POST PANDEMIC - FEEDING CONTINUES!
"For the poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good." Mark 14:7
FEEDING CONTINUES: While the spread of covid 19 has slowed significantly, the hunger and poverty that it caused has not. Millions in India were destitute even before the pandemic, but as the pandemic brought a halt to many businesses and government projects, millions more joined their ranks.
RESPONSE INCREASED: Covenant Family Churches, has responded to the increased demand, buying additional tons of food, prepared thousands of meals, and distributed these from vehicles, local churches, motorcycle deliveries to first responders, and door-to-door canvasing in poor areas. LOCAL FUNDING: CFC is also finding funding partners in their own communities, from those who recognize their impact. |
UNPRECEDENTED FAVOR!
CFC has taken extraordinary measures to sustain the poor, especially in the larger cities. In recognition of this service, the state government is funding the construction of a 1,500 square foot dining hall on church property in Purulia to help facilitate their ongoing feeding program. The government plans include a roof and 3' tall perimeter walls but with additional funding from Compassion Way, the walls will be extended to a full ten feet enabling the space to double as a signicantly larger meeting place for the church, which has, until now, been woefully inadequate. Construction has begun (below).
CFC has taken extraordinary measures to sustain the poor, especially in the larger cities. In recognition of this service, the state government is funding the construction of a 1,500 square foot dining hall on church property in Purulia to help facilitate their ongoing feeding program. The government plans include a roof and 3' tall perimeter walls but with additional funding from Compassion Way, the walls will be extended to a full ten feet enabling the space to double as a signicantly larger meeting place for the church, which has, until now, been woefully inadequate. Construction has begun (below).
What's Next? Clinics, Hospitals, Schools!
If the pandemic has done nothing else, it has emphasized the need for far greater access to healthcare in India. Outside of major cities, healthcare options are extremely limited and, in many rural areas, non-existent. The recent resurgence in new strains of Covid 19 underscore the lack of basic medical supplies and equipment, such as oxygen and respirators. The other looming need is for more and better education options, again with an emphasis on the rural areas and poor inner-city communities. So many people are marginalized in India. So many live on the fringes of society. This cycle can be broken through education. No one organization, including Compassion Way, can remedy these ills but we can begin to make a difference going forward.
In light of that we are striving to look beyond subsistence giving. Of course, we will continue to support the ministries to the poor, our water projects, our child development centers, and help revive the dozens of training programs and projects that have been suspended during the pandemic. These things comprise 'true religion' according to the book of James. But we will be raising our faith to fund bigger projects in the future, projects such as medical clinics; hospitals; rural schools open to all; reliable, well-equipped ambulance service to under-served areas; vocational training centers. Such 'centers for serving' can provide hope and a future for generations to come. Plans are already in the works for entrepreneurial grants to fund new businesses, with five grants planned in the near future. So often, Christ started his encounters with people by sweeping away their distractions; sickness, hunger, and oppression of the enemy. The door was then open for God to lift people up and equip them to bless others. CFC is following this example in their corner of India.
In light of that we are striving to look beyond subsistence giving. Of course, we will continue to support the ministries to the poor, our water projects, our child development centers, and help revive the dozens of training programs and projects that have been suspended during the pandemic. These things comprise 'true religion' according to the book of James. But we will be raising our faith to fund bigger projects in the future, projects such as medical clinics; hospitals; rural schools open to all; reliable, well-equipped ambulance service to under-served areas; vocational training centers. Such 'centers for serving' can provide hope and a future for generations to come. Plans are already in the works for entrepreneurial grants to fund new businesses, with five grants planned in the near future. So often, Christ started his encounters with people by sweeping away their distractions; sickness, hunger, and oppression of the enemy. The door was then open for God to lift people up and equip them to bless others. CFC is following this example in their corner of India.