With the world’s eyes turned to the disasters in Japan, it is easy to forget that just one month ago a major earthquake rocked New Zealand, displacing tens of thousands of people.
Although many have left, the Foursquare Church denomination continues its ministry. In an interview with Foursquare.org, Missionary Ron Brown described the situation as “a warzone, with sinkholes throughout the streets and hospitals filled to capacity. Water in neighborhoods is flowing intermittently, though it is not drinkable. Sewer systems are broken, and fresh food is unavailable.”
Brown and his wife Debra have been providing meals and lots of prayers for neighbors impacted by the disaster.
Yesterday was World Water Day, designed to create awareness for the need for clean drinking water around the world. According to a Washington Post article, it is estimated that more than 3,900 children die each day because of diarrhea linked to dirty water.
Presbyterian Church U.S.A.’s The Outreach Foundation reports several projects in Brazil designed to bring both the “living water” of the gospel and clean drinking water to the population. They have had particular success in the drought-stricken surroundings of northeastern Brazil thanks to a cistern project.
Finally, here in the U.S., trustees for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) recently elected Tom Elliff, 67, to succeed Jerry Rankin as the organization’s president.
“I’m not coming as an ‘interim.’ I’m coming with a vision—and I will serve as long as God gives me grace and energy,” Elliff told Baptist Press. Elliff is a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served as IMB senior vice president from 2005-09.
The IMB, based in Richmond, Virginia, has 5,000 worldwide missionaries and appointed 67 new missionaries on March 16 during a ceremony held in Dallas.