Nov. 7, 2007 - The Christian Reformed Church is working with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, the CRC's largest partner in Mexico, to provide aid to families affected by severe flooding in the city of Villahermosa.
The response consists of an initial relief package of $10,000 from the Christian Reformed World Relief (CRWRC) and World Missions (CRWM) agencies. CRWRC is attempting to raise an additional $90,000.
"We [the CRC] don't have any work in that area, but we're helping the National Presbyterian Church (NPC) make a response," said Scott Geurink, leader of the CRWM Mexico team.
"There's just a tremendous need, because a lot of families from the NPC had to go to shelters, and most church buildings have become shelters."
For its part, the National Presbyterian Church asked its more than 1 million members to take a special offering for congregations in the flooded area this past weekend.
"They sent out a memo asking for money and set up a special bank account," Geurink said. They also had a national, 60th anniversary celebration planned for Nov. 22, and they canceled it so they could focus effort and money on relief."
Other Christian partners have also stepped up to help. The Reformed Presbyterian Church's synod has sent money to the affected congregations and a pastors' association in Yucatan has responded with support.
"We had an emergency collection, among the pastor members and collected $3200 pesos (about $320 USD)," said CRWM missionary John Wind. "But we're working on sending three large water filters down there that have seven internal filters. You can take the dirtiest water you can think of and make it drinkable."
The flooding in Tabasco state has been described as Mexico's worst natural disaster in recent history.
To donate to CRWRC's response in Mexico, send donations marked "Mexico Floods 2007" to CRWRC in Canada at 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070, STN LCD 1, Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8; in the U.S. mail to 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Mich, 49560. Or donate online at www.crwrc.org <http://www.crwrc.org/> .
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Henry Hess
Director of Communication
Christian Reformed Church
To learn more about the Christian Reformed Church visit us at www.crcna.org <http://www.crcna.org
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