October 2006
Missionary Report from THE GOOD SAMARITAN (1)
A NEW HOPE IS BORN
In regard to natural disasters, the year 2005 marked a historical record. Twenty-seven hurricanes have kept the inhabitants of the Caribbean, Central America and the United States in check, and caused great devastations worsening the living conditions of those people a great deal.
From 15 November to 13 December, sister Santina Mascerà, responsible for the Work of the Good Samaritan, together with the representative of the German Union, Gustavo Castellanos, visited the southern part of Mexico and certain regions in some Central American countries that have been affected by the hurricane Stan. The visiting program included the development of certain humanitarian projects in some countries in Central America.
The purpose of the trip, on the first place, was that of assisting the rescuing team to help the brothers and sisters in the faith who had been affected by the hurricane and giving them spiritual and moral support. In these countries, plans were made to sustain the Good Samaritan Work and offerings and basic commodities were given out.
The beneficiaries received donations amounting 24.183,72 euros. This modest sum has given new hope and trust in the future. This was made possible thanks to the offerings coming from Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Spain.
Honduras: a stormy welcome
On 17 November, hurricane Gama, welcomed us in Honduras. At night, before the terrible flood made the main roads impassable, we managed to reach the city San Pedro Sula, on the Atlantic coast. Later on, for four days, innumerable storms lashed the western and southern part of the country causing much damage.
On Friday 18 November, the responsible of the community in Honduras, Inocencio Guardado, told us by phone that it would not be possible for him to meet us, as it had been previously agreed, because the innumerable storms in the south of the country prevented him from coming. He added that many persons were trying to rescue the few things they had left by hanging them from the ceiling of their homes, and that the area was full of poisonous snakes that due to the flood had left their hiding place.
On that Friday we wanted to evacuate many people and our brethren from the area where bananas are grown, around the city of Lima, to a place near San Pedro Sula, in order to protect them from the alluvium.
Our attempt failed because the roads were impassable due to the heavy rain. Therefore, on Saturday, at four o’clock in the morning, we decided to try again, but the whole area was completely flooded.
In Honduras, hurricane Gama left 30.000 roofless people, 34 dead and scattered many. According to the report we received, there were no victims among the members of our community. 1000 dollars were immediately handed out to the social work of the Good Samaritan in Honduras, and thank to the help of a regional private television channel an appeal was made asking for clothes.
We thank the Lord for stretching His protective and merciful hand upon the brethren and their co-workers.
The Work of the Good Samaritan sponsors a primary school in Honduras. From the 53 pupils who attend the different classes, 22 children have been sponsored by Italy in the year 2005 and this year they are being sponsored by Germany by means of school adoption at a distance. These children come from very poor families who live in indigent conditions. The increasing number of pupils calls for the school building to be enlarged.
The sponsoring of schoolchildren is based on a selection done by the responsible of the Good Samaritan department, Estela de Núñez, who follows a very precise criteria and interviews the poor families.
Guatemala and El Salvador- assistance to the poorest
On October 2005, when hurricane Stan lashed across Guatemala and El Salvador leaving thousands of dead, specially in Guatemala, and causing innumerable material damages, the Work of the Good Samaritan donated 3.000 dollars to buy and distribute basic commodities among those affected.
Enrique de León, honorary leader of the Work of the Good Samaritan, together with a team of volunteers, started a rescuing camping on the Pacific coast and the high plateau of Guatemala.
In the location Las Trochas, the Work of the Good Samaritan, together with the American foundation “Fraternidad Guatemalteca” – with its seat in Washington D.C., took care of 600 families affected by hurricane Stan, by providing them with food and potable water. Besides, a mill to grind maize, indispensable to make tortillas- the staple food of the population, was donated to the community. The Good Samaritan, for 150 dollars, had a room built to lodge the mill and for people to go to grind their grain.
In Las Trochas, the Good Samaritan of Guatemala is planning to buy plot of land to build a settlement for some families who because of the disasters or for social reasons are homeless and live in extreme poverty. The approximate cost of this project is of 5000 dollars.
–Santina Mascera
–Gustavo Castellanos
Good Samaritan Department
Please send your contributions to the following bank account:
Bank of America
11021 La Reina Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
U.S.A.
ABA number: 121 000 358 (for transfers within the U.S.A.)
SWIFT Code: BOFAUS6S (for transfers from abroad)
Account number: 02228-03651
Account holder: IMS
7 Day Adv. Church
If sending money by check, please remit amount to “IMS 7 Day Adv. Church.”
In order to recognize these offerings, we kindly ask you to indicate the purpose “The Good Samaritan” when sending money transfers or checks. In addition, please post this letter in all our churches and headquarters, and read it during the missionary minutes at the beginning or at the end of the Sabbath School service.
