The world has been shaken with the news of Russia invading Ukraine. Each day we watch the news with bated breath trying to make sense of the violence as the death toll rises. Images of bombed buildings and train stations packed with soon-to-be refugees fill our minds and we wonder what, if anything, can be done to help.
Our Bolivian partners share with us in this desperate desire to help while not quite knowing how. Tim suggested doing a fundraiser to contribute to the relief effort that CBM is undertaking. As members of the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD), CBM is directing donations towards the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Ukrainian Baptists as churches open their buildings to host refugees and provide essentials such as food, clothing and personal hygiene supplies. We have rarely seen the Bolivian Baptists and all of their institutions mobilize so quickly!
The president of the Bolivian Baptists issued a challenge to churches across the country, calling on them to set aside this month to raise funds for the relief effort. In Cochabamba, this came to include a benefit dinner featuring Ukrainian dishes. The seminary hosted, the pastors’ union and Obades promoted the event and sold tickets, the young adults gathered volunteers, and guest performers were invited to participate. Kallie joined up with the Cochabamba women’s group and taught them how to make pierogies (or varenyky) and borscht, which they served to more than 250 guests.
All of these volunteers pitched in where they could as their way of standing in solidarity with those suffering and fleeing violence. Bolivia is not a wealthy nation, but our partners are rallying to offer what they can with love and compassion in support of their neighbours.
Our Bolivian partners share with us in this desperate desire to help while not quite knowing how. Tim suggested doing a fundraiser to contribute to the relief effort that CBM is undertaking. As members of the Baptist Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD), CBM is directing donations towards the European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Ukrainian Baptists as churches open their buildings to host refugees and provide essentials such as food, clothing and personal hygiene supplies. We have rarely seen the Bolivian Baptists and all of their institutions mobilize so quickly!
The president of the Bolivian Baptists issued a challenge to churches across the country, calling on them to set aside this month to raise funds for the relief effort. In Cochabamba, this came to include a benefit dinner featuring Ukrainian dishes. The seminary hosted, the pastors’ union and Obades promoted the event and sold tickets, the young adults gathered volunteers, and guest performers were invited to participate. Kallie joined up with the Cochabamba women’s group and taught them how to make pierogies (or varenyky) and borscht, which they served to more than 250 guests.
All of these volunteers pitched in where they could as their way of standing in solidarity with those suffering and fleeing violence. Bolivia is not a wealthy nation, but our partners are rallying to offer what they can with love and compassion in support of their neighbours.
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