Happy Easter from Lutheran World Relief! As you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, here are a few places we can see Christ’s love at work in the world today.
A garbage bank Indonesia
Pollution is a serious problem where Pagit Damaris br Ginting lives in south Sumatra, Indonesia. In a nation comprised of thousands of small islands, the logistics of managing everyone’s trash are complicated. That’s why trash often gets thrown into ravines, rivers and even farm fields — damaging the environment as well as people’s health.
With training and support you provided, Pagit has operated a “garbage bank” on her farm for more than six years. Members of her community deposit their cardboard, plastic and glass waste at her garbage bank, then they receive a share of the profits when Pagit sells it to a recycler.
This may not be a glamorous job, but Pagit finds God in caring for her community and the environment.
“To me, it’s an act of religious worship,” she says. “My spirit belongs there. My heart belongs there ... It's like the saying, ‘Don't pass down tears to our children and grandchildren, but pass down springs of water instead.’"
In addition to being good stewards of God’s creation, Pagit’s garbage bank also gives her and the community a little extra income to provide for their families’ needs.
“Waste is not a problem anymore,” she says. “It’s a blessing instead.”
A school in Sierra Leone
Abibatu Bangura began missing long stretches of school two years ago after her mother Zainab got very sick. After multiple surgeries, Zainab could no longer maintain a stable income.
Abibatu’s father abandoned the family years ago, so Zainab’s illness has meant there is no money for school lunch, pencils or paper.
Zainab says she relies on God to provide for her family now. She says, “I've placed my hope in God. I have placed my trust in Him. I believe that no matter the situation of a person, God is bigger than the situation.”
You were her answer to prayer! With your support, Abibatu now receives a monthly cash transfer (about $10 USD) to meet her basic needs, plus other program support. To receive the cash, she must attend regularly — which is no longer a problem. Abibatu says, “This year, I come to school every day because of the cash grant.”
Zainab now has hope for her daughter’s future. “She is brilliant. God will see her through,” she says. “We want to thank you very much. May God bless you.”
A shelter in North Carolina
Hurricanes Helene and Milton were devastating for our neighbors in the Southeast, and recovery is ongoing even 18 months later.
But because of you, “God shows up and proves there are no limits to his love and graciousness to his children.”
That’s how Leigh Ann Bridgman, a volunteer with LWR’s local partner organization, phrased, it, after seeing the immense joy and comfort that LWR Quilts and Kits brought to residents at the Costello House in Asheville, North Carolina.
Costello House provides temporary living solutions and programming for men who need an extra hand to uplift themselves from the shackles of homelessness and addiction. Many residents, who have so bravely worked to overcome these challenges, felt defeated after the hurricane. Then your love surrounded them and reminded them how much others cared.
Thank you for sharing the love of Christ in unexpected and hard-to-reach places all over the world!