Helping Flood Victims Far From Home

Between nationally-known ministry leaders who have dropped like bowling pins of late, diminished societal influence, and falling attendance, one could easily despair about the state of the modern church.

Which is why it was so good to be part of the congregation at a recent classical guitar performance at Missio Dei Church in Huntington, West Virginia.

The gathering had more purpose than just hearing good music. It raised funds for victims of spring flooding in southern Brazil, which Reuters news service termed the worst in 80 years.

The rains started in late April and continued in May, leaving widespread damage.  By mid-June this report said there were 176 deaths confirmed and more than 400,000 people displaced.

The stories prompted action by two Missio Dei members. Lorrie Spence grew up in Brazil as the daughter of missionaries. Marshall University professor Julio Alves hails from the northern part of the country, but wanted to help his fellow Brazilians.

One Sunday, Lorrie shared about a mission church’s efforts to raise $400 for a generator. The generator came but the needs grew.

That led to Lorrie and Julio suggesting a concert to raise more funds for a neighborhood on the outskirts of Porto Alegre, a city of one million.

Voila! A benefit concert and Missio Dei pledging an equal match for money raised by the event, up to $5,000.

Evocative Music  

I had never attended a classical guitar performance, but this one whet my appetite for more. The quiet, evocative tunes came from compositions by five different Latin American composers. The music was so spellbinding you could hear the proverbial pin drop during Alves’s playing.

His wife, Kristen, joined him on the violin for three final songs: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “It is Well with My Soul.”

During his introduction, Pastor Mark White had hinted that the congregation might join in during those. But the trio of familiar hymns sounded so beautiful instrumentally that I hoped no one would burst into song.

In his remarks about the tragedy in Brazil, White commented on the circumstances surrounding the writing of “It is Well with My Soul.”

Hymnist Horatio Spafford wrote the words not during a time of great triumph, but after his four daughters died when their ship collided with another crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 1873.

Likewise, the pastor noted, while the floods in Brazil have caused great suffering, loss of life and homes, and other damage, the church is bringing great hope during this time. Some victims had accepted Jesus as their Savior amid the relief efforts.

Meeting Needs of Flood Victims

White showed a number of photos of the aftermath of the flooding and the food, supplies, and other assistance—including crews that helped dry up homes and haul away debris—delivered to flood victims.

The goal of the fund-raising drive is $40,000, which will go to help approximately 40 families. That may seem modest to the average American, but it will help meet numerous needs.

This effort has taken place largely outside of public view and certainly without any headline-screaming attention.

Still, it offers evidence of the body of Christ coming together. That it involves a number of mostly small churches in two places more than 4,400 miles apart would stun imaginations in the first century.

Yet it shows the truth of Christ’s words: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 MEV).

Nor will the flood waters.

Note: Donations to the relief effort for flood victims can be made via this link.