Bringing Hope to Venezuela

“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” (Psalm 145:14-18)

Many of us have watched in shock as the devastating images flow in from Venezuela. Two powerful earthquakes devastated several highly populated areas of Venezuela. Hundreds of buildings have collapsed. The death toll is rising daily, and hundreds of thousands are without a home. God’s people there have also been affected. Many have lost loved ones and their homes. All of us should pray for the grieving and do our part to relieve the suffering.

In the Providence of God, we have been working with several ministries to send 50,000 John and Romans into Venezuela to be distributed by like-minded churches. The John and Romans were printed in Spanish with the Gospel, and a custom cover with a QR code to ETJ’s Spanish website. We designed a gospel page specifically for Venezuela and will add Bible truth and tools for those who are grieving to find God’s peace and strength. This will serve as a tremendous tool for evangelism there in the coming months.

A Word from Pastors on the Ground in Venezuela

Read a word from a ministry friend, Tim Carte. He works with our friends at Directline Ministry and who served for many years as a church-planter in Venezuela.

Pastor Rafael Ramírez has pastored the Sword Baptist Church for over 20 years. Rafael and the four pastors from his ministry witnessed their communities destroyed by the double earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela. Many of their members are dead. Their churches have a rough road ahead. Directline ministry is working to help them in 2 important steps.

First, we want them to get as stable as possible. They have told us that they need to purchase refrigerators to store food, a moped to take medicines to members, and large fans to offset the heat for those sleeping on floors and in tents.

Secondly, once stable, they need gospel material to give hope and help to those who are grieving. We have staged 50,000 gospel Scriptures with a QR code that connects anyone in the affected area to these pastors and electronic material provided by “Enjoying the Journey.” We are claiming God’s promise for them in Psalm 107:20, which says, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

Please prayerfully consider giving an offering for this project.

God bless,
Missionary Tim Carte – (817) 360-8100

How to Get Involved in Helping Venezuela

In times after devastation, many people want to help; however, it can be hard to know how. Here are three definite ways you can make a difference:

• Pray. Ask God to give protection and strength to all those involved. He can do what no man or organization ever could. Pray for:
  • The hurting
  • The grieving (Learn how to pray for the grieving HERE.)
  • The rescue workers and first responders
  • Those who have lost everything
  • The pastors who are working tirelessly to help their church families and the lost around them
  • The governments involved (Download our prayer guide for government leaders HERE.)
• Give. You may give through our designated giving portal HERE or directly to Directline Ministries HERE. All donations are tax-deductible.
  • We are seeking to help raise $7,000 to ship the custom John and Romans Scriptures for distribution once the immediate (physical) relief efforts are established.
  • We are planning to print and ship more gospel material (tracts and booklets) in Spanish that will deal with loss and suffering and point people to the Lord Jesus.
  • We are also seeking to send financial support to several national pastors and churches who have suffered loss. Many are without food and shelter or living in tents. These churches stocking up on food and other necessities to sustain their families and communities for the coming weeks. Additionally, they need to buy larger refrigerators for food storage and mopeds to better navigate the destroyed roads while serving affected families.
• Share. Do your part to involve others.
  • Ask people to pray for the gospel endeavors.
  • Encourage others to give.
  • Remind friends and loved ones to pray for the hurting in Venezuela.

Believers recognize that moments of devastation like this become opportunities for God to begin an eternal work. God’s people can demonstrate His compassion. Doors of opportunity to share the gospel are everywhere. Hurting souls discover the peace and strength only Jesus can provide. We must do our part these days.

*Click HERE to learn more about our Spanish work.

About Micah Hendry