Somebody Cares continues helping survivors of the Turkey earthquakes that occurred in February.
“Thank you for bringing what we need,” the woman said through tears. Living in a tent camp with 45 other families after losing her home in the February earthquake, our Turkish church partner was the first group to bring warm weather clothes specifically for Muslim women. “You are first to bring something I can actually wear,” she said.
The church has been bringing teams to this camp, occupied by Turkish and Syrian residents, every two weeks. On their last visit, they also brought fans, baby clothes, sunscreen, mosquito spray, food, laundry detergent, water filters, and more. Three other tent camps also received supplies, for a total of 100 families. All of this was purchased with funding from SCA/I.
With government support ending and NGOs pulling out, local churches are among the only organizations now offering assistance. Next week, our partner will bring small stoves, also purchased with SCA/I funds, to the camp for each family because the government is ending meal distribution there.
“You are the only ones left still helping,” many have said to Pastor Y, the church’s pastor. “You are not from our faith, but you still adopted us. We are so grateful.”
“We are really making an impact,” Pastor Y added. “Many are reading the Bible or listening to audio Bibles.”
LIFTING UP THE LOCAL CHURCH
One weekend, a team from the church went to a pastor’s house in Antakya. “We heard they had not had a time of corporate worship and prayer for the past four months so we took the whole crew!” Pastor Y explained. “We had a time of worship with them and prayed for them afterward.”
Another church Pastor Y and her teams have partnered with in the earthquake zone was down to two families due to deaths and people moving away. Now they are “scrambling” to find rides for everyone who wants to attend their Sunday services, she said, adding: “Five people already gave their hearts to the Lord!”
Please continue to pray for the people of Turkey; for strength and encouragement for those who are meeting the long-term needs; and for many more to hear and receive the Good News of the Gospel.
Your generous gift today will enable us to continue our ongoing efforts in Turkey and Syria, as well as our long-term response to Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida; the tornadoes in Arkansas and Mississippi; and our daily outreach and ministry initiatives.
Thank you for caring!