An Update on Covid-19 and World Renew’s Continued Work Around the World
As World Renew prepared to enter its seventh month of COVID-adaptive programming, we were filled with overwhelming gratitude for the ways in which churches and individuals gave of their resources to strengthen hope for vulnerable communities around the world.
One of the most inspiring letters we received during that season came from our church partners in Lebanon and Syria. It was written by a volunteer serving with Syrian refugees. We would like to share some of the words from that letter, which remind us why we are all called to the mission of living justice, loving mercy, and serving Christ:
“Our friends, it is no secret to say that the entire world is going through very difficult circumstances, a long-lasting war on Syria and the economic collapse in it, the economic and political unrest in Lebanon, the crisis of [COVID-19].
The Church teaches us that in such circumstances pure love appears, and volunteers have shown their willingness to act despite the risks, of course with precautionary measures taken. It is our hope that your help and giving will continue during these most extreme conditions.
We trust you, and that we will complete the march together, despite the difficult circumstances, for the good and for humanity.”
Executive Directors’ Message: Continuing the March Together
The march does indeed continue, carried on by communities participating in World Renew’s work across the globe. We remained active in every country where we were working prior to COVID-19, and our programming adapted to meet local health requirements and physical distancing measures.
Alongside our community development work, World Renew continued to respond to disasters throughout the pandemic through our International Disaster Response (IDR) efforts.
This work would not have been possible without the faithful generosity and prayers of supporters around the world. Amid immense shifts in our world, we stood in a sacred space of gratitude for the resources that God had entrusted to us through you.
Yet we also witnessed the unprecedented impacts of a global health crisis, worsening food insecurity, heightened violence against women and children, and a series of devastating disasters affecting some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
Meeting Growing Needs with Hope
It was not enough to simply maintain our programming; there was a critical need to expand these efforts in order to save lives and sustain hope.
World Renew had the infrastructure, partnerships, and staff in place to respond to the needs we saw, but meeting those growing needs required the support of people who shared our commitment to justice, compassion, and restoration.
Together, we were able to continue walking alongside communities facing extraordinary challenges, helping to strengthen resilience and create opportunities for recovery and renewal.
We come before you humbly and filled with hope. Thank you for all you have already given and continue to give to touch hundreds and thousands of stories with hope. Learn more about our work and how you can make a difference.
