Hope Through Partnership in Bangladesh

Thursday, March 27, A.D. 2008

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe. (John 20:29)

At times, I can relate to Thomas. He is reprimanded by Jesus in this week’s lectionary text for doubting that it is Christ who has risen from the dead. In my recent experience, traveling to Bangladesh to hear about international development programs I have never seen, heard, smelled or touched, I entered with suspicion or doubt. But time and time again, when I witness the work of Week of Compassion, I feel like Thomas putting his hand in Jesus’ side. I learn that this really is good news! I learn that resurrection is really happening through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)!

Throughout the week, our group visited villages and met with families attempting to pull themselves out of poverty: young women going to college (the equivalent of U.S. 11th and 12th grade), people trying to make it through small-scale enterprise, and mothers learning about human rights. A group of staff from the Christian Commission for Development (CCDB), Week of Compassion’s major implementing partner in Bangladesh, met with myself and four colleagues on a Saturday morning in order to tell us stories of hope. In 1991, after over 300,000 people were killed from a massive cyclone, it was recommended that the Bangladesh government build 5,000 cyclone shelters, but only 69 were built. Further complicating the problem was lack of communication about the location of the shelters and how to evacuate. Since the recommendation, CCDB has built 44 additional cyclone centers/shelters, which house 5,000 people per shelter. CCDB has taken a holistic approach by educating communities about evacuation and integrating disaster preparedness into development programs.

In Bangladesh, where there are over 40,000 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), CCDB stands out in the crowd. Micro-lending has become popular, NGOs and micro-lending institutions have gained financial wealth, and CCDB is trying to work itself out of a job. Rather than persuading members to increase their number of loans or apply for higher loans, CCDB encourages individuals and communities to become self-sufficient. I spent the week looking at various poverty reduction programs throughout Bangladesh, but it was when I met our partners through Week of Compassion that I found hope that we might not only reduce poverty, but eliminate it! Brothers and sisters, let us believe in the work that Week of Compassion is doing overseas!

- Megan Severns, WOC Intern

Heavy Flooding Hits U.S. Midsection Once Again

Heavy rains have brought record flooding to communities throughout the central U.S. Streams and rivers from Arkansas to Ohio are at flood stage, forcing thousands of people from their homes. Missouri has been especially hard hit, with some 70 counties affected.

Week of Compassion has contacted regional and area Disciples offices and local congregations. Thus far we have not learned of congregations or members needing assistance, but we continue to follow the situation closely and would appreciate receiving any information that might assist us in responding. Church World Service Emergency Response Specialists are on alert and contacting local faith-based responders in the region. CWS is shipping clean up buckets and other material resources to impacted communities. Indeed, CWS has issued an emergency appeal for clean up kits, as its stock has been depleted. Click here for more information.

It's Not Too Late to Register

There are still spaces available for Disciples to participate in the upcoming WeekEnd of Compassion. The April 11-13 event in Nashville, TN, will offer great preaching, incredible music, imaginative worship, opportunities to learn about more hands-on mission opportunities from WOC partners, new and creative ideas on WOC promotion and much, much more. Click here for more information and registration details.

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.