COVID-19: Walking Together, Making a Difference!

by | Jun 10, 2020 | News

Friends,

A few weeks ago, I spoke with several of our international partners about the challenges confronting each of them in this season of COVID-19. It was no surprise to me to hear of the impact their governments’ stay at home mandates were having on their individual communities, especially those living on the African Continent. These individuals do not have the luxury or the means of stocking up their cupboards or refrigerators. Instead, a daily visit to the markets or peddling their trade on the streets to earn a day’s wage, enabling them to feed their household is the norm. Now that they must stay at home presents an even more significant challenge, HUNGER!

Dr. Henry Mugabe, Consultant and Professor, Zimbabwe Theological Seminary, Gweru, Zimbabwe, remarked, “I do not know what will get us first, the virus or hunger. Our people will die either from the virus or from hunger”. Dr. Mugabe’s sentiments were like others on the call. For more than seven decades now, we have heard at every Annual Session that, “Everybody is somebody at Lott Carey.” I do not know who started the saying, but it is true. It is just not a saying but an expression of how we respect and care for each other.

The Pandemic has affected all of us, some, more than others. The value of belonging to the Lott Carey family is in knowing that in moments like these, we come together for the greater good. Every preacher will tell you that one of the high points in African American preaching tradition is the call and response. Lott Carey has heard
the calls and is responding.

Here’s how-

  • In Zimbabwe, we assisted with the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment and food.
  • In Guyana, we provided academic support for Guyanese school children; especially those in rural communities with little or no access to modern technology.
  • In Haiti, we provided financial assistance for both the orphanage and elderly home at Mission of Grace. And, we are providing assistance through, Strategic Union of Baptist Churches of Haiti, a conglomerate of Churches, in assisting children whose parents died due to the Coronavirus.
  • In Liberia, we provided food assistance for faculty and staff at the Lott Carey Mission Schools in Bopolu and Brewerville.
  • In Jamaica, we helped fund programs offering psycho-social support to leaders and congregations experiencing enormous challenges directly related to the virus.
  • In Nigeria, we made a capital investment in preparation for the reopening of schools after the COVID-19 lockdown concludes.
  • In South Africa, we provided financial assistance to the Mamelodi Baptist Church soup kitchen to help serve the poor and homeless communities and provide food parcels to pastors.
  • In Kenya, we provided financial assistance to Kipsitet Baptist Church Clinic for the purchase of COVID-19 test kits.

Lott Carey wants to do more but we need your help. Please mail your gift to:
​Lott Carey
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1245
Landover, Maryland 20785

OR share your gift online by clicking on the DONATE button below:

We recognize that economically, these are challenging times and some may not be in the position to give, but for those who are able, I invite you to help us do what we do best; that is, Touching Lives with the Transforming Love of Christ.

Thank you for your support.

 

Walking Together, Making a Difference!

Emmett L. Dunn