WAW Wednesday ... Refugee Support in the Valley of Peace

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

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Refugee Support in the Valley of Peace

Hello Friends,

Refugees continue to flow into Belize.

Mostly from El Salvador and mostly coming into southern districts of Belize. Yet over 200 are currently in The Valley of Peace. Many fleeing under death threats from gangs, and families arriving with just the clothes on their backs. The organization dealing with refugees, Help for Progress, reports1500 in the last 18 months ... 40% of those have arrived since January - currently at a pace of 150/month.

Oddly, it has not yet been featured in local news.

Amilcar Amaya from the Valley of Peace is now TWAW Liaison for refugee support. He is ready to organize and mobilize efforts of the local church. I asked what we could do to help ... here is his response:

"I am ready to get involve in whatever humanitarian assistance that can be rendered to the hundreds of refugee families coming to Valley of Peace and different parts of the country. On Thursday I participated on day of registration of new refugees. It was astonishing to see more that two hundred people just in Valley of Peace. I feel that there is an urgent need to assist these people.

What is needed? Blankets, dehydrated food, clothes for children and adult, shoes, exercise books, pencils, crayons for those children attending school, sleeping bags, vitamins for children, tooth paste and brushes, farming tools, cooking utensils, chairs, small tables... and so forth I hope these list can help. I believe that many families are struggling to survive. They need help immediately ... I pray that there will be kind- hearted people to provide these needs."

I am willing to go into the settlements and distribute the items personally to the refugees ..."

Kind regards,
Amilcar Amaya

If you can help with this effort, please begin acquiring and getting new or used items to our shipping points in ...

Amarillo, TX
Ocean Springs, MS
Paoli, PA

Thanks for being the Word at Work!

tt (Tim Tam)
The Word at Work

ps: Our Ministry Associate team gathers school supplies, toys, and stuffed animals through out the year ... we've discovered blankets are an ongoing need as well, so please be saving them, too. Click here to learn more about becoming a TW@W Ministry Associate, or get in touch with Tim Hagen for more information!

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience - working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize - won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!