urgent request for prayer and an opportunity to give compassionately to Afghanistan
>
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
During a prayer call last winter, an in-country believer in Afghanistan shared how cold they were. In this nation, the average temperature in January is 30°F (-1°C), usually with freezing nights, and possible peak temperatures of -4/-13°F (-20/-25°C). Snowfalls are fairly frequent and sometimes heavy. In the West, most people have reliable electricity and can turn on a heater to get warm. However, in Afghanistan, the electricity is typically unreliable—going out often, working poorly or not working at all. Can you imagine living in sub-zero weather without a reliable heat source? To add to the challenge of staying warm, many of the homes cannot hold in the heat even if it is available and reliable. And some do not even have housing—not even a tent—let alone a heater or firewood to stay safe and warm during the winter.
In addition, fighting, violence, poverty and unemployment also threaten the lives of thousands of Afghans, with 42 percent living below the poverty line and 30 percent lacking sufficient food. According to the nation’s State Ministry on Natural Disaster, over a million impoverished Afghans are at serious risk of starvation and in need of other humanitarian assistance this winter. An alarmingly high percentage of this population consists of widows—estimated at 2 million—and orphans, who most often live in dire situations. Recent reports estimate between 100,000-200,000 children grow up without parents. According to Afghan custom, children are considered orphans if their fathers die. As a result, most of them end up on the streets.
Sources: Tolo News / Village of Peace
As another winter approaches, GCM recognizes the opportunity to help widows and orphans— accessing people who would normally be difficult to reach—by serving them with blankets and heating supplies. We seek your partnership to help 100 widowed and orphaned families by sending funds into the nation to workers who can buy supplies and deliver them directly to those in need. For approximately $22,500 USD, we can provide three months of assistance for 500 to 600 people. That breaks down to $75 per month for an average family of five.
If you would like to support those in need inside Afghanistan this winter, please give now to GCM and choose the fund “Afghanistan Winter Relief.” We will urgently get the funds to our disciple makers who will compassionately serve these widows and orphans in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Starters
Please pray today for believers inside this nation to have many opportunities to show Jesus’ love and compassion in impactful ways to those in need. May God grant them access to hard to reach people during this upcoming winter, bringing needed supplies but most importantly the love and hope of Christ. Pray especially for protection from the violent atmosphere and extreme winter conditions.
>
“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.”
Please give today and help keep afghans warm this upcoming winter.