Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Heavy rains across Central America have caused rivers to overflow their banks, flooding cities, destroying highways and bridges, and steep hillsides have collapsed in mudslides. More than 500,000 people have been driven from their homes.

The hardest-hit countries are Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

The timing of this disaster could not be worse -- coming right before harvest. With the catastrophic loss of so many crops, food shortages will occur in the coming weeks and months. Severe shortages of seed for next year’s planting are expected as well.

Through ELCA Disaster Response, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stands ready to respond in affected areas with our companion churches and partners in the region. Work is already underway -- providing shelter, access to water and food for people displaced by the floods. ELCA commitment will continue through 2012, helping local farmers and their families rehabilitate their crops. 

Please help now with your contribution to ELCA Disaster Response designated for "Central American Flooding” or you can choose one of the four areas hit hardest: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua. Your designated gift will be used entirely (100 percent) to help families whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by this disaster in Central America.

Wondering what else you can do? Please share this bulletin insert with your congregation and tell others of this disaster and our response.

Your prayers and your partnership are greatly needed and deeply appreciated. Thank you.
 
Sincerely,

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
 

P.S. Please help me get the word out. Use this bulletin insert to share this information with your congregation this weekend.