches to serve their neighbors, while also serving each other in this time of loss.

“These churches are serving while they themselves are experiencing grief and trauma,” Cox said. “Yesterday I met and prayed with a pastor who lost his son and granddaughter in the rubble. It was heartbreaking – but he was there, still doing what he could to serve his community.”

A local ministry team told the story of a man they met in a public square in Caracas. He was the only survivor in his family. The only “home” he had was the piece of cardboard he slept on. The team immediately responded to his needs with some basic supplies, including a tent to use as shelter. They took time to share the hope of Jesus Christ and tell Him about their church.

A few days later, he walked for hours to find the church. On Sunday, July 5, he declared his faith in Jesus, surrounded by his new family of faith. Since then, he has served alongside the church, even returning to the square where he once slept to minister to others still sleeping on leftovers and praying to survive another night.

Even in the shadow of devastation, the stories of hope and strength are clear, Waldraff explained.

“In every location we visited, we found the same pattern: People who had every reason to give up were instead looking for someone they could help next,” Waldraf said. “This resilience is nothing new. It’s the same faith these churches have been building on for decades, and it’s now on full display.”

Clouds of dust from collapsed buildings surround International Maritime Bureau Chief Paul Chitwood as he monitors damage caused by two earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela. Chitwood urges continued aid to Send Relief as partners on the ground prepare for long-term disaster response. Send relief image

Chitwood called for continued giving to disaster relief efforts.

“I want to invite you to join us in this response, to join us in praying for those who are suffering in unimaginable ways,” he said. “Join us by donating generously to our ongoing relief efforts.”

Donate now at sendrelief.org.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos