COVID-19: A Soura Relief Strategy
With congregations spread across their vast region, Soura leaders practice being strategic in shepherding their flock. This people group turned from darkness to light from the days they worshiped silent idols. Today they're eager to strengthen leadership of their local churches. Because of that, they take God's Word seriously since the completion of their Bible translation in the 1990s. When their people began to suffer under the pressure of the global pandemic, Soura leaders looked to God's Word for guidance and came up with a relief strategy.
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27)
Soura Relief Initiatives will focus on the most needy families, those comprised of widows, orphans, and displaced migrant workers. 1500 families will be served using resources grown on funds gathered first in Soura churches, providing 30% of the total need. Relief will take place throughout the month of May and include basic food and essentials for hygiene.
- Rice
- Lentils
- Soap
- Dettol antiseptic
- Hand sanitizer
- Washing soap
Soura leaders have already organized their fellowships into zones for effective church growth and care. Using these zones, facilities were selected to rent as centers for distribution across their state. Each zone center is overseen by a local church pastor ministering there, and that pastor will provide a report once distribution is completed.
To be good stewards of what God provides, Soura leaders created a budget.
- Transportation from supply stores to distribution center: $265
- Rental of 30 centers for 30 days of distribution operations: $1,980
- Relief rations of food/hygiene/sanitizers: ($2.65/person)
- $3,975 total OR
- Increments of $53 Relief rations per 20 families OR
- Increments of $265 Relief rations per 100 families
- Sanitary Kit bags for women: $198 total
Once distribution is complete, leaders will compile reports from each center and evaluate. Caring for widows and orphans in their affliction is a big job any time. In the time of COVID-19, it's an added challenge.
If you would like to partner with the Soura Leaders to serve 1500 vulnerable families, you can Make a Difference with a gift below. Some suggested costs are provided, but the Soura leaders welcome any size gift.
