Support Afghanistan
Wellspring Family,
Often, during a catastrophe in our world, many of us are deeply saddened over the brokenness and violence that we see. At the same time, we often feel helpless and wonder what we can do to help. Most recently, this has been felt while watching the current crisis in Afghanistan.
Wellspring wants to offer real, tangible options that allow us to get involved with the situation in Afghanistan. Below are 4 different options:
From the convenience of your own house: Archbishop Foley sent out an email last week as a call to prayer and ways to help. Here is a very practical portion of what he wrote: “The Anglican Relief and Development Fund has begun raising funds for support for Afghan refugees and the people of Haiti. Donations for Afghan refugees can be made via this link. Those who want to give towards Haiti should give via this link.
Get out and go shopping: There are several resettlement agencies in Colorado who have connections to international organizations that aim to provide help and care for those fleeing Afghanistan. One organization, Lutheran Family Services, has connected with the United States military base in Qatar (where many evacuees are being taken), and has learned of their great need for infant and baby supplies. Many Afghan families fled with their children, without being able to take their belongings. As such, many babies are without diapers and food, and many children are without shoes.
So, for the next three weeks (final day will be September 12th), we are asking our Wellspring Englewood community to consider bringing in donations of:
Diapers (any size)
Diaper wipes
Baby formula
Baby bottles
Children’s shoes
Children’s socks
Children’s underwear
* all donations must be in new, sealed packages, as they will be shipped overseas.
Please drop off all donations in the bins that will be at the north doors of the church during the week (Monday through Thursday, 9am - 4pm), or at the hospitality tables on Sundays.
If you have ANY questions, or would like more information, please contact Mikaela Malouf at mikaela.malouf@gmail.com, or send her a text at 720-421-7690.
3. Pray: Let us not forget the power of and need to pray. God loves this world and invites us to come before His throne of grace to intercede for humanity. If you want specific prayers for Afghanistan, I’d encourage you to follow this Prayers for Afghanistan Facebook page. Let us also pray for our US military men and women who are playing such a vital part in trying to keep peace at the Kabul airport. And of course, this is an invitation to remember the persecuted church in different parts of our world and to lift those brothers and sisters up in prayer.
4. Make some friends: Lastly, the events in our world mean that Colorado will be receiving new Afghan refugees soon. If you are interested in being a cultural mentor through Lutheran Family Services (6 month commitment) to those coming here, email Tara Malouf at tara@wellspringenglewood.com.
We live in a “strange way” as Christians, don’t we? We trust that Jesus is Lord over all and He is not surprised at the events of our world. However, we also pray each week, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” And as we pray those words, we ask the Spirit to give us a holy imagination for what our part in “thy will be done” might be. Thank you for considering any of the above! May God give us all a vision of how He is calling each of us to love this world!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (tara@wellspringenglewood.com)
~Joyfully,
Tara Malouf
Community Life Pastor
