Manila is the most densely populated city in the world, so fires are especially dangerous and devastating. Last month, a fire raged through a small Manila community, destroying 185 homes and leaving many families with nothing.
The affected community is home to a small church, attended by almost 100 children who are sponsored by GlobalFingerprints, the EFCA’s child sponsorship program that invests in children and families to transform lives and build the Church. The fire displaced 45 of these sponsored families, and most lost everything.
While the fire raged, the displaced ran to the small church and found comfort there as they prayed for God’s protection. The church, with support from GlobalFingerprints and Crisis Response, is currently providing for these families in crisis. They also have support from the Evangelical Free Church of the Philippines (EFCP). The church was planted by Redeemed Christian Fellowship, an established church in the Manila slums pastored by EFCP President Pastor Arial Jornales.
God is already using the collaborative efforts of GlobalFingerprints, Crisis Response and the EFCP in response to this fire. GlobalFingerprints and EFCP immediately provided new uniforms and school supplies so affected children could return to school. The local church has offered clothing, food, prayer and shelter while also meeting other basic needs.
You can be a part of this response.
Pray
Please pray for the community, that God would continue to provide comfort and peace that surpasses understanding for the affected families. Pray also for wisdom as Crisis Response, GlobalFingerprints and the EFCP navigate how to strategically respond to immediate and long-term needs. Pray also that God may be glorified in this response.
Learn more
GlobalFingerprints partners with local churches, similar to the one affected in Manila, in 12 countries around the world. Through collaborative efforts with churches and ministry leaders, more than 6,500 children are currently sponsored. In addition to the program in Manila, GlobalFingerprints also supports church planting in Eastern Samar, a province of the Philippines where Crisis Response has been ministering since 2013. To learn more about how child sponsorship can transform lives and build the church, or if you are ready to sponsor a child, please visit globalfingerprints.org.
Give
The immediate needs for those affected include short-term housing assistance and home goods. Emergency shelters will soon close, so Crisis Response is acting quickly. They are partnering with Redeemed Christian Fellowship and the affected local church to cover costs incurred as families find long-term housing. Tenement homes will be built for the displaced families, but completion isn’t expected for one to three years, so there is a significant opportunity to support this community.
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