Cyclone Eloise hit Mozambique on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021, the third major cyclone to hit the nation in less than two years. Many areas of Mozambique had already seen several days of non-stop rain and flooding leading up to the cyclone. When it hit Beira it was a category two with wind speeds as high as 100 mph, and it dumped an additional 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
Thanks to those who have already given to our Cyclone Eloise relief effort, we were able to send $750 in immediate relief to our team in Mozambique to help their people and they made good use of every penny. Just look at what they did!
Abel and his wife were able to provide food to over 50 families in need of immediate food assistance. The average family size was 5 people. Tony was able to provide emergency food supplies to the families of the 40 children he ministers to each week. Vladimir and Lourenco were able to attend to over 200 people in need of medical assistance for things like malaria, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and psychological trauma, providing many with medication, masks, soap, and mosquito nets.
That’s at least 570 people who received some form of direct assistance. That’s approximately $1.30 a person, the cost of a flavored drink from the Sonic Drive-In during Happy Hour. For that small amount, people who had not eaten in DAYS were able to feed their entire family a hot meal. For smaller families, the food supplies will last for a couple of days. For that amount people with malaria and other ailments received LIFE-SAVING medication and preventive education.
We are not a government organization like the U.N., nor are we a large well-known public charity, but despite our smallness we are faithful with what we have been given.
What did $1.30 buy you this week?
There are still many in need of food, roof repair, and rebuilt homes. Pastor Lulu, one of the pastors Abel has mentored and poured into over the last several years is one of many in need. The picture below is his family’s home now.
