Weep, Pray, Love

How unfortunate that we are becoming accustomed to hearing reports of devastating natural events, massive disruptions, and staggering death tolls. The earthquake in Nepal is the latest in a series of crises calling for our response. We are already responding as a church, and I encourage you to join in.

Because we are part of a larger church, we are able to respond quickly. Lutheran World Relief, one of our major relief and development partners, already had people on the ground in Nepal before the earthquake hit. They were able to begin assessment and response almost immediately. Imagine those quilts that your congregation makes going to earthquake survivors in Nepal! Imagine them serving as shelter for a family whose home has been destroyed, as a blanket for a man who has lost his family, as a baby carrier for a woman whose baby is her only family left.

Lutheran Disaster Response, an ELCA ministry that works with disasters both domestically (Remember the floods at Rocky Boy? Remember the fires on the Crow Reservation?) and globally. LDR, in partnership with Lutheran World Federation, is also responding to the humanitarian crisis in Nepal. Lest you be concerned about Lutheran organizations tripping over each other, LWR and LDR work cooperatively, each doing what they are best at. I encourage you to donate to either or both (LWR.org, elca.org/disaster).

As Christians we weep, in solidarity with the beloved children of God in Nepal who are suffering so deeply. And as Christians we pray for them. We pray for the victims, for the rescue workers, for the relief and development workers. We pray for a better, safer and more just future for the people of Nepal. And as Christians we love. We share our bounty with those in need.

Nepal: Weep, pray, love.

Jessica Crist, Bishop