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The children are on the front line of famine
conditions in Malawi and Mozambique. Unfortunately, orphans are
the ones that are suffering most. It has been reported that there
are more and more malnourished babies in the villages.
 Word
was received in October and again today, Nov.1, from Malawi of a
severe shortage of food. Many of our brothers and sisters in Africa
are going hungry.
Bro. Master, speaking for Bro. Failos, told me that about 50% of the
people are hungry. They just arrived back to Malawi from a trip to
Mozambique. After finding many people in the congregations hungry,
they decided they would call this office again, not knowing what
else to do.
Today, upon receiving word of the ever-increasing
problem, I did some independent checking. I found that U.N.
representatives from Malawi are stating that Malawi is in the worst
food crisis ever. Mozambique is in the fourth year of drought and
Malawi is in the second consecutive bad crop season. There is a
rapidly deteriorating food supply especially in the southern regions
- where many of the saints live. Here, many house-holds have run out
of food. Maize prices in the local markets are continuing to rise
and sometimes it is not even available. When it is, it is very
expensive. These famine conditions are due to drought and extensive
crop failure.
In the United States, most of us do not know what it means to truly
be hungry. Most of us have been blessed beyond measure with
sufficient food to eat. So, what can we do and what should we do?
The scripture gives sufficient answer. "If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give
them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it
profit?" James 2:15-16
Last month this office sent $750 from the Africa Fund to
Malawi/Mozambique for maize and another $1000 today. This is a drop
in the bucket to the need that our African brethren have. Bro.
Failos of Msikita Village has proven to be trustworthy of handling
funds in the past. In addition to prayers, the best way we can be of
help, for the present distress, is to send money for the purchase of
maize. This office will oversee the disbursement of these funds. 100
percent of the designated donations will be used for the purchase of
food. The money will be sent by Western Union so as to expedite the
eventual distribution of food to the hungry.
If you are burdened to help with this need, your tax-deductible
donation can be sent to LARTFO, 7298 Park Terrace Dr. N.E.; Keizer, OR
97303. Designate your donation "Food for Africa."
May God bless you as you help feed the hungry. As you are led by the
Spirit, share this need with others around you. "Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me." Matthew 25:40.
In the Lord,
Bro. Michael Smith |
