Your impact in 2019: Responding in times of crisis

When disaster struck in 2019, you were there.

This year, Hurricane Dorian decimated the Bahamas, and it was unlike anything people there had experienced before. The winds screamed and the rain fell as people prayed for survival.

Many described it as the scariest moment of their lives. But nothing compared to the devastation they faced once the storm died down.

Thankfully, you were there to help. In 2019, you helped meet the needs of 360,644 people around the world by responding quickly in times of crisis and by shipping lifesaving aid to families living in poverty. You helped send emergency food, water, medical supplies, clothing, blankets, and so much more.

Here’s a quick look at how you helped rescue people during 2019:

Hurricane Dorian made landfall on a Sunday — a day that Pastor Donald from Spanish Wells will never forget. They had chosen to cancel services that morning. Although Spanish Wells wasn’t in as much danger as some of the neighboring islands, it was still too dangerous to ask church members to leave their homes.

Instead, Pastor Donald spent the day in prayer asking for the safety of his fellow Bahamians.

When Hurricane Dorian passed, Pastor Donald and his congregation set up a shelter at their church for those who had been left homeless and were evacuating from other parts of the country. And thanks to your generosity, these families — who had lost everything — had food, water, clothing, and other supplies waiting for them when they arrived.

“We set up a distribution center where people could come in and basically shop for their needs,” Donald shared. “It’s been a good spot for them to come and fellowship. They look forward to this.”

Your gifts have made their temporary living situations feel more like home.

“They break down and cry and hug you,” Donald said as he described people’s responses to the aid. “They say, ‘You just don’t know what this means.’”

In addition to responding during disasters, you also helped all year long by shipping critical supplies to people living in some of the world’s most impoverished places.

Up until a few years ago, there were only 20 dialysis machines in the entire country of Guatemala! Around 24,000 people were dying annually because they lacked access to dialysis care — but the local hospitals simply couldn’t afford the equipment.

Once again, you stepped up … and delivered over 65 dialysis machines in the last few years not only to Guatemala but also to Uganda, Zambia, and Honduras. By meeting this urgent and practical need, you helped save countless lives.

In 2019, you brought help and hope to so many people during the worst moments of their lives. And in 2020, you can continue to do so by making a monthly gift to help where needed most.

Even though we’re already a week into the new year, it’s not too late to make this your resolution for 2020. Think about it — you can help save more lives like those of the people in the Bahamas or in Guatemala every single month!

Every $8 you give is enough to provide lifesaving help and hope to one person. And when you multiply that over the course of a year, you will have touched so many lives.

When hurricanes and other natural disasters hit, you will be right there to help. When refugees are forced from their homes, your gift will help provide basic necessities they had to leave behind. When Christians are persecuted for their faith, your gift provides encouragement and strength through God’s Word. And you don’t even have to worry about remembering to make a donation since you can sign up for automatic monthly giving.

Plus, as a monthly giver you’ll receive regular updates about people you are helping rescue around the globe.

You’ve already helped rescue so many people, and we can’t thank you enough for that. Now, will you continue being the hands and feet of Jesus on the ground in 2020? It will be the best resolution you make all year.