PROJECT HOPE GAZA
When JUST praying is JUST not enough.
According to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Israel has dropped more than 70,000 tonnes of explosives on the Gaza Strip since October 7, far surpassing the of Dresden, Hamburg, and London combined during World War ll. This has resulted in the deaths of more than 37,232 people, which includes 15,694 children 9,500 women, while nearly 85,037 people were injured and 17,000 children left with no parents.
But it is not just about the displacement and destruction. Al Jazeera reports that the war has also resulted in shortages of basic human necessities. The lack of food, medicine, fuel and gas, with a freezing winter approaching, could result in the deaths of thousands more. Hundreds across Gaza are being forced to share a limited number of toilets. In shelters in the south, where people are evacuating to, at least 600 displaced people share one toilet, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
How do we respond?
So, when is JUST praying JUST not enough?
The truth is, according to scripture, that prayer in itself is not enough if we neglect to act as answers to our own prayers. The Bible says we should lend our voice to injustice. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed." (Proverbs 31:8). Justice pleases the heart of God. An important Scripture to remember is Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To ACT justly and to LOVE mercy and to WALK humbly with your God."
God doesn't simply require words of intersession. He responds to hearts of compassion that leads to act of prayer. When we see individuals being mistreated, we must speak up. When we see entire ethnic groups and minorities being destroyed, on both sides of the spectrum, we must take action.
Israel and Gaza seem light years away from where we are. Not only in distance but especially in reality. Most of us do not know what it is like to see our children being dismembered before our eyes, either by a terrorist or by a bomb. Most of us do not know the anguish of seeking through rubble to find the body of a loved one. Most of us have not heard the bombs falling around us and wondering if we will be the next target.
But that shouldn't stop us from doing what we can. The Bible says, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." (James 4:17)
So don't just pray if you can do something for someone. Do what you can.
This is where we come in?
The desperate need in Gaza has left us at dia-LOGOS no option but to investigate every possible option to support the local Church to use this crisis as an opportunity to proclaim the Kingdom of a God of love.
One of the major ministries in the Palestinian Territories is the Bethlehem Bible College (BBC) in Bethlehem, in the West bank (https://bethbc.edu/) . We have been in touch with the BBC and sought guidance as to how we can strengthen the local church to provide relief in these challenging times.
We were encouraged to learn that through their charity: Shepherd Society, they are reaching out to the people in Gaza in tangible and practical ways. (https://shepherd-society.org/donations/gaza-donation/)
You can either donate directly to SHEPHERD SOCIETY
We were also grateful to learn that a local Christian relief ministry, CRN (https://crisisresponsenetwork.net/gaza/) has already partnered with Shepherd Society and since we at dia-LOGOS strongly believe in partnerships, we decided to partner with them in their endeavours to support the Shepherd Society in this time of need.
We would therefore like to encourage our supporters to assist the Church in Gaza practically by responding to this cry for help. In the current situation, financial donations are the best option so that the Shepherd Society, who is in the country, can allocate and apply as the needs are prioritised.
You can also donate directly to CRN.
Name: CRN Bank: First National Bank (FNB) Cheque Account: 62840685757
Branch code: 250655
SWIFTCODE: FIRNZAJJ NPC registration number – 2019/590489/08
Please use GAZA and your name & surname as a reference.
You can also donate directly to DIA-LOGOS Dia-LOGOS (NPC)
First National Bank Cheque Account 62875701205
Universal Branch Code 250655
Please use GAZA and your email address as reference
All role-players are committed to ensure that your gift reaches the final destination of Gaza Please consider donating for this cause, and sharing this cry for help with your friends.
Thank you!