New Hope and Life

Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan receive food packages from the United Methodist Committee on Relief during a distribution in Tacloban, Philippines. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

By Rev. J. Denise Honeycutt
Deputy General Secretary, United Methodist Committe on Relief (UMCOR)

As an international humanitarian relief and development agency, “UMCOR works to strengthen and transform people and communities.” I love our vision statement. And the way we do it is by being with people in the midst of their suffering, in the midst of their crisis, in the midst of their finding themselves on the margins, for whatever reason. We seek to walk alongside those persons, to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, because we know that what Jesus often did was to bring healing and hope. What we see in the very symbol of what it means to be Christian—the symbol of the cross—is that out of death and destruction, God brings life and new hope. And that’s what we seek—to partner with God in that new hope and life for people.

A Blessing for the People of Chile



A view of a waterfall in Chile. Photo: Linda Unger

 

 

When the ground shakes and the seas crash around you,

May you find firm footing in God’s strong love;

When the world wiggles and wobbles around you,

May you regain your balance through your care for others;

When the rumble and crash of disaster echoes in your ears,

 

May you listen and hear the still small voice of God.

 

When you start to rebuild your life,

May you know the presence of God,

In ways that are surprising, new, and real.

And, through the present and tangible love of others,

May you never forget that

 

Nothing,

Absolutely nothing,

Can separate you from

The love of God.

 

Rev. Jack Amick, Assistant General Secretary, International Disaster Response,

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)