As we listen to recent news reports from Turkey, we are praying for relief efforts and for the churches there as they work to serve those affected by the devastating earthquake. Here is an update from Joe, one of the MTW team members in Ankara, with information about two options for donating funds to help people in Turkey as they recover.
Compassion Aid (tap link for site)
This is a fund at Mission to the World to help support families of church members in Syria and Turkey. All of these funds will go to helping these families to recover and rebuild from this crisis.
Rescue Aid (tap link for site)
This group is the first-responder aid group in the country. We know some believers who work here, and this organization is highly involved in the ongoing rescue and aid process.
| Our hearts are heavy, as you may have already heard, about the large earthquakes that have happened in the southeastern region of Turkey. On early Monday morning, a 7.8-earthquake hit the region of Pazarcık near the border of Syria. Almost 9 hours later, a second large earthquake struck north of that region. Due to the magnitude and the cold weather, there are estimated to be many thousands of people who have lost their lives. |
| When we listened to the news on Monday morning, we began to call our church members and friends to see if everyone was doing ok, but throughout the morning, we learned that many of them had lost friends and family who lived in the area. One pastor in the region and his wife passed away. Their son was able to make it out of the house in time. One lady in our church’s family home was demolished entirely and they are living in their car because of the cold, and help had not come by yesterday evening. Another family in their town is still stuck under their house, the neighbors came and can hear them but don’t have the tools or support yet in their village to move the rubble. |
| The local community where we are is gathering supplies and sending a convoy of blankets, batteries, and other food to help the victims and their families. Our families are eager to go and help their family members, however, there are government restrictions on road travel in and out of affected cities because they want to make sure the rescue teams and convoys are able to get through. |
| Please pray for the safety and mercy of those who are still caught in their homes, and for those who are working to retrieve them that they will be able to do safely and quickly. |
| Please pray for the authorities and all those in aid organizations that they will have support and clarity of decisions for helping those in need. |
| Please pray for our church members who are unable to go be with their families. We have a shelter space set up at the church, but many people are worried if they are far from their homes thieves may take advantage of this situation. |
| Thank you for praying for Our Father’s mercy on Turkey and Syria! |
