If not for you

Since mid-March, Pastor William Agbeti in Ghana has worked tirelessly organizing volunteers, buying foodstuffs and delivering them to: “those who would not have received any help, even from Government, as they have fallen through the cracks in society; the poorest of the poor, the littlest of the least, the totally hopeless, including orphaned children, widows, disabled persons, and others negatively impacted by COVID-19 such that they are unable to fend for themselves and their families.” One of our volunteers summed it up: “The biggest problem facing the poor and needy in our area now is hunger. Without the Ministry’s intervention, it’s likely many poor souls are going to die of hunger.”

I often write about the Christian response to crisis-that we are to be the light of Christ shining through the darkness. Daily Jot readers have stepped into that light and have saved lives. Between March and April, donations to this ministry helped feed over 1,000 people for a week at a time in Ghana. We have a life-saving partnership with Pastor Agbeti, indeed a life-giving enterprise because we are feeding the most underserved and marginalized with not only food, but also with the Word of God. Those of you who have read The Daily Jot and have prayed and have donated have responded well because you likely have saved lives. Think of how we were here in America when the lockdown came and try to put yourself in the shoes of those who were barely surviving day to day. I say, “If not for you…”

Pastor Agbeti writes: “In the wake of COVID-19, POSITIVE has become the most NEGATIVE word in human history. The number of positive cases related to the CORONAVIRUS pandemic in Ghana keeps rising in leaps and bounds. As at the time of writing this story, Ghana has officially clocked 2,164 positive cases, with over 1,000 new cases in just the past week. This may call for another lockdown. Already, our Ministry is stretched thin in answering distress calls for foodstuffs from individuals and families. Another lockdown is going to make matters worse. Coupled with this is the issue of price gouging, many foodstuffs become cost prohibitive.

“The enormity of the situation cannot and should not weigh us down to stop providing free foodstuffs to those who need it most. We must continue to express the love of G-d in tangible ways to the needy.  In times like this, it takes hearts touched by G-d to honor and glorify Him, to deliver help, to spread love and to show compassion. “Finally, brethren”, as Philippians 4:8 rightly puts it, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.””  Our work is not finished. If not for you…