The Journal of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America January-March 2015 - (Page 7)

From The Board & sTaFF American Baptists, Others Respond to Ebola Crisis T he Ebola outbreak of 2014 is the worst the world has The World Food Programme (WFP) also recently organized an seen since the disease was discovered in 1976. Currently effort to "provide food assistance to around 1.3 million people in the over 5,000 people have died, though it's likely many deaths go three most affected countries: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. unreported, and thousands more are infected. Cases have been Food is being delivered to those who are in quarantine, in diagnosed throughout West Africa as well as in Spain, India and treatment and their families. The WFP's emergency response was the United States. Though the death toll had gone down at press put in place to prevent an even larger problem from emerging time, the disease has had devastating effects on the economies of from the outbreak, one that would cause more deaths and require many countries that could continue to be a problem even as the more aid than the Ebola virus does now-a food crisis. virus is controlled. -From Baptist News Global, Hunger News & Hope The American Baptist Churches USA announced recently that it has approved an emergency grant of $120,000 to provide food and medical supplies to Liberia, the West ditor's note: Below is a letter from Liberian Baptist pastor and peacemaker Jimmy Diggs-a African nation hardest hit by the longtime friend of the BPFNA ~ Bautistas por la Paz-to the Circle of Mercy (a BPFNA Partner Ebola outbreak. Congregation) in thanks for their response to the Ebola crisis in Liberia. Jimmy's description of the crisis The grant, which is on top of as "the worst tragedy we have ever seen" is particularly poignant in light of the conflict and turbulence an earlier $20,000 sent in August, the country has seen, even in recent years. also will fund educational resources on Ebola prevention. To the Circle of Mercy Congregation: "In addition to huge medical I am very grateful that you as fellow Christians with the heart of love have chosen to needs, food security has become reach out to suffering brothers and sisters who are facing the worst tragedy we have ever a major issue," ABC world relief seen. officer Lisa Rothenberger said in To see bodies lying the streets and in abandoned homes, and sick people with no care a press release. "People have been and food, is difficult. It leaves Liberia helpless. There is a new wave of economic hardship unable to go to work at the same time looming over the country. Companies have shut down, or suspended their operations, as food prices have increased and and the government cannot handle this plague alone. Due to low production and local access to marketplaces has become farmers abandoning their farms, signs of food shortage are visible as prices are escalating daily. more limited. The combined impact Churches are praying, and doing the best for the people in the three affected they can, but the need is overwhelming and it is countries is that many are now unbearable. I am very sure that the little done having trouble feeding their families. for my people will be great in their eyes, but "Our Liberian partners have the eyes of the Lord are upon you for coming shared their fear that more people to the aid of humanity in distress. will die of hunger than Ebola-that Friends of the Circle of Mercy, God is real is something we need to respond to and will never leave us in times of trouble and now," she added. distress. God's love talked about in John 3:16 is A portion of the funds for very visible in your plans, collections, assistance educational resources will be used and, most of all, your prayers for our people. by Rick Gutierrez, an International Thanks for the gift to destitute and helpless Ministries missionary based in South Liberians and Sierra Leoneans, and may God's Africa, to produce an animated Ebola hand of mercy save our people and the world prevention video, similar to one he in the midst of this deadly epidemic. did earlier on HIV prevention. The -Jimmy Diggs video will be translated into several African languages. A Letter from Jimmy Diggs JAN-MAR 2015 Baptist Peacemaker 7 photo by Buddy Gill E

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Journal of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America January-March 2015

No Longer Strangers: The BPFNA’s New Strategic Plan
A Reflection On Our Convictions & Motivation
Board Welcomes Kadia Edwards as Young Adult Representative
Baptists, Others Respond to Ebola Crisis
Gimme Shelter: My Vocation as a Peacemaker
Kidnapping of Students Leads to Outrage in Mexico
Parting Thoughts
With the Beating of Our Hearts: Bearing Witness to Other’s Pain
Dispatches from Ferguson: A Two-Part Account of a Week in St. Louis
The Gospel Is Not a Neutral Term: Excerpts from an Interview with Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Seko
Selma, 50 Years Later: A Memoir
Imaging, Journeying & Standing before One Creation, Part 1: Who Shaped My Image of Creation?
BPFNA Receives Grant for Justice Work on the US/Mexico Border
Central African Republic Rebel Groups Train for Peace
The Global Influence of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Resources & Opportunities
Keep It Real

The Journal of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America January-March 2015