During the past 10 months there have been major disasters in various parts of the world affecting many ministries assisted through Christian Aid.

In November of 2007, Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh, killing nearly 4,000 people and displacing over 3 million people. Soon after this, the monsoon season began.

There was "Black Christmas Day" in Orissa, India where over 5,000 persecuted Christians were affected, escaping into the forests with only the clothing on their backs. Less than six months later, Orissa was hit by severe flooding. And then more violent persecution reoccurred in Orissa in August 2008.

This child is now receiving loving care from an indigenous ministry.

Chaos in Kenya due to political upheaval displaced 270,000 people from their homes - 180,000 of whom were from the fertile Rift Valley, normally producing about 70% of Kenya’s maize crop.

Cyclone Nargis ripped through Burma on May 2 devastating the land, and it is feared that one million people may have been killed. Politics further added to the misery in the ensuing days.

Then on May 12th, the "Great Sichuan Earthquake" in China caused over 69,000 deaths, left between 5 and 11 million people homeless, destroyed innumerable livestock, and significant areas of agriculture were lost.

All of these crises have these common denominators: Children have been orphaned. Food, water, clothing and shelter are still needed.

In many other areas of the world, however, where there has been no major disaster, poverty continues to take its toll -- children and adults often go for days without food or water. Consequently, many are dying of starvation and dehydration.

Jesus said that the poor will always be with us . . .*

And there are many humanitarian agencies that try to alleviate this problem. But here is how Christian Aid is distinguished from them: Indigenous ministries look upon this reality as an opportunity to help the suffering, as well as minister to the spiritual need of all to hear the gospel.

Native missionaries gave gospel tracts to those who lost their homes in a flood. They also received food and clothing, which opened the way to share the message of Christ.

As Christians, they recognize the call to action.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Christian Aid does this by helping indigenous ministries overseas show Christ’s compassion, and by assisting them in their work of evangelizing and church planting. In this way, native missionaries open doors that will affect many families, and even whole villages, with the gospel.

Indigenous ministries are accomplishing much through gifts sent to Christian Aid. Here’s an example. Christ’s Power Ministries (CPM) Community Transformation Program in Benin, Africa, sends native church planters with agricultural experience to bring help to neglected and starving villagers.

An income generating farm like this one in Benin provides food for poor villages, as well as support for missionary workers.

In the past two years, with contributions sent to Christian Aid, CPM has established cooperative farms in 22 villages throughout the country. To date, 90 new churches have been planted among 17 unreached tribes. One-third of the crop yield is divided among all of CPM’s 400 missionaries.

As you can see, native missionaries are able to accomplish much if they have the resources. With sufficient funds the brethren can continue to feed the hungry in the name of Christ. To help the hungry, click here.

I want to help feed hungry people. I want to help care for those who need a helping hand from a native missionary....