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07730 November 8, 2007
PDA sends funds to Mexico to help flood victims
Kirkpatrick expresses concern for rain-drenched region
by Evan Silverstein Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE - Hoping to ease suffering from one of Mexico's largest natural disasters in recent history, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has sent $30,000 in aid to the flood-soaked state of Tabasco.
The money, from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds, was forwarded to the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico (INPM) to purchase bottled water, food and bedding for emergency shelters.
Six INPM presbyteries are housing more than 1,000 people forced from their homes in Tabasco after days of heavy rains last week put most of the low-lying, oil-rich state under several feet of water.
Some 1.3 million people have been directly affected by flooding with major damage to water and sanitation infrastructure, crops and livestock, according to a PDA situation report issued Nov. 6.
PDA, the disaster-response and relief agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), estimated that more than 700,000 homes are underwater.
Meanwhile, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the PC(USA)'s General Assembly, expressed his support for flood victims in a letter sent to INPM's president, the Rev. Saul Feria.
"We are remembering you in our prayers as you race around the clock to minister directly to the countless needs arising from the situation . . . ," Kirkpatrick wrote in the letter, dated Nov. 7.
Kirkpatrick compared the level of devastation in Tabasco to that of Hurricane Katrina, which decimated the United States Gulf Coast in 2005.
The PDA situation report said the Mexican Presbyterian church is considering canceling its General Assembly in order to divert the savings for humanitarian response in Tabasco, which is located on Mexico's tropical Gulf Coast.
A team of PDA disaster specialists in Central America is poised to assist with assessment and response planning, but cannot move into the impacted areas until floodwaters recede, PDA said.
PDA has established a special account for financial contributions and posted a Mexico flooding bulletin insert on its Web site.
Contributions for Mexico flood relief may be sent through normal mission-giving channels by designating gifts for the following account: Mexico-DR000014. Gifts by credit card can be made by calling PresbyTel at (800)872-3283, or by visiting the PDA Web site. Checks payable to the PC(USA) can be mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) , Individual Remittance Processing, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 or to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Central Receiving Services, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
The full text of Kirkpatrick's letter to the INPM president (with copies to the denomination's secretary, the Rev. Samuel Trinidad, and to the Rev. Danny Ramirez, INPM's treasurer):
Dear Reverend Feria,
On behalf of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I want you to know of our heartfelt prayers and concern for you and the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico in the wake of the disastrous flooding in the area of Tabasco.
The level of devastation in Tabasco is being compared to that of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005. To have more than 1.3 million people affected directly out of a total of 2.4 million inhabitants is staggering.
We are remembering you in our prayers as you race around the clock to minister directly to the countless needs arising from the situation-providing shelter and sustenance to thousands of victims, helping to control the outbreak of disease, and so much more. How grateful we are to learn that the Mexican government officials are welcoming the work of your disaster committee in these massive efforts.
The Presbyterian family is worldwide. We pray that our common bond in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives you hope and comfort in these present, difficult days.
May you also draw comfort from the words of the Psalmist, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change ... though its waters roar and foam" (Ps. 46:1-3).
May the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, be yours this day and in the days ahead.
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