Care of Creation Urgent Prayer Alert

Dear Care of Creation Prayer Partners and Supporters:

This is an urgent “Call to Prayer” going out to friends of Care of Creation around the world.  If you have been on our list for a while, you know we don’t do this often, and we hope when we ask you to pray you will consider the needs and join us before the throne of God.  We are not naming a particular “day of prayer” as we have done in the past, but are simply asking you to join us this weekend in particular, but also in the weeks ahead, to ask God for his mercy with regard to the following three items:

1. The Devastating Drought in East Africa.

Care of Creation Kenya has put a lot of work into developing an innovative program called “Farming God’s Way” and we have seen great success in increasing crop yield for ordinary farmers.  Unfortunately, the best farming techniques cannot compensate when the rains fail – and once more, things are at a critical stage in Kenya and the surrounding countries.

This word from Francis at the CCK office in Limuru, Kenya came in just a few days ago:

“Keep praying for Kenya – the drought situation is getting out of hand. Relief food is now being distributed almost in every part of the country including Ndeiya where my scheduled meeting with the local government administrator, the chief, could not take place as hundreds of men, women and children queued for food all day long on Monday…”

Francis’  front-line report is confirmed by a scan of headlines just from the last couple of days.

The World Food Programme is appealing for massive aid to compensate for what looks like a 50% shortfall in the maize harvest alone: “Red lights are flashing across the country,”

Burkard Oberle, WFP’s Kenya country director said in a statement.

“People are already going hungry, malnutrition is preying on more and more young children, cattle are dying — we face a huge challenge and are urging the international community to provide us with the resources we need to get the job done.” Many parts of the country have now suffered three or even four consecutive failed rainy seasons, WFP says, and conditions are expected to deteriorate further over the coming months. (Reuters)

These are our people – your brothers and sisters.  Pray!

2. Care of Creation Board in Strategic Planning Meetings this weekend

Okay – this sounds like a major disconnect.  People dying of hunger and now board meetings?

Here’s the connection:  As an organization, we at Care of Creation are governed by a Board of Directors.  These folks volunteer their time to work with us to shape the direction and activities of the organization, and to help find funds (see below!) to make things happen.  Our meetings this weekend are of critical importance as we try to understand – in the face of things like the Kenya drought – what the important things are that this little organization should be doing in the world.

God has given us a big vision to address major needs around the world – but very limited resources.  On behalf of the board and staff, will you join us in prayer that God will speak to us clearly this weekend?  [We’re meeting in Minneapolis, if it helps to have a geographic focus to your prayers!]

We believe that God can give wisdom and that he can supply all that is needed – but we also feel that wisdom comes before supply.  Before we ask for the resources needed, we need to be sure that we are doing exactly what he wants us to do. You can help by praying with us through this weekend.  Thank you!

3. Funding is at a critical low point right now

August is always a bit of a tough month to get through, but this one has been more difficult than usual.  As I write this, funds are low enough to affect basic operations in the US office (like payroll) and our Kenya project has only 2 months of funds available.
While we continue to pray and to look to larger donors to fill these gaps, we want to ask you to pray with us specifically for these needs, but also to consider even a small gift right now to take us through this time.  If you would click through and send us (via PayPal or your credit/debit card) just $25.00, you could make a big difference when your gift is added to many others.  I think what Paul said to his supporters also applies here:

“This service you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God…” (II Corinthians 9:12)

You might also consider helping us by spreading the word about our work and our needs – forward this message, post/repost on Facebook, ask your church’s missions folks if they would consider an emergency gift.  We’re happy to provide you with more specific information about the needs in such a case – contact us at info[AT]careofcreation.org .

Thank you!

Once more – thank you for your partnership with us.

Ed Brown, for the Care of Creation Family