HOPE Spots!

HOPE Spot #21: Friday 26th May 2023

the power of one

This week I had a couple of meetings in town.

Between meetings, I had a moment to walk through a beautiful autumn-leaved park.

I found this plaque on a seat …

I have no idea who Ralph and Jennifer were …

… but I was really struck by the last line:

Too dearly loved to be forgotten

That message is at the heart of all you do for people through ALWS.

These days, media attention lasts a moment.

The devastating Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar two weeks ago: forgotten.

The crisis in Sudan forcing millions of people to flee: forgotten.

But not by you.

The compassion and generosity of people like you means ALWS has been able to commit $100,000 of emergency aid to help people hurt by those disasters.

Food. Shelter. Hygiene Kits.

Welcome. Care. Kindness.

You can see new updates on your life-transforming help here:

• Sudan Update 4
• Cyclone Mocha Update 3

Which brings me back to my meetings in town this week.

I’d been invited to share at Comunet (a hi-tech digital company in Adelaide) about ALWS work in Somalia.

(I was more nervous than normal, because technology and I get on about as well as Collingwood and Carlton supporters do!)

The company was having a Porridge Party to raise money to help children in Somalia go to school, and be protected from famine, using our ALWS 18:1 Grant.

As you can see below, the company really got hold of the porridge idea and offered all kinds of varieties (though I was far too nervous to try any):

What made me smile was that the company is mostly young people, and they had to look up a recipe on the internet to know how to make the porridge!

Yet, look at what they achieved!

Dozens of children in Somalia can now go to school and have a cup of fortified porridge at school each day

What’s most amazing though is this all started with one person in the company.

Michelle organised a Team for our Barossa Valley ALWS Walk My Way a couple years back.

That led to this Porridge Party …

… and the chance for me to share with staff the extraordinary things ‘ordinary’ people can do for others through ALWS.

That is the power of one.

That power starts with people like you who say about people in Somalia, Sudan and Myanmar:

Too dearly loved to be forgotten

Thank you – you are a blessing ALWayS!

Don’t forget those who are suffering,

but imagine you are there with them.

Hebrews 13:3b

HOPE Spot #20: Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Your name in the newspaper…

I wrote to the Weekend Australian about you yesterday.

On the weekend, the newspaper had a big story about the efforts of our Government and Defence Forces evacuating Australian-connected families from Sudan.

While I didn’t mention you by name in my letter, and I doubt it will be published …

… I wanted to highlight how people like you are also heroes in crises like Sudan.

(You can see my Letter to Editor below.)

Your kindness and generosity through ALWS are the reason families like this one …

Photo: Colin Delfosse

… can be welcomed with food and water, and love and care.

Treated not as refugees, but as guests.

When you hear Ashta’s story, you see what a blessing such a welcome would be. She’s 32, and fled her home in Darfur with her husband and six children:

 “At home I was growing onions. When a member of our community was killed, we decided to leave town …

We took our children and left. The older ones walked, the smaller ones were on the back of our donkey, and the baby was on my back.

 I’m relieved now, but I still think about what happened. I haven’t received any help yet, but I’m still happy.”

When I saw the photo of Ashti and her children on the donkey, I was reminded of Jesus’ story of The Good Samaritan:

… who, when he saw a man beaten and bleeding on the side of a dangerous road

… did not cross to the other side to stay safe

… but came close, kneeling down to patch up the wounds

… then loaded the injured man onto a donkey to carry him to proper care.

This is what you are doing now for families fleeing Sudan.

These are families it seems the world has forgotten …

… yet your compassion means ALWS can commit $100,000 to the relief effort of the LWF teams caring for Sudanese families fleeing to the Ethiopia and South Sudan borders.

It’s a big challenge, as you can see here on the border with Chad …

Photo: Colin Delfosse

… yet the power of love that comes to life is bigger. You’ll see this as you read Update 3 of your ALWS action.

If this touches your heart, you’re welcome to donate here.

I doubt your ALWS action will make a Letter to the Editor in a newspaper, let alone a headline to give you public glory.

So, let me thank you here, privately. You are a blessing – ALWayS.

PS:  the people of Sudan are not the only ones forgotten by the world. So are the people of Myanmar, hit by Cyclone Mocha last week, and struggling through a political crisis.

Through ALWS, you support them with food, shelter and Hygiene Kits, and rebuilding schools inside Displaced Persons Camps. You can see your ALWS action in Myanmar here in Update 2.

Thank you!

HOPE Spot #19: Thursday 18th May 2023

Your ALWS-supported team safe after Myanmar Cyclone

Through ALWS you help thousands of people hurt by conflict in Myanmar.

On Sunday, the areas you work in Rakhine State were hit by the devastating Cyclone Mocha.

Villagers saw a huge wave 10 metres high wash huts and whole villages out to sea.

460 people are reported killed, and fears are held for many more.

On-site volunteers and community leaders report:

• Family shelters, made of bamboo and tarpaulin, destroyed
• Latrines and bathing stations damaged
• Very limited phone connection

Communications have been challenging, but ALWS has received this update from the Head of our Partner’s team in Myanmar.

(For security reasons, I cannot mention our Partner’s name.)

Dear All,

All full-time staff are safe and accounted for, as are our camp and community-based incentive workers and volunteers.

The communications remain a challenge as power is still out and cell phone are running out of batteries in the more remote camps, etc.

We have succeeded in getting the generator at the office running so phones can be charged by staff.

We are working on Travel Authorizations for staff to access camps.

They returned to Sittwe yesterday and will be undertaking rapid needs assessments in coordination with OCHA and the UN Clusters starting today, access permitting, as some areas are still flooded.

Camp and communities in high-risk areas were also relocated to safer evacuation centres.

We lost communications for a day, but phone, internet and flights are all operational again as of yesterday evening. Electricity is still out.

We want to assure you that despite the challenges we have good working relations with the authorities and can informally access those in need through our camp and community- based staff.

Thank you again for your goodwill and to respond to all those in need after Cyclone Mocha and beyond.

David

There has been damage to our partner’s office in Sittwe, as you can see below:

On your behalf, ALWS has committed an immediate $100,000 for the emergency response.

Critical needs are likely to include:
• temporary shelter
• water and sanitation
• emergency food supplies
• clothing

The families you are helping already had very little.

Some have been living in Displaced Persons Camps for 10 years. The current political crisis increases the challenge.

That’s why our Partner’s network of community-based workers is so important.

They are trusted by both the authorities and the communities, and this is vital to getting your ALWS help through to where you are most needed.

The Australian Government also has confidence to support your ALWS work in Myanmar …

… and I have high hopes that very soon I can share news with you of a new 5:1 Grant!

You are a blessing ALWayS – especially at times of emergency!

PS: As soon as I have confirmation of the potential 5:1 Australian Government Grant for Myanmar, I will let you know.

I hope this will be within the next two weeks, so our 5:1 donations can be claimed as a tax benefit this financial year. Thank you!

HOPE Spot #18a: Thursday 11th May 2023

I made a mistake yesterday…

… so instead of eating Cornerstone Cake, today I’m eating humble pie!

When I told you about the amount of Development Aid in Tuesday’s budget, I wrote:

                   For 23/24, this is: $4,768 billion.

Of course, it should be: $4.768 billion.

A full stop instead of a comma.

But a factor of 1000. Sigh. Sorry.

In correcting my mistake, let me add one extra detail to my graphic from yesterday. It’s at the end:

  Imagine our total income

– Gross National Income –

       as one of these:

What we give to people

      in poor countries

         is one of these:

in fact, it’s less

– just 19 cents.

PS: Thank you to Neil for pointing out my error!

HOPE Spot #18: Wednesday 10th May 2023

Did you get your slice?

Last week I told you how students at Cornerstone College in SA created 52 cakes in their Annual Bake-Off …

… and sold them slice-by-slice to support children in Somalia to go to school.

As I’ve watched the media Budget talk …

… I thought about those cakes.

It seems everybody wants their slice of the Budget Cake …

… and for it to be bigger.

That’s for others to comment on.

I’ll just share the facts about Australia’s aid for people in poor countries. Our:

Official Development Assistance.

For 23/24, this is: $4,768 billion.

Which sounds like a lot of money. And is …

… until you look at Australia’s total income.

Imagine our total income

– Gross National Income –

as one of these:

What we give to people

in poor countries

is one of these:

In fact, it’s less

– just 19 cents.

That makes us 27^Th out of 30 rich countries (OECD) in our generosity. (Sweden gives FIVE TIMES what Australia does.)

I don’t know how that makes you feel  …

… but it makes me feel a little ‘crumby’.

I don’t blame the Government. Whatever Government we have.

It is us as an Australian community who tell our leaders what is important to us …

… which is why ALWS does welcome the Budget commitment to increase the amount Australia gives by 2.5% per year from 26/27 forward.

If we want a larger slice of the cake for those who only get crumbs swept from our table …

… then we need to speak up, LOUD, so those who are most vulnerable are not forgotten.

Is that having my cake, and eating it too?

Thank you for being a blessing ALWayS.

 ALWS works with networks like MICAH to speak up for those who don’t get heard. I hope this info today is helpful when you talk with people. 😊

HOPE Spot #17: Tuesday 9th May 2023

When the kids at Kingaroy decided to help kids in Somalia through ALWS … 

… they really put their foot in it. 

Not just with the Crazy Socks Day you see above … 

… but stepping out on their own ALWS Walk My Way too. 

Meanwhile, in SA’s Barossa Valley … 

… you needed to be very careful not to put your foot in it. 

There, the local Lutheran Parish held Cockroach Races and Yabby Races outside a century-old shearing shed …  

… as they raised money to support children in Somalia at their annual ‘Blessing of Seeds, Soils and Waters’! 

What’s exciting about my role here at ALWS is that I get to see first-hand all the wonderful ways people like you bring love to life … 

… like St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sydney, right near the heart of Kings Cross, who on Sunday served up porridge to raise money for children in Somalia. 

Today, I just want to thank you for all you do for others through ALWS … 

… and encourage you that you are not alone in having a heart of kindness in this world where so many people need our help. 

Tonight, when the Budget is delivered, media will encourage us to ask:  

‘What’s In It for Me?’ 

Meanwhile, people like you ask:  

‘What’s In Me that I can do for Others?’  

That’s why together we can support children in Somalia … 

… and respond straightaway to help people fleeing the Sudan crisis*.  

Crazy socks.  

     Kindness. 

Cockroaches. 

     Courage.  

Porridge.  

     Passion. 

This is why you are a blessing ALWayS. Thank you! 

* Please see Update 2 on your ALWS response to the crisis in Sudan. 

HOPE Spot #16: Friday 28th April 2023

Nope. 

These luscious creations weren’t lovingly handcrafted by a local Ladies Group for a church stall. 

Or made by me.  

(My first job was 5 years as a 5am pastry-chef in a Czech bakery in inner Melbourne.) 

 In fact, the amazing cakes you see here were created by students of Naturi House at Cornerstone Lutheran College in Mt Barker South Australia … 

… and are just 3 out of a total 52 cakes the students made!  

The best cakes are judged to find a winner … 

… and then sold off slice-by-slice to raise money to use the ALWS 18:1 Grant  

… to support children in Somalia to go to school 

… with a hot meal of porridge each day for the whole school year 

… prepared in a kitchen perhaps ‘slightly’ different to yours 

 No matter what kitchen you have, or what quality cook you might be … 

… if you’re kind and caring, they’re the only ingredients you need to make a difference in a child’s life. 

As the students at Cornerstone did … 

… with the $2217.60 they raised in their Bake-Off, to support 220 Somali children at school. (Proving you can have your cake and eat it too!) 

And as you do … 

… with everything you do to bring love to life for people through ALWS. 

That’s why you’re a blessing ALWayS – thank you! 

PS: See how I resisted making any bad Dad jokes about cakes?   

Until now.  

What do you call your Dad when he’s eaten so much cake he’s about to explode? 

Pops. 

Sorry – that was crumby. 😊 

HOPE Spot #15: Tuesday 25th April 2023

Today, on ANZAC Day, we take time out from our everyday to reflect on those who gave their lives, their health, their youth, their sons and daughters … 

… that we might live in a world of peace. 

Sadly, for millions of people that world of peace seems a world away. 

Ukraine. Myanmar. Ethiopia. Somalia. Afghanistan.  

Sadder still, is when those of us who are blessed with comfort, forget those who are hurting.

   That’s why today, as I huddle in the cold with the crowd gathered around our town’s war memorial … 

… waiting for dawn to break and the bugle’s mournful cry to call the past into the now  

… I’ll also take time to think on those people hurt by war and conflict who, through ALWS, you work so hard to make sure are not forgotten.    

 Lest we forget, let’s remember… 

I remember Jacob …

… who quietly kept me out of trouble’s way at Dadaab Refugee Camp on the border with Somalia 

… who saw friends killed by the Improvised Explosive Devices of terrorists Al Shabaab 

… who had to live behind a 3 metre high dirt-packed wall, designed by the US Army to stop the shred of shrapnel 

… who wanted to be an Accountant in Nairobi  

… but told me God had called him to serve here 

… and so serve he would. 

I remember Ma Med …

… forced to live in a Displaced Persons Camp just five kilometres from his home in Myanmar 

… who saw his house burned 

… his neighbours attacked with ‘long knives’ … 

… who told me: 

“At this time the children are crying. They cannot eat for three days. The children saw everything that happened, and after they see, they hold on to us, and are crying.” 

… a Dad, who could find it in his heart to say: 

“I still love the people who did these things.” 

I remember Concepta …

… whose husband was killed in the war in South Sudan 

 … who fled with a child on her back, another held by the hand, another in her belly 

 … whose two teen daughters were kidnapped to be ‘wives’ to commanders  

 … who became a leader in education for children at Kakuma Refugee Camp, working with your Lutheran-supported team to give other children what she could not give her own 

 … telling me: 

 “Since the beginning of this pre-school, the people of Australia have been supporting us, and we are very much appreciating it. Without them, we thought the pre-school would close down. Tell them we are still working hard, and we welcome them helping us very much. They are the top people in the world assisting us. We are really thankful.” 

Today I also remember you … 

… and how blessed ALWS is that you do not forget those who are suffering 

… and through your kindness and caring bring love to life in their lives. 

Thank you for saying, and living, ‘Lest we forget’.  

Today, and ALWayS. 

Don’t forget those who are suffering, 

but imagine you are there with them. 

Hebrews 13:3b 

HOPE Spot #14: Tuesday 18th April 2023

I had hoped to be writing this HOPE Spot to you from Tigray in northern Ethiopia.

I wanted to show you where the food and support you supplied through ALWS was transforming lives.

However, last Wednesday we received an urgent email from Sophie Gebrayes, who leads the LWF team you support in Ethiopia.

(That’s Sophie in the photo, at the opening of a borehole you supported through ALWS.)

Conflict has broken out. Two aid workers have been killed. The Australian Government has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’.

That means instead of seeing first-hand the food you provide for people threatened by famine in the Horn of Africa …

… I’ll be in my office at home south of Adelaide.

Selfishly, I was feeling a bit disappointed for myself, until two messages arrived in my In-Box:

Photo: LWF Ethiopia

(I know at least two churches are also holding a Power Porridge Party to help provide food and school for children in Somalia using our 18:1 Grant.)

That brings me to the second email that arrived in my In-Box, from the front-line team you support in Somalia. They wanted to show you the children receiving the porridge you provide: 

Photo: LWF Somalia

This is your work, what happens when your kindness brings love to life!

After the children have finished their porridge, they’ll go into the classrooms you see behind them (which you also helped build through ALWS).

There they will receive the schooling you provide through the 18:1 Grant …

Photo: LWF Somalia

… where your $10 donation can support a child in school for the rest of this year with teachers, desks, uniform, support for children with disabilities

… along with a cup of fortified porridge each day (200+ meals this year).

So, when I see the joy you bring these children in Somalia, then I happily say:

 ‘No, I am not sick of porridge yet!’

Thank you for being a blessing to these children – ALWayS!

PS: If prayer is one of the ways you care for people, I know Sophie’s LWF team in Ethiopia would appreciate your prayer support at this time. Thank you!

PPS: And if you’d like to hold your own Power Porridge Party, check out the details below!

HOPE Spot #13: Wednesday 12th April 2023

$2 for 1.8kg. 

That’s how much the rolled oats cost for the Power Porridge Party I cooked for ALWS Staff and Board Members before Easter. 

Add a litre of milk, and total cost was under $5 … to produce 40 serves. 

Which we offered for a $10 donation.  

($10 with the 18:1 Somalia Matching Grant can support a child in school for a year with a School Meal each day – around 200+ meals.) 

Our Guest Speaker, the Reverend Tim Costello, who leads the Help Fight Famine campaign of Australian churches through the Micah Foundation, got stuck in … 

… though I didn’t have the same success encouraging people to ‘go commando’  

(having the porridge plain, to feel even closer to the children they help in Somalia). 

Instead, people donated extra for access to this table … 

Which brings us to the school renamed ‘Jacinta’ in Somalia. 

I can’t show you a photo of the school, because that kind of exposure makes it a target for terrorist group Al Shabaab. (The same reason the school has no name on it anywhere.) 

Yurub, a front-line LWF worker you support in Somalia, explained why the community renamed the school Jacinta – the name of your ALWS Program Coordinator for Somalia: 

When I read all these things you achieve for the children through ALWS … 

… the school could just as well have been renamed <<MARTHA>> SCHOOL! 

I don’t know what kind of day you’re having today … 

… or what you had for breakfast  

… but I hope this message from Somalia brings you a smile as big as these: 

That’s your work <<Martha>> … and why you’re a blessing. ALWayS! Thank you! 

PS: You might consider having your own Power Porridge Party? Maybe for the first day of winter? If you do, take a photo and tell me about it!  JK 

HOPE Spot #12: Tuesday 4th April 2023

What do you remember about 2018? 

For me, it seems a lifetime ago. 

My clearest memory is my wife Julie beginning the 18-months planning and production process for our 70s-themed 60th birthday.  

Which turned out like what you see in the photo (check out the shoes!)

Back in 2018 … 

… who could have imagined some of the things that have happened since then: 

COVID-19… 

… 761,402,282 cases worldwide  

… 6,887,000 lives lost 

Russia invading Ukraine… 

… up to 60,000 Russian soldiers killed 

… 13,000 Ukrainian soldiers 

… 7,200 civilians 

… 8 million Ukrainians become refugees 

… another 5.3 million displaced inside Ukraine 

Floods … 

… five years ago Australia was in the grip of the horror 2018 – 2019 drought 

AUKUS … 

… 8 submarines 

… up to $368 billion 

… (Australia’s foreign aid budget 2022/23:  $4.549 billion) 

AI … 

… did a computer write this HOPE Spot? 

… no – but apparently now it can. 

All this happened in just five years. 

Few could have predicted any of it. 

Which makes it really hard to know what might happen during the next five years.  

(Apart from Julie starting planning for our next ‘big’ birthday!) 

This is the challenge we all sometimes face. Finding the balance between … 

… looking forward to responsibly plan for what may be 

… looking back to learn from what has happened. 

What’s really important is we don’t overlook what is happening now … 

… like the famine threatening the Horn of Africa, which the world seems to have forgotten. 

That’s why ALWS is so thankful for people like you. 

You see what people need now, and you act.  

We’ve seen that in the wonderfully generous response to the 18:1 Somalia Grant to help children in Somalia go to school and have food to eat … 

… and how the ALWS family is providing shelter and support through our partner LWF to survivors of the Turkiye / Syria Earthquake. 

Your kindness last year … 

… we’re preparing your 2022 Annual Report. When you receive it, you’ll see: 

In 2022, working with other caring people like you, 

 together we impacted the lives of 343,267 people! 

(PLUS the tens of thousands of Ukrainian people that continue to benefit from our ALWS support through ACT Alliance.) 

For me, this demonstrates that no matter what the world (and the next five years) bring … 

… when we work together to bring love to life, each one of us can do extraordinary things! 

Thank you for all you do – you are a blessing ALWayS! 

Jonathan 

PS: One of the ways I am looking to the future is updating the gift Julie and I leave in our Wills to ALWS – though hopefully that’s still a few birthdays away yet!  

If you’d like a copy of our Lives You Touch brochure to show how you can do that too, simply give us a call on 1300 763 407. Thank you! 

HOPE Spot #11: Tuesday 28th March 2023

Last year, Australia had a record winter grain crop.

Our farmers harvested 67.3 million tonnes.

(That’s despite the floods that hurt so many.)

If you loaded that grain into a B-Double like this …

… you’d need 1.5 million trucks to transport all that grain!

Put those B-Doubles end-to-end, and there’d be a line of trucks 30,000 kilometres long …

… that’s TWICE around Australia on Highway #1!

That’s something our country can be thankful for, and proud of …

… but doesn’t come close to the pride and thanks that farmer Amare Mulawa feels about four cobs of corn he’s grown in Ethiopia.

Photo: LWF Ethiopia

You know already about the five years of drought that threatens famine in  Ethiopia and Somalia.

What you might not know is that a new corn seed variety

– called ‘Lutheran’! –

 is transforming life for families like Amare’s.

Amare is a role-model farmer, supported by the LWF team in Ethiopia, now successfully growing ‘Lutheran’ corn.

“For the first time, I was able to earn almost ETB 9,000 ($600) from the sale of ‘Lutheran’ grown on my land.”

Amare is happy to explain why he prefers the new grain.

“To start with, it has a superior taste.

Secondly, the corn stalk holds three or four large cobs, whereas the old kind only holds one or two small ones, maximum.

Furthermore, due to the leafiness and thickness of the cob cover, it does not get attacked by birds and pests.

I now get 6 ETB (30 cents) for one cob, whereas before I used to get half the amount.”

“Finally, even if Lutheran takes two extra months to grow, it’s worth the wait due to the size, yield, taste, overall quality and potential for commercialisation.”

Amare concludes: “If you want to triple your income, get Lutheran!”

 I’m not sure if you watched Foreign Correspondent last week, with its feature on Somalia. (You can still watch it on ABC iView.)

What’s happening with the drought there, and in Ethiopia, threatens famine.

ALWS action like the 18:1 Grant to provide Daily School Meals of fortified porridge, and a year of schooling, to 8,080 children in Somalia …

… along with agricultural innovations like Amare’s ‘Lutheran’ corn

… and the fact ALWS supporters like you continue to reach out with care and kindness to help people far away, people you’ve never met

… means for families like Amare’s, you deliver a B-Double load of blessing. ALWayS.

Thank you!

Jonathan

PS: I will be heading off to Ethiopia straight after Easter to look at how ALWS can grow our action here as we work together to help fight famine. If you’d like me to visit your church / school / Fellowship Group / Probus etc, just reply to this email, or call 1300 763 407. I’d love to share with you (and promise not to tell too many of my ‘corny’ Dad jokes! 😊

HOPE Spot #10: Thursday 23rd March 2023

Tonight (urgent) … and yesterday 

 Can I urge you to watch Foreign Correspondent tonight.

 It’s on at 8pm on ABC (or catch up on iView). 

 The 30-minute program is focused on Somalia, where you work through ALWS. 

 I only saw the promo on TV this morning, but you will see scenes like this:

What you may not see is the food you are already delivering through ALWS and our partner LWF Somalia:

The photo shows one of your ALWS-supported food distributions in Somalia.  

Each pack you see is a monthly food ration for a family of six.  

($105 can supply that 80kg pack of rice, wheat flour, sugar, vegetable oil and dates.) 

Foreign Correspondent tonight also interviews a young Somali mum, 7 months pregnant, who walked 30 kilometres a day, for many days, to find safety … 

… exactly the safety and support you offer in Displaced Persons Camps to families in Somalia who have lost everything. 

Later, the reporter looks fearfully into the camera, as the crew has received word that terrorist group Al Shabaab knows where they are. 

I vividly recall that same fear when I was talking with a Somali mum in a refugee camp, and we received word that Al Shabaab knew we were there. (That kind of challenge is why we at ALWS always welcome your prayers!) 

While I’m not sure what else will be in the Foreign Correspondent story tonight … 

… you can take heart knowing that through our 18:1 Matching Grant, you are supporting Somali children, like those you see on the TV, to go to school: 

Thanks to the 18:1 Grant, just $10 can provide a Daily Meal of fortified porridge (200+ meals in a year) plus everything a child needs to go to school. 

That brings us to another school, back here in Australia, yesterday. 

Celia, who leads our ALWS work in schools inspiring students to action, shared what happened after she’d delivered a chapel to the school about Somalia: 

Delivered a chapel this morning and then a big Year 12 lad, Muhammad, came up to me afterwards with his phone in hand and asked how he can make a donation.  

He wanted to donate $20. 10 each for him and his brother. 

I helped him get onto our website on his phone, and showed him how, and he did it then and there. When I asked him what moved him to do this he said: 

“We have so much… I wish I could give more,  

but I want to do this for two people like me and my brother.” 
 

Thank you for your love and care and kindness. 

Please watch Foreign Correspondent tonight at 8pm on the ABC, and see first-hand the people for whom you are a blessing – ALWayS. 

Jonathan 

PS: Something else happened yesterday … ALWS Team Member, Julie, was calling supporters to say thank you for their generosity. A very senior lady, who’d been faithfully giving donations of $20, was grateful for the call, and even had Julie pray for her as she was feeling unwell. It was only when Julie finished the call that she realised the lady hadn’t given $20 … but $20,000! 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

HOPE Spot #9: Tuesday 21st March 2023

Bless our guest

Last Friday I went to the funeral of a family member – ‘Uncle’ Keith. It was a small funeral.  Just 12 people. 11 of us family.  Up back, on his own, sat a gentleman no one knew.

 

It was only at the graveside, when he shared a few words, that we learnt he had been the hairdresser for Uncle Keith for many years.   He’d quietly made the journey from citysalon to country town for the funeral farewell. That sort of extra effort made me think of you, our supporters…. … and what you do for people through ALWS.  You give quiet humble care.

Happy to sit in the ‘back row’, yet ready to help make sure no one is forgotten or overlooked.   On the same day as Uncle Keith’s funeral, I received an update from the LWF team you support in Poland, caring for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.   NB: Poland hosts 1.5 million people forced to flee Ukraine.   The LWF team don’t refer to the people they serve as ‘refugees’. Instead, they call them ‘guests’. That says a lot. The people aren’t numbers to be processed. They are guests to be welcomed.  Made to feel at home. Delighted with hospitality, and little acts of kindness. The vicar of the Lutheran Church welcoming guests from Ukraine, Adam Bujok, explained: “The word refugee creates a distance. There is no distance in the word guests.” You can see that approach come to life in the care the LWF team, and volunteers from Lutheran churches, give their guests, on behalf of people like you whose kindness helps make it possible:

 

Volunteers help children make handcrafts. Others bake cakes … then listen. Some serve up spaghetti. New friends manicure the nails of mums who survived bombings You can see why this hands-on personal care is precious when you hear stories from survivors – like 10 year-old Fedir, who escaped from a town close-by a nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
	One day Fedir rode his bicycle to get milk: “I heard explosions and rode my bike very fast.  I saw a crowd of people. I came closer, and I saw a person lying in blood.

 

People cried, and there was broken glass everywhere.  A tree was burning in the city centre. The explosion had thrown a man’s dog away. An ambulance came and took the person that was lying there.  He was a power plant worker, and people said he died.” That happened six months ago, and Fedir still recalls every detail. Children carry trauma with them … … as you can see when children playing with Lego build army checkpoints with their plastic bricks. That’s why kindness is so critical.          Reading storybooks.                     Manicuring nails.                              Cooking food.                                        Cutting Uncle Keith’s hair. Thank you for all you do through ALWS to bring your love to life for guests like … … Fedir, now safe in Poland  … children going to school in Somalia thanks to 18:1 Grant donations  … earthquake survivors in Aleppo in Syria, who now have shelter. Your kindness and care help make sure no one is forgotten. That’s why you are a blessing to your guests – ALWayS.   Jonathan Krause, Community Action Manager, ALWS   Photos: LWF Poland

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HOPE Spot #8: Wednesday 8th March 2023

Someone is stealing my future – International Women’s Day

Today it is one year since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.

 

8 million Ukrainian people were forced to flee.

180,000 Russian soldiers are estimated killed or wounded.

100,000 Ukrainian soldiers too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

 

40,000 Ukrainian civilians killed.

At least 400 children.

 

What’s a life worth?

 

The death toll from the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria is now more than 46,000 people.

A million people homeless.

26 million people needing aid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: GOPA– DERD / ACT Alliance

 

What’s a life worth?

 

When you read those numbers, you can feel overwhelmed.

Wonder what you can do.

That’s why I want to tell you about Christian… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(That’s Christian being a funny fella as he and I worked the barbie at an ALWS Walk My Way.)

 

Christian was a highly-valued colleague here at ALWS.

A good friend.

A loving husband.

A fun-filled dad.

On Wednesday, it was the second anniversary of cancer taking Christian’s life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: ALWS

 

When I think about how much we miss Christian:

•    his big ever-present smile 

•    his over-the-top generosity – especially with lollies!

•    his heart full of passion to help others, as a Primary teacher … advocate for the poor through ALWS … worker of wood

… it reminds me how precious each person is who you help through ALWS. 

 

How loved they are … 

… how much love they give

… and how worthy they are of the love you bring to their life:

 

In Ukraine, building bomb-shelters in basements of schools so children are safe to learn.

In Syria, serving meals and putting up emergency shelters for families left homeless by the earthquake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: GOPA- DERD / ACT Alliance

 

In Somalia, sending children to school, with a meal of porridge each day to protect them against the deadly threat of famine.

 

So, what’s a life worth?

 

Your kindness and generosity tell the people you help they are valuable, and valued.

For people in danger of being forgotten by the world, that’s a priceless gift.

So today, on these anniversaries that bring so much pain …

… I thank you for bringing love to life.

 

It is worth it.

ALWayS.

 

Jonathan

Jonathan Krause – Community Action manager

 

PS: Just a reminder about the 18:1 Matching Grantto support children in Somalia to go to school. Thanks to the Grant, your impact is 18 TIMES your personal donation … so, just $10 can provide support for one year – school uniform + school desk + daily school meal (200+ meals of porridge) + renovated classrooms + Dignity Kits for girls + training for teachers. Donate 18:1 now!

 

 

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HOPE Spot #5: Tuesday 21st February

Porridge – how do you like it?

I’m not sure if you think much about porridge.

 

It’s been on my mind because of the new 18:1 Grant you can use to provide porridge to children threatened by famine in Somalia.

 

Back when I was a kid, we had two versions of porridge – Dad’s was boiled in water, Mum’s in milk.

 

Dad’s was thin, Mum’s thick.

 

 

I’m not brave enough to say which I liked best … but neither matched the Froot Loops I craved, but our family couldn’t afford.

 

Instead, porridge was a cheap easy way to fill the tummies of four hungry kids – Porridge isn’t cheap and easy anymore.

 

Go to a café, and they add fancy this, and healthy that, and colourful something else.

For me, the only fancy thing to put on top of porridge is Milo! Two spoons.

 

But whatever porridge you prefer …

 

… I’m sure none will taste quite like the porridge you serve up as a School Meal for children in Somalia, using the new ALWS 18:1 Matching Grant.

 

The School Porridge you provide is mixed cereal food (rice, wheat, sorghum, millet) and protein (beans) blended to porridge.

 

Not so delicious, but super nutritious!

 

The porridge is delivered as a dry ration to parents, up to 10kg per family per month.

 

This has two benefits – it saves cost plus engages parents in the process.

 

There is a special focus on ensuring children with disabilities receive all the nutritional support they need.

 

What’s amazing is the 18:1 Grant means your donation of just $10 can support a child in Somalia in school for one year ($184 value) – school uniform + learning materials + renovated classrooms + training for teachers +

 

… 200 School Meals of fortified porridge!

DONATE 18:1 NOW!

Your gift of porridge keeps children strong and healthy now …

… while the schooling you provide builds children for the future.

 

This really came home to me when I talked to Regina, a refugee cook at the Reception Centre at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Here, you support new arrivals from countries like Somalia to be welcomed with food and shelter …

 

             “My biggest priority is education

              for my children. I will do whatever

              I have to do, go wherever I have

                   to go, so they can have

                       a stable education.”

 

Photo: ALWS

 

“I have nobody here at Kakuma, but I know that education is the biggest gift I can give my children.

 

That is why we are here, and why I work in this kitchen.

 

After we arrived, I was one year without a job.

 

I was praying very hard God will bring me a job because I did not have any money to help my children. I kept coming here in the Reception Centre asking for a job. They kept saying no. But I kept asking and asking.

 

I begged the Officer, even if you don’t pay me, let me work here for just a little extra food I can give my children.

 

I worked for one month without pay, and then I got this official job. They had seen my efforts, and my good work, and so they gave me a job.

 

On the days I must cook porridge, I wake up at 5am. I come here and I build the fire. In the pot I put water until it boils. I put in the porridge, and stir this for 15 minutes. Then it goes in the serving pot.

 

Some days I cook for 2,000 people. Today it is more than 1,000.

 

There are four cooks working with me. One person is at the pot, stirring. Another is collecting wood to put in the fire. The other is washing the utensils. Two remain for serving.

 

I want to say thank you very much to the people who give. You really help us so much.

 

There are children here who have lost their parents, but at the end of each day they have a plate of food because of you.

God bless you.”

 

I think you can see now why your porridge is so precious!

 

Our ALWS aim is to use the 18:1 Grant to support 8,080 Somali children to go to school, and have the porridge each day that can protect them from the threat of famine.

 

If you’d like to help serve up porridge, you’re welcome to donate 18:1 now!

 

Jonathan Krause,
Community Action Manager, ALWS

 

PS: Earthquake Update Yet again, the kindness and generosity of the ALWS family is shining through, and we have now met our in-faith ALWS commitment of $80,000 to support earthquake survivors. Your help will go to work in Aleppo in Syria, through our partner LWF and Caritas Syria, aiming to provide shelter, meals and support for children to return to school. Thank you!

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HOPE Spot #4: Wednesday 15th February

GOOD NEWS – new 18:1 Grant to support Somali children to go to school

 

Each day seems to bring more bad news from Turkiye and Syria, where more than 35,000 people have lost their lives to the earthquakes.

Through ALWS, you have a special focus on helping children, including with education…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: GOPA- DERD / ACT Alliance

 

School is one of the most effective ways to help children recover from trauma, as they see life can be ‘normal’ again.

Children learn. Have fun. Make friends. Play.

 

Right now, as the world is focused on Turkiye and Syria, it’s vital that families threatened by famine in Somalia and Ethiopia aren’t forgotten – especially the children.

 

That’s why I’m excited to bring you good news today:

 

A new 18:1 Grant means you can protect children

in Somalia from deadly hunger…

… plus support them to go to school!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 DONATE 18:1 NOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at what you do for each child you help:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cost to give this support to one child for one whole year averages $184.

 

The 18:1 Grant means you can do

all this for a child for just $10!

 

(Includes 200+ School Meals of fortified porridge

– one per day for the whole school year –

vital to protect children against hunger!)

 

DONATE 18:1 NOW

 

Why the children need you – especially the girls!

 

Our aim is to support 8,080 Somali children to go to school …

… of whom 5,300 are girls – about the same ratio as the photo above.

 

The reason is only 3% of girls and women in Somalia have completed primary education …

… and 99% have suffered the trauma of Female Genital Mutilation.

 

Supporting girls to go to school is a very practical effective way you can help girls overcome this disadvantage they suffer simply because they are girls.

Your 18:1 donation even includes Dignity Kits for girls with female-only hygiene essentials!

 

Here’s how your 18:1 Grant works

I have sent out a Mail Pack with all the details of the 18:1 Grant from ALWS partners in Europe and the US, but this simple diagram summarises what it means for you:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 18:1 Grant you give help 18 TIMES your personal donation 

Plus, your donation is tax-deductible.

So, if you’d like to support a child in Somalia to go to school, and be safe from hunger, simply DONATE 18:1 NOW!

 

The table below is a guide to how many children you can support:

 

 

 

 

Thank you from Hani

Let me leave you with Hani, a girl in Somalia who has already benefitted from the schooling people like you have provided through ALWS:

 

 

 

“I missed my chance for education because my parents couldn’t afford the school fees. This had disappointed me a lot.

In fact, it was very painful. When you get discouraged, your future remains in the dark, but I always wished that better chances would arrive.

 

I never had such opportunities before, and now there is great difference.

I am very happy. Thanks for giving me such a wonderful support.”

 

Thank you for your wonderful support. You are a blessing ALWayS!

 

Jonathan

 

PS: Our ALWS aim is to support 8,080 children in Somalia to go to school, and be safe from hunger. Using the 18:1 Grant, your donation of $10 can support a child in school for one year – including 200+ daily School Means. Please donate 18:1 now to give more Somali children like Hani ‘better chances’ and ‘opportunities’!

 

 

 

 

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HOPE Spot #3: Tuesday 14th February

You did it for me …

Thanks to the kindness of people like you for victims of the Türkiye Syria earthquake:

 

ALWS can DOUBLE AGAIN our in-faith commitment

for the emergency relief effort – to $80,000!

 

Already, as of 8 am Tuesday 14 February, $75 901 has been donated … 

thank you!  

 

DONATE NOW

 

Our ALWS commitment will support the work of Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Aleppo in Syria. LWF will work with Caritas Syria to: 

 

• support 8,250 children with education 
• supply shelter and householder essentials to 5,000 people 
• deliver food for 27,500 people 
• give health support to 2,600 people 
• implement water and sanitation for 8,800 people 
• provide psycho-social first aid 

 

While there are challenges helping when so many are hurt … 

… you can take hope seeing the impact of your generosity, as these photos from another ACT Alliance partner, GOPA-DERD (from Greek Orthodox church) will show you:  

 

“When I was hungry …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you gave me something to eat 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was thirsty …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you gave me something to drink 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was a stranger … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you welcomed me 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was naked … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you gave me  something to wear 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO:MECC

 

When I was sick … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you took care of me 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTO:MECC

 

When I was in jail … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… you visited me 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Whenever you did it for any of my people … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… no matter how unimportant they seemed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… that was me,  you did it for me.” 

Jesus 

Inspired by Matthew 25:34-40 

 

Donate Now

 

Today, Valentine’s Day, celebrates romantic love. 

I thank you for the generous selfless humble love you bring to life for people who have lost everything. You are a blessing ALWayS! 

 

Jonathan 

Jonathan Krause

Community Action Manager

 

PS: Even as ALWS responds to this earthquake emergency in Türkiye and Syria, we have today mailed good news of an 18:1 Matching Grant to support 8,080 Somali children to go to school. This includes a daily school meal of fortified porridge to protect them from hunger.  Donate 18:1 for Somalia  to help make sure children threatened by famine aren’t forgotten. Thank you! 

 

All photos supplied by: GOPA-DERD, MECC -ACT Alliance

 

 

 

Yesterday my son sent me a photo from the Turkiye earthquake.

 

It is too heartbreaking to show you here …

… a father was holding the hand of his daughter, who lay crushed under the concrete.

 

My son is a 19 year-old tradie.

Tough as nails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet he said the photo brought him to tears.

It did me too.

 

The photo reminds us that when we see the horrifying death toll of more than 11,000 people …

… that each of those 11,000 people has a family and friends, who will now have to bear a loss that lasts a lifetime.

That’s why your help through ALWS is so precious, and why I’m thankful I can tell you:

 

Your generosity means we can now DOUBLE

our in-faith ALWS emergency support to $40,000!

 

DONATE NOW

 

Photos like the one my son sent me, and the one below from an ACT Alliance partner,  remind us that every single life is precious…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: GOPA-DERD / ACT Alliance

 

… worth clawing away with bare hands in the rubble of a collapsed building, even as darkness falls and the temperature drops to freezing.

 

Your ALWS action is precious not just here in Turkiye and Syria …

… but in crises the world seems to have forgotten:

 

•      threat of famine in Somalia and Ethiopia
•      families displaced and in danger in Myanmar
•      world’s poorest communities in South Sudan and Burundi.

 

Thank you for bringing hope where it’s hardest.

 

You can see this in a report I received overnight, outlining what ACT Alliance church partners are already doing in Turkiye / Syria:

 

•     provide hot cooked meals
•     distribute blankets and winterization items
•     deliver shelter items

 

 

 

On-the-ground teams in Syria are also carrying out needs assessments.

This work is challenging because of the impact of the 12 year civil war. It is planned that Christian Aid will lead response in non-government-controlled areas, while MECC (Middle East Council of Churches) will lead in government-controlled areas.

Your prayers are welcomed for the ACT Alliance teams you support here.

 

How else can you and I find hope where there is so much hurt?

I see flickers of hope in the humanity of:

 

• 45 nations sending aid and rescue workers
• churches of the world responding together through ACT Alliance
• Australian Government committing $10 million of aid
• Australian aid agencies working through Emergency Action Alliance
• Russia and Ukraine offering to help
• China making a contribution
• and, of course, people like you who care, and act

 

I pray that even as you see the hurt and pain in Syria and Türkiye …

… and think of the photo of the father holding the hand of his lost daughter

… you can take heart knowing your actions of love shine through the darkness, and show a way out of misery.

Thank you for being such a blessing. ALWayS.

 

Jonathan

Jonathan Krause – Community Action manager

 

PS: As ALWS responds to this earthquake emergency in Türkiye and Syria, we will maintain our efforts to help families of Ethiopia and Somalia threatened by looming famine.It is our commitment they will not be forgotten. The good news is we have locked in an 18:1 Matching Grant to support 8,080 Somali children to go to school – where they will receive daily school meals. The 18:1 Matching Grant means your personal impact is 18 TIMES your donation. 

 

Donate 18:1 for Somalia

 

PHOTOS: *GOPA-DERD is Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development

 

 

 

 

 

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HOPE Spot #2: Tuesday 7th February

Your ALWS action for Türkiye / Syria Earthquake

 

 

YOUR ALWS ACTION

 

Our plan is that your ALWS aid will be channelled through on-ground ACT Alliance partner, Christian Aid.

While damage assessments are still in process, our experience in responding to previous earthquake disasters indicates likely needs may include:

•      shelter
•      clean water
•      sanitation
•      household essentials
•      warm clothes

 

Thank you for any emergency response you may like to give – donate now

 

Jonathan

Jonathan Krause – Community Action Manager

 

 

Donate Here

 

 

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HOPE Spot #1: Friday 3rd February

What ABC listeners got wrong at Christmas

 

Lovely to talk with you. I hope you had a blessed Christmas.

If you got to have holidays too, I trust they went well. (Mine did – family, food, fun!)

One of the things I like most about summer is listening to the cricket on ABC radio.

 

 

 

Such a summer thing to do. The voices so smooth and soothing you soon slip into a nap.

(Not a good idea though if you’re wielding a power tool at the time!)

This year, the Australian team was so strong, the games all seemed to finish early, and I’d have to listen to ‘normal’ radio.

 

In one such session, the radio host asked listeners for three words to describe the season of Christmas.

(As you’d expect these days, Jesus didn’t get a mention. ☹)

What encouraged me though was that the three top words were:

 

HOPE

JOY

KINDNESS

 

As I thought about that, I realised I’m blessed to experience those three things year-round.

They are what you do for people through ALWS.

My only change would be to re-order the words:

 

      Your KINDNESS …

                                    … brings HOPE

                                                              … which creates JOY

 

The world can use all the kindness it can get.

The famine threatening in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Violence in Myanmar, and hurt for Rohingya refugees who fled.

The cold-blooded attacks on Ukraine.

 

When you see all the hurt …

… you may wonder if what you and I do together through ALWS makes a difference.

When I feel like that, I lift my eyes and see:

 

•      300 families in Somalia with 80kg of food per month,

because of you

•      thousands of displaced children in Myanmar with a school to go to,

because of you

•      schools in Ukraine with bomb-shelters in their basement to keep children safe,

because of you

 

Going back to the ABC listeners’ list of Christmas words, I reckon there’s one missing.

The most important word of all.

Love

 

The love we receive.

The love we then offer others.

The kind of love that never gives up …

 

… despite the fifth year of failed rains in Somalia and Ethiopia

… despite the unrelenting missile attacks of the Russians on Ukraine

… despite it being a full two years of brutal military junta in Myanmar

 

Love that is patient, kind, supportive, loyal, hopeful, trusting,

(1 Corinthians 13)

 

 

 

You can see what this means to these children, and their parents, at a Learning Space you helped build inside a Displaced Persons Camp in Myanmar.

Thank you for bringing your love to life through ALWS – you are a blessing ALWayS!

 

Jonathan

 

PS: Next week I can share news of an 18:1 Matching Grant that will vastly increase your ministry through ALWS for the children of Somalia!

 

HOPE Spot #46: Friday 16 December

When Frankenstein came to Christmas 

 

How’s your Christmas prep going? Busy, isn’t it.

I haven’t started yet …

 

… apart from sharing about your ALWS work at the Christmas & Carols service of two churches in the Barossa Valley last Sunday.

I wasn’t sure how to link together Christmas in Bethlehem 2,000+ years ago … to us here in Australia today … to the famine that’s been looming Somalia over the last few months.

 

It’s so easy for those worlds to seem so far apart.

 

 

 

That’s when Frankenstein came calling.

 

I was thinking about the Three Wise Men who came to welcome and worship the baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh …

… which led to my wife’s story of her uncle who managed in the Christmas reading at church to include Frankenstein among the gifts the Wise Men brought!

 

You can see in the photo the ‘gifts’ I used to symbolise the gifts of the wise men …

… but when children from the congregation opened the ‘Ho Ho’ gift boxes, they found something very different:

 

 

Photo:ALWS

 

This is the food ration you deliver to families threatened by famine in Somalia.

 

What you see here is food for a family of six for one week:

•    6kg of wheat flour

•    6 kg of rice

•    6 kg of sugar

•    a litre of vegetable oil

•    250 gms of dates

(Cost: $25. Value: priceless.)

 

The children placed the food in the manger the church had made for their ‘Live Nativity’ Christmas presentation to their community.

This is a little different to how your food aid in Somalia is actually delivered …

 

 

 

Photo: LWF Somalia

 

… but it’s a way of showing that while you may not bring actual gold, frankincense and myrrh 

… your gift of food to hungry families in Somalia is just as precious!

 

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

 

I know people like you help others through ALWS for all kinds of reasons. 

For me, as a Christian, it’s a way to live my faith and bring love to life. 

 

Whatever reason you have for helping …

… at Christmas I feel especially blessed to witness your kindness and generosity, and see your humble selfless love for others.

 

In a world that is so crazy and commercial,

you are the true spirit of Christmas.

That’s why I want to thank you for everything you have done for others through ALWS in 2022:

  * people of Ukraine, under attack from the failed Russian invasion

  * child victims of conflicts forgotten by the world – Ethiopia and Myanmar

  * people with disabilities in the world’s poorest communities

  * girls and women in Nepal suffering simply because of their gender

  * farming families in countries like Burundi hurt by changing climate

 

Right now, I especially thank you for the help you give to mums and dads and kids and grandies and aunties and uncles threatened by famine in the Horn of Africa.

You are extra important here because the world seems to have forgotten these people.

We haven’t though.

 

That’s why, heading into the new year, ALWS is working on a partnership to increase the number of lives you can save and children you can protect.

The partnership aims to bring you together through ALWS with …

… the Church of Sweden and the American Friends Service Committee 

… to access a large matching grant from Bread for the World in Germany 

… delivered by LWF (Lutheran World Federation) in Somalia!

 

That sounds complex …

… but what it will mean for you is simply that any donation you give will be multiplied many times over!

Together, we hope to help 25,000 of the hardest-hit families.

(We’ll need a very big Christmas manger to fit in all that help!)

 

As we work on that partnership …

… can I leave you with a message from another partnership you have in Africa through ALWS, in Burundi.  

Pablo Lo Moro, who oversees the program for LWF, wrote to me this week:

 

I take advantage of this opportunity to thank everyone at ALWS for their unwavering support.

Without ALWS, there would literally be no LWF in Burundi, ranked as the world “hungriest” country by some measures. 

My gratitude to the Australian taxpayers as well. We do strive to make a difference with these hard-earned funds.

Pablo

 

 

This is how precious you are in the lives of the people you help.

You live the spirit of Christmas with every gift you give, every prayer you bring.

 

That’s why I pray you have a blessed Christmas season with those you love …

… and thank you for the love you bring to life for people at risk from hunger and poverty and injustice and discrimination and the danger of being forgotten.

Truly, you are a blessing ALWayS!

 

Jonathan

 

PS: Just a reminder that I (and all the team here at ALWS) welcome invitations to visit your church, school, Probus, Rotary or Social Group, to share stories of what you do in people’s lives through ALWS. Just call 1300 763 407 or reply to this email.

Thank you, and may God bless you with a very happy Christmas!

 

 

 

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HOPE Spot #45: Monday 5 December

Simple things, small help, smiling faces

One of the special joys of working for you at ALWS is hearing from people like you!

Whether that’s a two-line email after a HOPE Spot … a quick chat over dodgy coffee when I’ve presented at a church … or a note like this one from Rosemary about Gifts of Grace:

 

I appreciated the little write-ups about how each donation gets used in the ‘Gifts of Grace’ catalogue. I wanted to add why I chose some.

 

When I turned the page to the ‘Assistive Devices’, the girl in the picture is Irene. My dear mother’s name was Irene, and although she died nearly 20 years ago, I still think of her every day. She was a kind and lovely lady who helped others, so this is in memory for her.

 

Then I saw ‘Irrigation’ and that made me think of my dear Dad who died just a few months ago. He always ate vegetables, so I thought those veggies are in memory for him.

The ‘School Sets’ are because my grandchildren are still in their school.

 

 It saddens me to think of how hard it is for these people. But these simple things seem to help them so much and they seem to appreciate the help so very much. 

 

I hope our small help can help them very much. Their smiling faces help me.

Rosemary

 

 

 

When I read this note, I got a tear in my eye.

In just a few lines, Rosemary has summed up what your help through ALWS is all about.

You might think that ‘simple things’ like giving someone a Mosquito net … or teaching them how to use Drip Irrigation … or providing pencils and paper with a School Set are ‘small help’ …

… yet ‘smiling faces’ like these children at Kakuma Refugee Camp show you just how precious you are:

 

 

HOPE Spot #44: Tuesday 22 November

Your starting role in tomorrow morning’s Socceroos World Cup campaign ⚽

But when Australia takes on France at 6am tomorrow morning (Wednesday 23/11) …

… you’ll be there.

Not just in the stands, or on the bench, but right there on the pitch.

 

Why?

 

Because Awer Mabil, Australia’s winger and goal-scoring sensation, was born and grew up at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya …

… where, through ALWS, you support refugee children (like he was) to go to school

 

HOPE Spot #43: Friday 11 November

How your Long Drop Loo is a lifesaver

WARNING You might need a peg for your nose,  and soap for your hands, today!   Have you got a Gifts of Grace Long Drop Loo for someone special in your life this year?   You should. It’s a fun gift to give (teenage son / Boss / anyone in your household who hogs the loo) … … plus it’s a life-saver for the family you help!   Look up (down?) your Long Drop Loo now.   As you do, let me tell you about my loo. It uses a septic tank.

So, while it’s not like the loo you see here – in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, on the border of Somalia – the mechanics are similarly basic.   (NB: You don’t ask too many questions about mechanics when dodgy goat stew means you have multiple first-hand experiences of the ‘facilities’!)   Back home in Australia … … every three years a man arrives at our place with a tanker truck and a big hose to empty the septic tank. (You know he’s coming, because when he visits other houses, there is a particular fragrance that perfumes the suburban air.)   I like to have a chat with the man and offer him a coffee.  I want to make sure he knows we appreciate what he does for us.   Of course, this takes me right to the $51 Long Drop Loo you can give families in developing communities through ALWS. Like this one, that someone like you supported in Indonesia through ALWS …     The family you help do all the hard work – digging the hole, installing the concrete squatting slab, making a privacy enclosure using whatever materials they have available.     You provide the support – the materials, the construction training, and the health teaching to show families how critical good sanitation is for children’s health.   This partnership is why it costs only $51 to give a Long Drop Loo through Gifts of Grace this Christmas. The clean healthy Long Drop Loo you provide is a big step up from what people had to use before:     Even worse, in many communities, families have nowhere to go to the toilet but the fields. Disease can spread easily.   Girls and women face physical danger from attack, not to mention the impact on privacy and dignity … so they ‘hold on’ all day, until they can ‘go’ in the dark. NB: You can also give a $15 Dignity Kit for girls and women with sanitary napkins and other hygiene essentials through Gifts of Grace.   Hygiene training is also critical to protect young children from deadly diarrhoea …     So, what do you think?  This is very humble work.    Many people don’t want to think about it, or talk about it …  … but it’s typical of what you do for others through ALWS.    You give the help that’s needed most. No matter if it’s hard work. No matter if others don’t want to do it. No matter if there’s no fan-fare for you.    Are you brave enough to give someone a Long Drop Loo this Christmas?   Your teenage son / Boss / loo-hogging family member may be surprised by your gift … … but you can be certain the family you help will consider you a blessing ALWayS. Thank you!   Jonathan   PS: It’s a good idea to order your Gifts of Grace early. Our ALWS volunteers will pack your Grace cards as quickly as they can, but post can be slow. Order now or call Amanda and the team on 1300 763 407. Thank you!   Photos: ALWS

HOPE Spot #42: Wednesday 2 November

Whoops…

Not sure if you noticed the mistake in my Gifts of Grace HOPE Spot #41 last week?   I meant to write ‘Christmas List’ … … but instead wrote ‘Christ List’.   When I thought about it though, maybe that’s not a bad thing.   Here at ALWS, we are inspired by the example of Jesus in reaching out to vulnerable people, in danger of being forgotten by the world.   With Australians expected to spend up to $24 BILLION on Christmas this year (gifts, food, holidays) …

… when I look at your ALWS Gifts of Grace, it’s reassuring for me as a Christian to see it really is a Christmas List:   People Jesus You   children   Jesus said,    “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”                            Matthew 19:14   School Set   $9   girls   [Jesus] took her by the hand and said to her,   “Talitha koum!’   (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!’’).                              Mark 5:41   Dignity Kit   $15   sick   Jesus turned and saw her.    “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”    And the woman was healed at that moment.                              Matthew 9:22   Elder care   $6   women   When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her,    “Will you give me a drink?”     The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)                              John 4:7-9   Irrigation  $6   stigmatised   When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said to them,    “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous,  but sinners.”                                          Mark 2:16,17   Kitchen Garden  $218   disability   Some men came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on … So he said to the man,    “I tell you, get up, take your mat and  go home.”     He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.                                   Mark 2:3,4,11   Assistive Devices  $7   hungry   During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said,    “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have  nothing to eat.”       Mark 8:1-2   Emergency Food   $12   Then the King will say,    ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things  to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me. Matthew 25:40     I’m not sure what motivates you to give Gifts of Grace … … but I thank you if that’s what you choose to do. You’re a blessing ALWayS!   Jonathan   PS: Over the weekend I called up my 86 years-old Dad to make some arrangements about Christmas. He declared in his hearing-aids-out former-school-teacher voice: “I’m not giving anyone Christmas presents this year, they’ve all got enough. They’re getting Gifts of Grace instead.”  Good on you Dad!

HOPE Spot #41: Tuesday 25 October 

Mozzies, Aussies, becozzee …

HOPE Spot #40: Tuesday 18 October 

Walk which way? 

HOPE Spot #39: Friday 14 October 

Lame Bora

Sophie leads the LWF team in Ethiopia taking your ALWS help to families most in danger from hunger.   Weather forecasts point to a fifth consecutive year of drought. Many livestock have already died. Crops are lost. Children are in danger.   If the October rains don’t come, as is being predicted, famine looms.   Sophie fears the people of Ethiopia and Somalia have been forgotten, as the world is confronted by the war in Ukraine.

That’s why, even as she seeks support at a government level, she took time out to write a child’s-eye view of the drought and the hurt it is causing. Her story, told by a child, is called ‘Lame Bora’…    LAME BORA This is my cow. She is called Bora.     I named Bora after a story we have here in Ethiopia called Lame Bora.  ‘Lame’ means ‘My cow’ in our language. The story is about a dying mother who entrusts her two children unto a cow, called ‘Bora’.  Just before the mother died, she sang to the cow:    “Lame Bora! Lame Bora! Lame Bora! I leave my children’s wellbeing to you.”   Bora would give the children milk, and is supposed to never stop giving milk all year round.     My Bora used to give me milk every day.   I used to wander all over with her when she went out grazing, but we have not done so for a long time now as there is no grass.  Everything is dry and dusty brown.    There is no rain, no water in the ponds for my family us and our precious Bora. My Bora is not able to walk, let alone travel long distances to look for food to graze.    There is no milk, and do you know how important milk is for us?  Milk is our staple food! We prefer camel milk of course, but we have already lost all of our camels.   We used to have many cows, camels and goats, but one by one they died over the last six months.   Bora is the last one we have.    I do not want Lame Bora to also die. But she is not looking good, she is very thin and wasting away.   My Mum and Dad say this is the fourth year the rains have not come, and that is why we are suffering so much.    We don’t want to lose Bora the last of our animals. The most important thing we need now is water and food. We have left our home in search of these things, and so have no roof on our heads.    My dad says the Lutheran is trucking water, and so we will go to them to get help.     They have helped us before, in the drought when I was only a small child. They brought water for us to drink, and for our livestock.   They gave us jerry-cans and soap and tablets to make the water safe.   Please pray for good rain to come in October, even though the forecasts say it is poor.     I thank you to pray special for my Bora, so we can have milk and walk in the grass again.     May I add to the prayer request for rain and grass and milk?   Photo: LWF Ethiopia   If prayer is a ministry you feel called to, I bring before you Sophie (centre of photo), and her team in Ethiopia, taking your ALWS action where you are needed most … … and where you will be a blessing ALWayS. Thank you!   Jonathan   PS: You are welcome to donate now to help supply clean water to families in Ethiopia, provide Cash Food Vouchers for 300 households in Somalia, and support children to keep going to school. Questions? Call 1300 763 407. Thank you! 😊

HOPE Spot #38: Monday 10 October 

The bomb shelters you build in schools in Ukraine

I expect you heard Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ask Australia last week to increase our military support as Ukrainians defend their homeland.

Your ALWS action for the people of Ukraine is also increasing.

The generosity and kindness of people like you means last week ALWS was able to commit an extra $100,000 of aid. 

The total of our life-restoring help together is now $300,000

– SIX TIMES our March commitment of $50,000. THANK YOU!

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN SCHOOLS!

A key part of your ALWS action now is building bomb shelters in schools inside Ukraine. 

You can see below the basement of the school at Dorogin. You support the LWF team to have toilets and amenities installed, to protect 100 students and teachers during air raids.

Bhoj Raj Khanal is the Interim Leader of the LWF team you support in Ukraine. He emailed me on Monday, and shared:

“The most urgent needs are repair of houses, 

renovation of schools including bomb shelters, 

protection-related community activities and preparing for winter.”

Bhoj explained that schools in Ukraine cannot open unless they have a bomb shelter. 

Your support through ALWS will help ensure children and young people can safely return to school after months of interrupted school and on-line learning.

Natalia Mykolaivna Greben, who you see above, is Deputy Director of the Dorogin school where a basement is being converted to a bomb shelter. Natalia recalls:

“I saw the Russian troops march through our community, 

and shoot at everything around.”

Natalia was forced to hide in her own basement for many days, then sneak out to try to find food for her and her elderly neighbours. On the last day of the occupation, the retreating soldiers shot at Natalia’s home, which burned down. 

“I lost everything on that last day.”

YOUR WINTER ALWS ACTION INSIDE UKRAINE

Your continuing ALWS action in Ukraine is even more critical now as winter approaches. 

Temperatures in Ukraine over Christmas can drop to minus 10. With so many buildings and so much infrastructure damaged by bombing, these freezing temperatures are a real threat.

Your work is focused in the Chernihiv region, between the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the Russion border. This area was under Russian occupation for three months, and it was only a fortnight ago that it was safe for your LWF team to enter and plan the school renovation work you support.

The plan is to gradually increase support to the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

YOUR ACTION FOR PEOPLE FLEEING FROM UKRAINE

Through ALWS, you continue to provide care to Ukrainians escaping to surrounding countries like Poland, Hungary and Romania.   Bartosz Pachuta is Liaison and Coordination Officer for the LWF team you support in Poland, where refugees from Ukraine like Daria (see photo) are now working with LWF to help fellow Ukrainians as they reach safety.   Daria is a PhD of Economic Sciences, and worked as an Auditor.  At LWF, she works registering refugees who need financial assistance. She says:   “I really like working here.    Feeling that you are doing something meaningful, and that you are helping people, and are being needed by society – this is very important.”   Daria cannot yet return to her home in Kharkiv, because it is still in the war zone … … but says she feels very glad when she sees refugees leaving the centre joyful, after they have received help.

Photos: LWF / Bartoz Pachuta

HOPE Spot #37: Tuesday 4 October 

Your Cash Food Vouchers arrive to help fight famine

There have been very few headlines about the famine looming in the Horn of Africa.

Photo: WFP

Four years of extreme drought have killed millions of livestock – a family’s wealth, and crops have been decimated as you can see in the photo above from Ethiopia.

In Somalia, Reuters news agency has declared:

‘Half a million Somali children face hunger

in the world’s worst famine this century’.

Through ALWS, you are already taking lifesaving action. 

In the photo below, you see the LWF (Lutheran World Federation team you support handing out Cash Food Vouchers in an Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Somalia.

Photo: LWF/A. Mahdi

The Cash Food Vouchers you provide through ALWS are vital to protect children from hunger.

That’s because wheat is a staple food here. 

Not only are locally-grown crops destroyed, but with 40% – 90% of supply coming from Ukraine and Russia, the shipping blockades and delays have hit hard.

YOUR CASH FOOD VOUCHERS

One of the families you help with Cash Food Vouchers is Mr Abdullahi’s. He is a farmer in Somalia, and when drought killed 60 of the family’s cows and two donkeys, he despaired:

‘‘Our priority at the moment is to find food to eat.

In the process, we often find ourselves facing other risks 

– such as having to leave behind the weak amongst our families, 

including persons living with disability, children and women.

It’s so heartbreaking for us to be separated from our loved ones.”

Photo: LWF Somalia

* 25kg rice * 25kg wheat flour  * 25kg sugar  * 3 litres vegetable oil  * 1kg dates    Our aim is to support 300 of the worst-hit families in Somalia for 6 months.    Cash Vouchers are the most effective way to get your ALWS action quickly and directly to those who need help most …   … and have two extra benefits: families maintain their dignity in the community as they choose what they need, and where they buy it because the food is bought locally, it strengthens the local economy

YOUR INCREASED ALWS ACTION   On your behalf, ALWS has extended our Australian help to the families in greatest danger in this region: $150,000 extra aid to Ethiopia $150,000 extra aid to Somalia   This builds on $120,000 worth of aid you have already provided.   The impact of your generosity will grow further through our ALWS partnerships with: other aid agencies through the Emergency Action Alliance the Australian Government churches from around the world through the ACT Alliance LWF (Lutheran World Federation), who are delivering your help.   THANK YOU!   As Mr Abdullahi received his family’s September Cash Food Voucher, he told the LWF team you support that he is praying the skies open up for rain … … and asked to pass on this message of thanks to you:   “My sincere thanks to LWF and donors  for their timely food assistance.    I equally appeal to be supported  to once again own livestock,  as that is our only means of livelihoods.’’   You are welcome to donate now (or call 1300 763 407)to support this ALWS action to help fight famine in the Horn of Africa.   You may prefer to wait for your new Gifts of Grace catalogue (arriving end of October), with a gift to provide extra food for mums in Ethiopia, too weak to produce milk for their babies.   What I want to assure you is that while the world’s news media may overlook the looming famine in Horn of Africa, leaving people like Mr Abdullahi’s family in danger of being forgotten … … through ALWS you are already there, bringing love to life with the simple practical help that will save children’s lives.     To these precious children of God, you are a blessing ALWayS. Thank you! Jonathan   PS: You are welcome to donate now to help provide Cash Food Vouchers for Somalia, clean water for families in Ethiopia, and support for children to keep going to school. If you have any questions, simply call 1300 763 407. Thank you!

HOPE Spot #36: Monday 12 September 

A life of service

I wrote this HOPE Spot the day before the passing of Queen Elizabeth 2.

I wondered whether I should change what I’d written …

… but when I hear the words used to describe Her Majesty – a life of service, commitment to duty, humility, genuine care for people – I realised I didn’t have to change a word.

          *                            *                            *                            *

Last week I attended the Memorial Service for Annette, a wonderful friend of ALWS.

Before her health intervened, Annette worked alongside her husband Paul, and friends Rex and Claire, to raise money to help people through ALWS.

How?

They propagated plants. Tended them until they were beautiful and strong. Then got up super-early on Saturday mornings to sell the plants at Community Markets. Markets that were often wet, windy and wintry.

Between them, Paul, Annette (on right), Rex and Claire (on left) have graced our planet for more than 350 years.

Time for a rest, you might think.

Yet, meet them at one of their market stalls, and straightaway you’d see a smile as big and bright as a daisy in full flower!

At Annette’s memorial, we were all invited to have a candle lit from the Christ Light Candle, and then place it in a bed of sand.

Photos: ALWS

I found this simple act very moving. 

What a blessing you and I can be when we choose to shine the light of kindness into a world that so often feels so gloomy.

Those flickering candles made me think of you …

… as right now I’m putting together your new Gifts of Grace catalogue for this year. 

(You’ll receive it in second half of October.)

Our Gifts of Grace theme is shine*, and my hope is the joy you see in the smiles of the people you help, will also bring smiles to those who receive your Grace Cards,

You’ll see smiles like this …

Photo: ALWS – Daniel Bury

… as Filifo and Niaman’s family in Indonesia propagate and grow a Kitchen Garden, one of this year’s Gifts of Grace.

Just like Paul and Annette, (and Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince Philip), Niaman and Filifo work as a partnership. Mum, Niaman, says:

“I love my garden. 

I grow chillies, beans, mustard leaves, corn, eggplant, tomatoes and water spinach – my favourite! 

My husband helps too. 

Filifo often hangs out the clothes, and does the sweeping around the house. He has this spirit within him and wants to help his wife with the family work. 

If other men laugh at him, he just laughs back. 

I feel so very happy, because when I want to use vegetables in my cooking, it is already there! We can have a variety of vegetables and not the same every day! 

I don’t need to go and buy, especially when we have not much money. 

The children get nutrition from the vegetables. 

I thank the people of Australia for helping my family to make the garden.”

If the world is feeling gloomy to you, or to people you care about …

… I pray the day is brightened by the light that a life of service shines, from people like you and Paul and Annette and Rex and Claire, to people like Filifo and Niaman.

You bloom a bright beautiful blessing ALWayS. Thank you!

Jonathan

* Our theme shine is inspired by the prophet Isaiah in the Bible: 

Give your food to the hungry

 and care for the homeless.

Then your light 

will shine in the dark.

Isaiah 58:10

HOPE Spot #35: Friday 19 August

Slow-roasted pulled pork, Olivia Newton John … and you

Last Saturday night, the blokes of our church put on a dinner for the ladies, and their friends from the community.

Our organiser and Chief Chef Pete came up with a menu that offered:

• creamy pea & ham soup OR oxtail broth (complete with garlic croutons)
• slow-roasted pulled pork OR shredded chicken (both with vegies & gravy)
• chocolate brownie & berry jus OR scorched lemon tart (adorned by cream quenelles)

There were six of us blokes out back in aprons, and three up front in bow-ties.

(That’s me, fourth from right. Our Pastor, Kevin, is on the right in the Longest Lutheran Lunch apron, and Chief Chef Pete is on the left holding the bottle of ‘secret ingredient’!)

Photo: Addi Stark

Now, maybe there’s someone somewhere who might find something wrong with this ‘gender divide’…

… but it was a simple act of service, out of love, to make life better for others.

And judging by the laughter from the ladies’ tables, it was a night enjoyed by all.

There might not have been quite so much laughter in the kitchen when the gravy refused to thicken and then threatened to go lumpy … or when the vegetables seemed certain to run out … and the stream of dirty dishes to be washed seemed endless …

… yet, when the last dish was packed away, there was a quiet sense of satisfaction.

It made me think about you and your service to others through ALWS.

Instead of slow-roasting pulled pork … 

… you stir up vast vats of porridge and beans at Kakuma Refugee Camp to welcome new arrivals fleeing war and drought and hunger.

Instead of taking tickets at the door …

… you welcome people in countries like Nepal marginalised by their communities because of disability or gender or ethnic origin, with your smile telling them they are precious, and loved, and safe.

PHOTO: LWF Nepal

Instead of sinks full of dirty dishes …

… well, there are dishes and cutlery and saucepans and wash basins and detergent you provide to people made homeless by floods and other natural disasters in places like Tonga, Kenya and South Sudan.

Like our team of blokes last Saturday night, you offer your service humbly and graciously, simply to make life better for others … so, thank you!

Which brings me to Olivia Newton-John.

I’m not sure if you are a fan of her music …

… but all of us must admire her life of service to people diagnosed with cancer, even as she struggled herself with breast cancer.

I was privileged to be part of the team that worked with Olivia on raising the funds for her Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne. 

My job was to shape Olivia’s thoughts and words into messages for the public. In one big project, we organised dozens of celebrities to walk the Great Wall of China with Olivia, each celebrity seeking sponsors. (An early version of Walk My Way 😊)

What always struck me about Olivia was the way she looked past the cancer, to the person.

Olivia’s focus was on helping people have the best life they could, despite the challenges cancer had brought.

That’s what I see in you too.

You look past poverty, and disability, and age, and gender … and simply see a person you can support to have a better life. 

That’s a special gift. 

Just as precious as the dollars you donate. 

Your kindness and generosity bring love to life as you show the most vulnerable people in the world they’re not forgotten, that someone cares, that they are worthy of support.

That’s why you are a blessing ALWayS. Thank you!

Jonathan 

PS: The pulled pork was sensational. Not that I sampled it more than 27 times, just to make sure it was OK. 😊 (One of the blokes at church makes his own spicy sweet rub, and it made the pork perfect.)

HOPE Spot #34: Monday 8 August

Your priceless gift

If you lined up all the students in Lutheran schools you helped learn about ALWS last year …

… at a socially-distanced 1.5 metres apart …

… you’d have a line more than 30 kilometres long! 

THAT’S 20,000 STUDENTS!

My son, AJ, was one of them. 

AJ is in Year 12 at Tatachilla Lutheran College (TLC), where he is Vice School Captain. Not only is this AJ’s last Semester at school … 

 … it’s my last Semester supporting one of my children to go to a Lutheran school.  

After 72 semesters! 

I started adding up my $ investment … 

 … but stopped, knowing a good education is a priceless gift. 

(I feel very blessed by the Lutheran education my parents made such sacrifices to give me, at Luther College, back in 1971 to 1976*.) 

INSPIRED TO ACTION

Your work in Lutheran schools through ALWS is a vital part of inspiring more people to join you in taking action to care. 

It’s not just the students, but their families and teachers too.  

We are blessed that Lutheran schools share your passion for caring and service, and work in partnership with ALWS to inspire and equip their students to help others. 

We saw this last month at ACLE – the Australian Conference for Lutheran Education – where instead of providing gift bags to registrants, the organisers donated $10 per registration. 

Each person received two stars, each representing $5, and chose an ALWS Gifts of Grace they wanted to support … 

All these stars now represent teachers  

sharing your ALWS work in their classroom! 

You can see by the board above how teachers in Australia regard school as vital for the children in education-challenged countries like South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia. 

That’s why School Kits will feature in this year’s ALWS Gifts of Grace (open for you in late October), when once again you can let your light shine … 

For now, thank you for all you do to bring education to children who would otherwise miss out because of poverty, disaster or displacement … 

 … including in this school you helped build at Ali Addeh Displaced Persons Camp in Djibouti. Check out the school’s motto below: 

Thank you for shining the light of education – you are a blessing ALWayS! 

Jonathan 

* It was at Luther College in 1976 that I first worked to raise money to help people hurt by hunger and poverty. We closed down the school tuckshop (including the 10 cents long sausage rolls, my once-a-term special treat), and sold cups of boiled rice instead. The aim was to raise money to provide food to the hungry … encourage students to feel a little of what it’s like to have to go without … and demonstrate authentic Christian love through service. That was 47 years ago, and it’s still my mission in life! 😊 

All photos: ALWS 

HOPE Spot #33: Tuesday 2 August

Fire and flood…and the people you rescue

Here in Australia it seems we have had an endless run of natural disasters.

Floods. Bushfires. COVID.

The photo you see below is from a fire a fortnight ago in a community you support in Nepal through ALWS …

The fire destroyed 6 houses, and left 38 people homeless, including 19 children.

Tragically, the fire happened at a time when the community faces severe threat of flooding.

Ms Suhagi Bibi, who you see sitting in the photo, shared:

“It is very hard to live in open spaces during this rainy season, and to keep our children safe.”

This is where you stepped in. Through ALWS, you provided Dignity Kits for people who have lost everything:

· 3 pieces of bathing soap

· 1 piece of laundry soap

· 3 sanitary napkins

· 3 items of underwear

· toothbrush and toothpaste

· comb

· nail-cutter

· torch

· plastic bucket with cover

· 10 metres of rope

You also provided corrugated iron sheeting, so families could build temporary shelters:

Ms Bibi is grateful for your ALWS help, delivered through LWF in Nepal:

“The CGI sheeting we received enabled us to rebuild our house immediately after the fire, and we are very thankful for this support.

The Dignity Kits were also very useful for us during the transition to maintain our health and hygiene.”

The local government in this community is supporting your ALWS work by providing each homeless family with a gas stove and cylinder to do their cooking.

Your ALWS action is also supported by the Australian Government.

This includes providing flood rescue equipment, as you see below:

This Disaster Preparedness Kit includes:

· 125 metres of static rope

· 2 x searchlights

· 2 x Rescue Kits (chest harness, seat harness, auto-lock carabiner)

· 2 x Throw Bags

Your help is especially important in communities like this one because people already living in poverty have no way of recovering from disaster without support.

The fire, and its 38 victims, made no headlines in Australia.

If not for your kindness and commitment through ALWS, these people could have been forgotten.

You made sure they weren’t.

That’s why your generosity is so precious – a blessing ALWayS. Thank you!

Jonathan

HOPE Spot #32: Wednesday 20 July

Why a homemade sausage roll beats a $3.50 Bunnings sausage…

Photo: ALWS

As you can see, there are cakes and biscuits and fruit and plants and jams and preserves and, of course, the most important item of all – homemade sausage rolls!

While everything was very friendly-priced – no $3.50 Bunnings sausage here – the Trading Table raised more than $200*!

It was part of an Ecumenical Ladies Fellowship, put together by the ladies of the Mid North Lutheran Parish. I was invited to share about the work they (and you) do through ALWS in places like Ukraine and Ethiopia.

Afterwards, it struck me that the photo you see above is a lot like the photo you see below:

Photo: LWF/Albin Hibbert

The produce on the table may be a little different …

… but the smile of the lady at Nyagati Railway Station serving refugees newly arrived from Ukraine is the same, don’t you think!

Whether we are in Clare at a Trading Table, or on the border of Ukraine at an Emergency Centre, each of us has something to give. Time. Money. Skills.

What’s amazing is that when we give, we are also given – a joy we find nowhere else.

This week we have mailed out ALWS Annual Donation Statements for FY 21/22. That shows $s. With the Statement, there’s a Report Back on what you have achieved for others through ALWS in the last 6 months. That shows the people.

On behalf of those people, I say thank you for your kindness and generosity …

… and pray you are blessed with the same beaming smile of service you see in the ladies of Clare and on the border of Ukraine

… (the same sauce-smeared smile I get from home-made sausage rolls – and Bunnings sausages, even at $3.50)!

Jonathan

PS: If you’d like an ALWS speaker to visit,  call 1300 763 407 or email alws@alws.org.au. Sneak-peek your Report Back here and keep an eye out for your Annual Donation Statement! Thank you! 😊

* The Trading table proceeds was part of $1307 donated by the 43 people who attend the Fellowship Morning. Thank you Mid North!

HOPE Spot #31: Monday 11 July

What floods cannot drown

Our hearts go out to the people of NSW, facing floods yet again.

For many, this is the fourth time they have seen their homes and livelihoods and hopes washed away. The people of Queensland have suffered too.

As Australia rallies to support our community, I offer you 8 words from my Bible reading this morning:

Love cannot be drowned
by oceans or floods.

Song of Solomon 8:7a

When I think of what people like you do for others through ALWS…

… despite the ‘floods’ of challenges that threaten to overwhelm us

… I see the power of your love making life better for others.

FAMILY FOOD PACKS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

Just last week, thanks to your kindness and compassion, ALWS was able to rush $30,000 worth of your help to the people of Bangladesh as they faced their own floods.

You provide Emergency Family Food Packs to 1,150 of the most vulnerable families.

You focus on families in danger of being forgotten:

• displaced by flood
• no regular income
• female-headed families (including widows)
• people with disabilities
• pregnant or lactating mothers
• elderly people
• socially excluded people

Your help is delivered by ALWS partner RDRS Bangladesh.

Your Emergency Family Food Packs contain:

• 10kg rice
• 1kg lentils
• Kg soyabean oil
• 2kg potatoes
• 2kg salt
• 1kg sugar
• 5 packets Oral Rehydration Salts
• 1kg detergent powder
• 1 pack of sanitary napkins

The cost per pack is $24 … but the impact for a family who has lost everything – priceless!

MAKING A SPLASH

I don’t know if you follow ‘real’ football (AFL – go Pies!) …

… but the June Collingwood vs Melbourne game features the ‘Big Freeze’. Celebrities slip down a slide into a pool of ice water, to raise money to fight Motor Neurone Disease.

The people of St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loxton SA did their own ‘Big Freeze’ to raise money for the village in Cambodia they partner through ALWS.

Instead of a pool of ice water …

… they jumped into the River Murray and floated downstream. As you can see, even the water temperature – 11 degrees – could not ‘dampen’ their enthusiasm!

This is the kind of love that floods cannot drown.

The kind of love that sacrifices for others.

The love you bring to life through ALWS.

Thank you – you are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

HOPE Spot #30: Thursday 30 June

Playing piano to change a child’s world

You are likely much more musical than me.

(I was a teenager in the 70s, and my music tastes have never moved on, much to my children’s disgust!)

So, you might understand what the music chart below means. What might surprise you is how an enterprising music teacher from Victoria is using this Circle of Fifths Chart …

… to help child victims of war in Ethiopia through ALWS.

Rachel Cheesman is teaching her students to play key signatures and scales on the piano.

Rachel had the idea that for every scale the students could play, they collected a special donation for the ALWS Children of War Appeal.

(You can see the students’ names in coloured texta on the chart.)

The students practiced hard, made posters, even sold cookies.

Last Friday, they came together to play around the whole Circle of Fifths. (Whatever that means!)

Rachel says it was a real treat to see the children perform with technical awareness, and show their developing knowledge…

… and even more exciting was seeing the amount they raised to help children their own age, who had been hurt by war – $834!!!

What a brilliant hard-working effort from the students, and their sponsors …

… and their passionate, caring, creative music teacher!

Rachel explains why she came up with the idea:

 “When we hear of tragedy happening around the world, we can feel helpless and far away.

 But we can find comfort and hope through action.

 Music can be a useful tool in many ways!”

Today is EOFY – End of Financial Year – and there will be businesses everywhere urging you to get a bargain for yourself.

What Rachel and her students show us is that the best bargain comes not from what we get … but what we give.

Thank you for all you give to others through ALWS. You are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: ALWS 21/22 Annual Donation Statements will be posted Monday 18 July, to help you claim any tax benefit you are due. It includes a report back on what you have achieved for others through ALWS so far this year. You can also explore the full ALWS Annual Report for 2021 here. Thank you!

HOPE Spot #29: Monday 27 June

5 minutes for 5 moments for your 5:1 Burundi

I first went to Burundi nearly 15 years ago.

To my shame, I didn’t even know where it was. Let alone understand the pain the people suffered as one of the five least-developed countries in the world.

I saw horrors that I won’t share here …

… but I was also blessed with moments that will live with me forever.

Can I take 5 of your minutes to share them with you too?

Moment 1: What are you building?

Each Saturday morning in Burundi, the people stop whatever they are doing and give a morning’s work to a community project. Young and old. Men and women. Rich and poor. City and country.

The people of Burundi are renowned for making mud bricks.

We passed through one little village, just a handful of houses, and I saw a group of people working in a field with a large pile of bricks.

I asked what they were building …

… they replied: “A university.”

Moment 2: Why are you still here?

Through ALWS, you work in the poorest provinces of Burundi – Cankuzo and Ruyigi, on the eastern border with Tanzania.

When I went there, LWF – Lutheran World Federation, known in Burundi as FLM (Federacione Lutheran Mondiale) – was the only aid agency working there.

I asked why, and was told there had been violence in the streets, leftover battles from tribal conflicts. An aid worker’s body had been left on a road.

All the other aid agencies left.

Your Lutheran-supported team stayed.

Moment 3: Why do you sing?

One Sunday morning, I went to church.

The church building was in the middle of a slum. It had no walls apart from some UNHCR plastic. Dirt floor. The chairs a motley collection scavenged from anywhere.

We were the only white faces in a crowd of hundreds packed body to body.

Many people were barefoot.

Some wore clothes so old they barely held together.

Yet when worship started it seemed the roof would lift.

There was a ladies’ choir. A younger ladies choir. A children’s choir. A mixed choir. A drummer hammering out ‘a joyful noise’ on a cracked and clattery old drum. A keyboardist all hip-hop and elbows.

Joy poured out of the people. Too much joy just for song. Dancing. Clapping. Ululating.

A basket was set up at the front of the church. One by one people came out and left an offering. The poorest of the poor, yet each had something to give.

After four hours, the worship ended.

We tumbled outside … where we were gathered up into a large circle, all holding hands, so the lady Pastor could pray for us as went back into our worlds.

My hand was taken by an lady, one of the Batwa tribe (formerly known as pygmy). The Batwa are landless, homeless, shockingly poor people, mistreated and pushed to the edge of the community.

When the prayer ended, the lady spoke to me through the translator.

She said, “I am sorry our church today went so long. Normally we finish in three hours.”

I asked why church went so long.

She smiled and said, “There is so much to thank God for.”

Moment 4: What is this?

Burundi has a trade in carved wooden crucifixes.

I travelled with Pastor Peter who bought a bagful of tiny crucifixes, one for each member of his congregation back home.

He also had one very large crucifix, more than a metre long.

At the raggedy airport, a man in uniform and sunglasses sat at a desk with a hand-scrawled sign saying CUSTOMS.

He took one look at Peter’s crucifix and said in a stern voice: “What is this?”

Pastor Peter, a little worried, but also always on the lookout for a chance to witness to his faith, declared in a proud voice: “This is Jesus.”

Sunglasses man listened. Was quiet. Then slowly shook his head. “No, this is not Jesus.”

Pastor Peter got excited. A crowd had gathered. A sermon beckoned.

Sunglasses man listened for a while, then put up his hand.

Stop.

Peter paused mid-proclamation.

I sighed, fearful we may not get our passports stamped to get home.

Sunglasses man said again: “No, this is not Jesus.”

Then:

“The Jesus I know, He is alive!”

Moment 5: Why don’t you eat?

We stopped for lunch on a back road in the middle of nowhere.

A lady at the hostel had made us an egg and salad sandwich.

I was hungry, and just about to hoe in, when I saw a young boy on the side of the road.

He was dressed in faling-apart clothes. Ribs pressed through his skin. His eyes were faraway.

I gave the boy my sandwich.

But he just held it. Didn’t take a bite, even though he was days hungrier than me.

I asked the translator why the boy didn’t eat.

The boy said: “I will share this with my family.”

Momentous

Five years ago it was feared the Lutheran-supported program in Burundi would have to close down.

The Government was planning new laws that threatened the work of aid agencies.

There was conflict and confusion in the streets.

Donor countries pulled out.

The world looked away.

Here at ALWS, we had to decide what to do. We had long discussions. Times of prayer. We looked at lots of papers. Then we looked at you.

People like you are kind and generous and faithful in your caring.

The people of Burundi are brave and hard-working and holding on to hope.

So, stepping out in faith …

… instead of pulling out of Burundi, we increased our ALWS commitment, trusting in you.

God has blessed that step of faith, working through people like you.

Today …

… the Australian Government is matching 5:1 your ALWS support for Burundi

… other countries have committed to helping

… your LWF program is growing and strong.

Of course, there are still challenges, and no one can say for certain what lies ahead …

… but, this coming year 2,571 of the poorest families in Burundi will receive your ALWS care. Their lives will be better because of people like you.

That’s momentous.

These are the moments that matter. Thank you.

Jonathan

PS: You are still welcome to use the new 5:1 Government Grant to help the people of Burundi. Your donation is tax-deductible. If you donate by 5pm this Thursday 30 June, you can claim your tax benefit in this financial year. If you have any questions about your ALWS action, simply call: 1300 763 407. Thank you!

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care

Your donation supports the ALWS program in Burundi, aiming to support 2,571 of the most vulnerable families. Your donation is matched 5:1 with an Australian Government Grant, as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding
from the Australian Government to reach more people.
ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5
received from the Australian government.
Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in the Burundi project, your donation will be used in other ALWS-supported development projects.

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Your donation is used carefully

In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 years average is 15.4%.

A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. 

Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #28: Tuesday 21 June

Your 5:1 basketful of goodness in Burundi

Do you have 3 minutes to meet 3 farmers? 

Or watch on vimeo here

Jacqueline, Perina and Gisela will show you how your 5:1 donation for farm families facing a hunger crisis in Burundi can be life-transforming.

EAT 3 TIMES A DAY

When Jacqueline learned how to mix fertiliser and animal manure to improve her harvest yield, her life changed:

“Now I harvest a lot from small land.

I eat 3 times a day, whereas before I used to eat once a day.”

Meet Jacqueline here

IT MAKES ME VALUABLE

Through ALWS, and the 5:1 Grant from the Australian Government, you support people to learn new income-generating activities.

Perina took up basket-weaving, alongside her farming.

She also joined a Village Savings and Loan Group.

Perina worked hard, and saved hard, and was able to buy a pig and a bicycle. She says:

“I appreciate this project because it makes me valuable.”

JOY IN LIFE

Gisela sums up the help you give people like her through ALWS very simply:

“Before this project, I had a joyless life.

I was always wondering how I will survive.

LWF taught me how to read and write.

As you can see, I have written on my basket: ‘God is good.’ ”

Take 3 minutes now to meet these brave, hard-working farm ladies face to face, and see the hope you give. Watch video

Now multiply out their success to the 2,571 families ALWS aims to support using the new 5:1 Government Grant in Burundi over the next 12 months!

If you have already used the 5:1 grant – thank you!

If not, donate 5:1 by 30 June to claim your tax benefit in this financial year.

From ‘a joyless life’ …

… through a project that ‘makes me valuable’

… to where ‘I eat 3 times a day’

… yes indeed, as Gisela says, ‘God is good’.

Thank you for the basketful of goodness you bring to the families of people like Jacqueline, Perina and Gisela in Burundi.

Your kindness and compassion show them they are not forgotten.

That is why you are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: The new 5:1 Government Grant is still available for you to support families in Burundi, and help children survive the looming hunger crisis. Donate 5:1 here. Your impact is increased FIVE TIMES, and your donation is tax-deductible. Donate by 5pm Thursday 30 June to claim your tax benefit in this financial year. Watch inspiring 3 minute video here. Thank you!

Images & Video: LWF Burundi

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care

Your donation supports the ALWS program in Burundi, aiming to support 2,571 of the most vulnerable families. Your donation is matched 5:1 with an Australian Government Grant, as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding
from the Australian Government to reach more people.
ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5
received from the Australian government.
Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in the Burundi project, your donation will be used in other ALWS-supported development projects.

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Your donation is used carefully

In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 years average is 15.4%.

A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. 

Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #27: Friday 10 June

Your kindness to children, the forgotten victims of war

Last Sunday I jumped in the car and drove 730 kilometres to see my 12 weeks old granddaughter Maya.

36 hours later I drove 730 kilometres home again.

Maya melts my heart with every chuckle and cuddle, and a single moment with her is worth every hour of that drive.

I feel so blessed to be both a Dad and a Grandpa.

And PoPo for two other granddaughters.

That’s why my heart breaks and my stomach knots and my fists clench when I see innocent children hurt by war.

Ukraine is in the headlines… and the wars the world has forgotten – Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Myanmar.

What lifts my spirits is the kindness and compassion of people like you, reaching out in humble generosity to help the people of Ukraine and the child victims of other wars.

You do so much life-saving work, I can’t fit it all in one post 😊.

So, just click on the links below to see more of what you are doing through ALWS in some of the toughest places on earth.

I especially urge you to click on the Ethiopia link,
to read the story from Sophie Gebrayes on the front line.

I will talk to you again at the bottom of this HOPE Spot …

ETHIOPIA

War broke out in Ethiopia on 4 November 2020, with conflict between the Tigray region and the Ethiopian Government. Up to 495,000 people were internally displaced in Tigray. The ongoing impact of COVID, drought and locust plagues threaten a hunger crisis for children, with children showing visible signs of wasting. Sophie Gebrayes, leading the LWF team you support, reports: “The thing that strikes you are the number of mothers with babies and toddlers in back-carriers.”

GOOD NEWS: 46,789 people reached with support for food security and nutrition, Multi-Purpose Cash Grants, water and sanitation and hygiene.   READ MORE

MYANMAR

A new study reports the number of children out of school has DOUBLED in the last two years. Since the military coup, 260 schools have suffered attacks, and children are scared to return. Through ALWS, you support Temporary Learning Spaces in 8 Displaced Persons Camps. 7 year old Zaw Ri Na Ha Tu is a student you support, as is her volunteer teacher you see here. Zaw says: “My favourite subjects are English and Maths. I am in Grade 2. I want to be a Teacher so I can help students.” 

GOOD NEWS: In Displaced Persons Camps, you support 9,737 children from Kindergarten to Grade 4 to go to school.   READ MORE

AFGHANISTAN

Fouzia is 14. She says life in Afghanistan was peaceful until her mum died two years ago. Fouzia went to live with her aunt and uncle. When the humanitarian crisis happened, they fled to Pakistan. Here the family received a Multipurpose Grant from the partner delivering your ALWS support in Afghanistan. Fouzia says: “My aunt bought food items so that we have sufficient meals every day as we barely had enough food for all of us in the family. She also bought my medicines for my migraines.”

GOOD NEWS: 525 families reached with Multi-Purpose Cash Grants   READ MORE

UKRAINE

As the war in Ukraine continues, women and children flee to safety in neighbouring countries like Poland. Through ALWS, and our partner LWF, you support Lutheran churches to welcome and care for these refugees. The aim is to provide care to 60,000 people with cash grants to buy essentials. The LWF centres you support in Poland also provide counselling for children experiencing post-traumatic stress, and referral services for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

GOOD NEWS: Anglican Overseas Aid and Emergency Action Alliance have added more than $80,000 to your ALWS support for people of Ukraine.  READ MORE

BURUNDI

The war in Ukraine has disrupted grain exports to Africa. These children in Burundi lost their mother to a heart attack a year ago. Now, Dad Leonidas does his best to support his four children. But no matter how hard he works, he cannot afford for the children to go to school. Often there is not even enough food. Through ALWS, you train Leonidas in modern farming methods. He is looking forward to teaching his new skills to others, and having his children return to school.

GOOD NEWS: 5:1 Australian Government Grant increases your impact to help 2,571 families increase local food production.   READ MORE    DONATE 5:1       

AUSTRALIA

Thank you for all you do through ALWS to help child victims of war.

My prayer is your heart will be filled with joy at the hope your hands-on help brings to children and families in these dangerous places, especially to those who feel forgotten..

Truly, you are living out the verse from the Bible that inspires us here at ALWS:

Don’t forget those who are suffering,
but imagine you are there with them.
Hebrews 13:3b (CEV)

Even though you are far more than 730 kilometres away, you are there with them.

Thank you for being a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: The new 5:1 Government Grant is still available for you to support families in Burundi, and help children survive the looming hunger crisis. Donate 5:1 here. Your impact is increased FIVE TIMES, and your donation is tax-deductible. Donate by 5pm Thursday 30 June to claim your tax benefit in this financial year. Thank you!

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care

Your donation supports the ALWS program in Burundi, aiming to support 2,571 of the most vulnerable families. Your donation is matched 5:1 with an Australian Government Grant, as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding
from the Australian Government to reach more people.
ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5
received from the Australian government.
Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in the Burundi project, your donation will be used in other ALWS-supported development projects.

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Your donation is used carefully

In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 years average is 15.4%.

A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. 

Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #26: Monday 6 June

13 x 5 x 705 =

I’m not sure if you recall …

… but each 2022 ALWS Supporter Survey sent back by 13 May attracted a $5 donation from a Lutheran couple in Adelaide.

We were overwhelmed with 705 surveys by that date – and received a $3,525 donation!

(If you didn’t get to complete your Survey, no worries. You can still do it here. It will take you around 5 minutes. I’m really keen to hear your thoughts and ideas. If you can complete by this Friday 10 June, your survey will qualify for the $5 donation too!)

BLESSED TO BLESS

As I read through the 2022 ALWS Supporter Surveys, over and over people said they didn’t want any praise or fuss made about them.

They just wanted to get on with quietly doing what they can, when they can, as God had blessed them to bless. Like Shirley, who wrote:

“Due to my life and health,
my finances are very limited.

Therefore, I can only give when possible.

I would love to do more if I could.”

What I say to Shirley, and to you, is that whatever you do is a blessing.

JUST DO IT

Another thought struck me from the Supporter Surveys …

… the humble way you help others through ALWS is exactly how Jesus explained we should bring love to life:

“When you do something for someone else,
don’t call attention to yourself…

When you help someone out,
don’t think about how it looks.

Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively.”

from Matthew 6: 2 – 4 (The Message)

That’s you! Thank you!

(And sorry Nike, Jesus beat you to ‘Just do it’! 😊)

5:1 GRANT UPDATE

Just a reminder that the new 5:1 Government Grant is open now to help families in Burundi, in danger from poverty …

… and facing the new threat of hunger caused by the war in Ukraine disrupting grain and fertiliser suppliers, pushing up prices beyond what families can afford.

Your 5:1 donation will focus on increasing local food production for these families in danger of being forgotten. You help provide:

• goats, chickens and cows for food, extra income and manure for fertiliser
• training in modern farming methods
• kitchen gardens
• farm tools: hoes, wheelbarrows and shovels

Our aim is to support 2,571 families, at an average investment of $29 per person. If you feel called to use the 5:1 Grant, simply donate here.

Thank you for always thinking of others.

I don’t need a survey to tell me your kindness and generosity – it’s proven. That’s why you are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: If you didn’t get to complete your 2022 ALWS Supporter Survey, it’s easy and quick to do it here. Please do so by this Friday 10 June to attract the $5 donation for each survey completed. Thank you!

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care

Your donation supports the ALWS program in Burundi, aiming to support 2,571 of the most vulnerable families. Your donation is matched 5:1 with an Australian Government Grant, as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding
from the Australian Government to reach more people.
ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5
received from the Australian government.
Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in the Burundi project, your donation will be used in other ALWS-supported development projects.

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Your donation is used carefully

In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 years average is 15.4%.

A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. 

Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #25: Wednesday 1 June

New 5:1 Matching Grant you can use!

I’ve got good news for you!

In my HOPE Spot last week, I flagged a new 5:1 Grant from the Australian Government for ALWS.

What’s exciting is the Government has approved a 12.2% increase in ANCP* 5:1 grants for ALWS!

This is directly due to your hard work and generosity, as I’ll explain at the bottom of this email.

Speaking of people who work hard, let me introduce you to Sylvie, a young mum in Burundi. Sylvie’s is one of 2,571 families you can using the new 5:1 Grant.  Donate 5:1 now!

YOUR 5:1 GOOD NEWS FOR SYLVIE!

Sylvie is a young woman of faith and courage.

When you see her smile, it’s hard to believe she lives extreme poverty.

Her country, Burundi, is one of the five least-developed countries in the world …

… and her life is made even more challenging by the fact she has a severe disability – her foot is twisted almost backwards.

No matter how hard Sylvie works, the family is so poor the children had to stop going to school. Many days there is little to eat.

That’s where you can step in with the new 5:1 Government Grant.

Donate 5:1 NOW to help a family like Sylvie’s.

WAR IN UKRAINE THREATENS HUNGER CRISIS

A new danger facing families like Sylvie’s is a hunger crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. If you’ve been following the news reports, you’ll know:

• Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s largest exporters of grain
• many countries in Africa rely on this grain to feed their people
• the war has disrupted grain harvest and pushed up prices
• shipping routes have been blockaded
• Russia and Ukraine also manufacture and supply fertiliser
• supplies are cut, and prices increased
• families who can’t afford fertiliser see their crop yield go down

This is the hidden tragedy faced by countries like Burundi.

 The danger is vulnerable families like Sylvie’s will be forgotten by the world.

YOUR 5:1 ACTION HELPS FAMILIES GROW FOOD

Thanks to people like you, ALWS has been able to increase our commitment to help the people of Ukraine from $50,000 to more than $200,000 – thank you!

Now, as the war in Ukraine threatens a hunger crisis in Africa, ALWS is responding by increasing your support for local food production.

Your 5:1 life-protecting action in Burundi can:

• set up agricultural groups to teach modern farming methods
• supply livestock to diversify family income sources …

  … and provide extra food:

• • cows for milk
  • chickens for eggs
  • goats for meat
• show how animal manure can produce no-cost fertiliser to increase yield
• grow kitchen gardens for vegetables
• introduce improved seed varieties like beans and maize + training in seed multiplication and harvest conservation
• equip farmers with vital tools like wheelbarrows, hoes and shovels

As you can see, this Food Production Plan relies on the hard work of the people you support with your 5:1 donation. Your help is a hand-up, not a hand-out.

(Look at the joy the chickens you supply bring Sylvie’s son! More photos here.)

TOGETHER

Because the new 5:1 Government Grant is so vital to protect families from hunger, I have snail-mailed ALWS supporters with all the details. Keep an eye out for this pack:

Our aim is to support 2,571 families like Sylvie’s.

This is a step of faith, but a step taken with confidence, knowing:

• the proven kindness and generosity of people like you
• the family you help will work hard to help themselves
• the matching grant increases your impact FIVE TIMES

Donate 5:1 NOW!

The result of our work together is that someone like Sylvie can dare to dream:

“I dream of being able to build a decent home so my children and I can live in dignity.

I want us to be self-sufficient in nutrition.

 If these two needs can be met, I can find the strength to work harder so my children can stay in school.”

You are welcome to use the 5:1 Grant to support other families in Burundi to overcome poverty and protect themselves from the hunger crisis that threatens.

On a practical level, your 5:1 donation is tax-deductible. If you donate by Thursday 30 June, you can claim any tax benefit this financial year.

Thank you for everything you already do to bring hope to vulnerable people, in danger of being forgotten.

As I said to you in last week’s HOPE Spot, you ‘make ordinary people feel special’. I think you can see in Sylvie’s and her son’s smiles the joy being made to ‘feel special’ brings.

That’s why you are a blessing ALWayS! Thank you!

Jonathan

Photos: ALWS

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care

Your donation supports the ALWS program in Burundi, aiming to support 2,571 of the most vulnerable families. Your donation is matched 5:1 with an Australian Government Grant, as follows:

Every donation you make to this project will be combined with funding
from the Australian Government to reach more people.
ALWS has committed to contribute $1 for every $5
received from the Australian government.
Your donation will allow us to extend our programs.

Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in the Burundi project, your donation will be used in other ALWS-supported development projects.

Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Your donation is used carefully

In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 years average is 15.4%.

A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. 

Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is the Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #24: Friday 27 May

When what is ordinary is special

Two weeks ago I was driving through central Victoria, and something happened that made me think of you.

My wife Julie and I were doing a road trip.

We like to get off the main highways and explore old towns – Julie for cheap and crazy clothes in Op Shops, me for sausage rolls in bakeries.

Anyway, we came to a town from gold rush days that looked like life had passed it by. A bit battered and grey and worn-out. (No, that’s not what made me think of you!!! 😊)

I spotted both a bakery and what looked like an Op Shop.

However, the ‘Op Shop’ was something completely different.

Inside were racks of women’s clothes. But not just any old clothes – beautifully-tailored one-off high-end fashion labels. Pre-loved, but still in perfect condition.

Normally these clothes would cost hundreds of dollars, but here they were $10 to $20!

It took me about 20 seconds to find 20 things for Julie to try on, meaning a two hour wait for me.

And this is where I get to you. 

We asked the lady running the store why she had all these amazing clothes at such amazing prices in such an out-of-the-way place.

She said:

“I want to make ordinary people feel special.”

That’s exactly what you do through ALWS. 

The ‘dress’ you provide to the ‘ordinary people’ you help may be a goat in Burundi, a school kit in Myanmar, a Farmer Field School in South Sudan …

… but whatever practical aid you give, you also make the person you help ‘feel special’.

Your kindness and generosity tell them that someone cares about them. That they haven’t been forgotten. That they are precious.

That’s why you see smiles like this:

This is Sylvie and her family.

Sylvie has a disability (a twisted foot) and her family live in one of the poorest villages in Burundi, one of the 5 least-developed countries in the world.

Through ALWS, you support Sylvie to receive training in modern farming methods, plus help to buy chickens and feed to start a little business.

Sylvie told us your encouragement gives her the strength to work harder, so she can feed her children and send them to school.

While the family’s clothes are very different to those in the dress shop we found, I think you can see from the smiles how special you make Sylvie’s whole family feel.

As Julie tried on dress number 17, I realised something else too.

What you do for families like Sylvie’s is exactly what Jesus did as He reached out to people living in poverty and feeling forgotten.

For me as a Christian, I see Jesus helping people with their physical needs …

… and by bringing His love to their life, showing them they are special. They go away smiling and filled with new hope for life!

Which brings me to one last thought.

As we left the dress shop, we asked the lady why she did what she did. She simply smiled and said:

“It makes me happy.”

I pray that what you do through ALWS to ‘make ordinary people feel special’ makes you happy too!

Jonathan

PS: Next week I’ll tell you about a new 5:1 Government Grant that can increase your ALWS help to families in Burundi FIVE TIMES, to make many more smiles like Sylvie’s family’s. You can take a sneak peek here.

PPS: If you want to know the town to find that dress shop, just reply to this email! (NB: The sausage rolls at the bakery are good too!) 😊

HOPE Spot #23: Wednesday 11 May

You and Ukraine – a step of faith becomes a leap!

The war in Ukraine continues to shock the world.

Each day brings more stories that break your heart.

At the same time, stories of courage and kindness inspire us.

You’ll see both those sides of the war in the story of the children in the photo, which I will share with you in a moment.

First, let me talk about you.

Within days of the tanks rolling in to Ukraine, churches in countries on the border set up to welcome refugees, and provide food, shelter and comfort.

You were, and are, part of that effort through our ALWS partner LWF supporting Lutheran churches in Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia …

… and through the ACT Alliance of churches of many denominations.

ALWS stepped out in faith, trusting in the generosity of people like you, and committed $50,000 to the Ukraine response.

Your generosity has been overwhelming, and enabled ALWS to DOUBLE our original commitment!

PLUS …

… that total amount has DOUBLED AGAIN, thanks to funds received by ALWS through the Emergency Action Alliance, supported by the Australian Government and a concert by Ed Sheeran broadcast on the ABC.

PLUS …

… the ALWS family has matched all of that with the same generosity for victims of wars the world has forgotten, in places like Afghanistan and Myanmar!

When you meet Irina, and hear her story, you can see straightaway how important your help is:

“During the first days of the war we tried to tell the children it was thunder.

But when the active bombing started, and the missiles fell near the house, the children started screaming, and didn’t want to leave the shelter.”

The ‘shelter’ Irina describes is not what you think. Her house did not have a basement, so she built a ‘shelter’ out of sofas and furniture.

“They ate there. They went to the toilet there. They were really very, very scared. That is why I realised that there was no time to wait, and it was time to evacuate somewhere.”

Irina’s parents didn’t want to leave, even when a bomb exploded in their neighbourhood. So, Irina and the children started walking on their own. That’s when the shelling started even closer.

“We saw a convoy of cars with white flags passing. One car had three spare places, so we decided to go with them. We did not know where it was going. There was no time to decide.”

That car run out of fuel in a village only a few kilometres away. Irina and the children stayed there for five days until the Russian army came, and they had to flee again. They found a train, but there were 12 people for every seat. Irina’s children (aged 5 and 8) slept on the floor.

Finally, the little family reached safety in a community shelter, which is where the kind of help you support through ALWS is being provided by front-line teams and volunteers from the ACT Alliance of churches.

You can see below the room that 12 people share:

It’s crowded, but it’s safe. Irina says:

“We receive meals three times a day. It’s not the same food as at home. When we ask for something, people try to give us what we need. I understand that it is difficult to feed one hundred people.”

Irina is a trained nurse, and longs to be able to go home to join her husband, her sister and her parents:

“If, in five minutes, someone calls me and tells me the Ukrainian flag is flying in the cities, I will be at the train station in half an hour.”

But for now, her priority is to keep the children safe, as they huddle together in the tiny space that is ‘home’ for now …

… at least here it is safe for the children to play outside

… and that’s thanks to the kindness and generosity of people like who reach out to help others in their time of need.

Thank you – you are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: The war in Europe is now starting to impact the Horn of Africa. Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of grain to Africa, and the disruption to food supplies threatens a hunger crisis in countries where you work through ALWS – Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan. Our plan is to now increase support for local food production. In Burundi this will include training for farmers, livestock like goats and chickens, Harvest Stores. I will keep you updated over the next few weeks about what you can do to help, and a 5:1 Australian Government Grant that will increase your impact. Thank you again!

Photos: ACT Alliance / HIA: Fekete Dániel
Interview: Hungarian Interchurch Aid

HOPE Spot #22: Wednesday 4 May

Fighting fraud so your donations ‘get there’

A colleague at ALWS ‘dared’ me to write this HOPE Spot for you.

She thought the subject ‘Fighting Fraud’ might be too boring to interest you.

I took on the challenge …

… because what I hear when I visit churches, and read emails from supporters, is that people like you want to know your donations to ALWS ‘get there’. (As do I!)

Through ALWS, you work in some very challenging places, where government systems are still developing, and the way things work can be different to what we expect in Australia.

That’s why training staff to fight fraud is critical.

So, here goes.

NB: If you’re not interested in making sure your money ‘gets there’, you can stop reading now 😊

Pennies in PNG

As you know, ALWS is accredited by the Australian Government. This requires ALWS to meet the highest standards of audit and accountability.

In 2019, the Australian Government granted ALWS $900,895 to support the aid work of the Lutheran Church in PNG.

It was found an amount of $1,500 could not be properly accounted for. This is 0.2% – 1/500^th.

A full investigation was undertaken, and it was finally found that the amount unaccounted for was $22. That is: 0.002%.

You might wonder about the value of that investigation into ‘pennies’ …

… but it unlocked new ways to improve practices that take into account local situations

… plus showed partners again how seriously ALWS takes the care of funds entrusted to us.

Still with me? Good on you 😊

Let me take you now to Nepal …

52+ in Nepal

During April, you supported a 3-day training workshop in Nepal with the catchy title:

Training on Fighting Fraud in NGOs, Financial Management and Procurement Management.

The training was run by our ALWS partner LWF Nepal, supported by the Australian Government and ALWS … and attracted 52 participants, with 75% from the local partners delivering your ALWS aid at grassroots level.

I won’t go through the full curriculum with you, but the aims were:

1. enhance knowledge and capacity to fight fraud
2. have sound financial management systems
3. ensure efficient procurement

Ms Asha Wod, a Finance Officer from a front-line partner delivering your aid, declared:

“We learned many useful things about financial documentation and procurement management … which we can use on a day-to-day basis in our work.

I would like to thank LWF Nepal and the trainers for making us clear on these subjects.

I assure you that what we have learned from this training we will share with our friends and colleagues in our respective organisations.”

Pastor Joseph Soren is Chairperson of the Lutheran Church Welfare Society, that also helps deliver your ALWS aid in Nepal. Pastor Joseph reflected:

“We have been asking for this training for a long time to help us develop proper policies and enhance our capacity … for financial and procurement management.

I do believe we must create the opportunity, and not just run after it.

… and we are hopeful and committed to improve our systems and documents with the learnings from this training.”

This is all part of your action through ALWS.

I trust these two examples show you how committed ALWS is to make sure your donations ‘get there’ and are used efficiently and effectively to transform lives.

If you have any questions, please ask!

Just email alws@alws.org.au or call 1300 763 407

Thank you for all you do to help people through ALWS …

… including the remote villages of PNG and far-off communities in Nepal, where too often people who are the most vulnerable can be forgotten by the world.

You are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

PS: This is a little cheeky, but seeing you made it this far in today’s HOPE Spot, can you send me a message – even just a 😊 – so I can show my colleague who challenged me to write about this subject for you! Thank you!

HOPE Spot #21: Friday 29 April

What COVID taught me…

A couple weeks back, our family came down with COVID.

For the boys, it was a day of symptoms and then 6 days of movies in bed. My wife, Julie, was knocked around a fair bit. For me, mostly weariness.

I don’t know if you’ve had COVID yet – and if you haven’t, I pray you don’t …

… but those days isolated from the world taught me a lesson I didn’t expect.

My job, working for you here at ALWS is to:

Help more people help more people.

Suddenly, COVID put me on the receiving end of help.

Casseroles appeared on the doorstep.

The weekend newspaper.

Medical supplies – Cold & Flu tablets, paracetamol, Cure-All chocolate.

Emails of encouragement.

And, of course, our church’s 50 persons prayer chain swung into action.

It was very humbling.

The practical help was helpful when we were helpless (especially the chocolate 😊).

Even more precious though was knowing that people cared about us.

Enough that they went out of their way to look after us. Give up their time and their money to make our lives a little bit better when we were doing it tough.

I didn’t realise how good it would feel to know that we meant that much to people.

What I felt is exactly what the people you help
through ALWS feel when they receive your care.

Yes, the practical ALWS help you give is important – the schoolbooks, the goat, the welcome at the refugee camp, the training in improved farming methods …

… but even more precious is the fact the person you help knows someone cares about them.

Your kindness tells them they matter.

That they are valued.

As you know, here at ALWS we seek to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and reach out to people who are the most vulnerable, and in danger of being forgotten by the world.

For these people, your kindness matters even more.

For some, it’s the first time in their life that anyone has said they are important.

That’s why they do whatever they can to thank you. If you were in their village, they’d invite you to a meal. Prepare a speech. Introduce you to the whole family. Sing a song. Gather you up in dance.

While distance and circumstance mean you can’t have that experience physically …

… I hope the stories I share with you through these HOPE Spots give you a taste of what your kindness means to each person you help.

Your kindness is precious, a gift beyond words.

That’s what COVID taught me.

Jonathan

HOPE Spot #20: Wednesday 20 April

509,873

That’s how many lives were touched by people like you through ALWS last year! Absolutely amazing. Thank you!

Those 509,873 people live in countries from Afghanistan to South Sudan, and received support from agricultural training to COVID supplies to education, and much more …

… which is why this week I have mailed you our 2022 ALWS Supporter Survey.

The Supporter Survey lets you tell us the areas of your ALWS work that most interest you, so we can update you more directly on all you achieve for others.

As you complete your survey, consider that each of those 509,873 people  …

… is an individual, like Mr Yam Narayan Adhikari from Chitwan in Nepal.

If you look closely, you’ll see
Mr Yam has only one hand.

This has not stopped him becoming Chair of his community’s Disaster Management Committee, which you supported to receive training through our ALWS partner LWF Nepal.  Mr Yam says:

“The training was very beneficial to me as physically I can properly work only with one hand, and people like me face difficulties and are more vulnerable during the time of flood.”

One of the key life-saving measures the community learned in the training was manufacturing homemade ‘flood protective swimming gear’.

They recycle local products like bottles and water pots to create flotation devices, as you see in the photo below …

The aim is to use local knowledge, local resources and local energy to help people protect themselves and others in this disaster-prone region. Mr Yam reports:

“This training has given me the abilities and self-confidence to make and use the swimming gear to try to protect myself, and support others too.”

“In the coming days, if the flood comes or not, we will practice
 making this swimming gear, and store it ready.”

You also trained people to:

• make ropes from local resources
• build stretchers
• use effective ways to control fires
• recycle plastic products to make life-jackets

The 3 days training reached 50 people, delivered in partnership with the Nepal Army and local Chitwan District leadership, supported by the Australian Government.

Together, the 50 people you see here are now equipped to protect themselves and others during time of disaster …

Multiply the people in this photo 10,000 TIMES …

 … and you have the 509,873 LIVES touched
by people like you through ALWS in 2021!

 Jonathan

Thank you for bringing hope into so many lives – you truly are a blessing ALWayS.

Photos: LWF Nepal

HOPE Spot #19: Wednesday 14 April

Your daily bread …

My first job as a 17 year old was pastry-chef.

The Wednesday night before Easter was our busiest.

We’d work all night hand-rolling the best Hot Cross Buns in all of Melbourne. People would start queuing from 5.30.

I thought of that when I saw this photo from South Sudan …

… the only difference is people aren’t queuing.

Why?

The price of flour in Africa has increased dramatically, and people can’t afford to buy the goods Ring Majok (above) is baking.

And why have prices gone up?

The war in Ukraine.

18 countries in Africa import more than half their grain from Ukraine and Russia. So, as the war destroys crops, pushes up prices, cuts off reliable supply …

… families in poor communities in Africa struggle to afford their daily bread.

This bakery’s owner says:

“People just walk past my bakery.
Before, there was a queue here.

Now, children go to school
on an empty stomach.”

Through ALWS, you help protect families from hunger in places like South Sudan and Burundi by supporting farmers with:

• new drought-resistant seed varieties
• training in mulching, weeding and compost
• animal manure fertiliser*
• water supply and irrigation
• home vegetable gardens
• pineapple and banana plantations in Burundi
• marketing skills to increase profit
• co-operatives to share the benefits

* Ukraine and Russia also produce much of the world’s fertiliser

‘What’s the price of a loaf of bread?’…

… here in Australia, it’s a journalist’s ‘gotcha’ question during the election campaign

… but in the places where you help people through ALWS, it’s a real question for families about what they can feed their children.

Through ALWS, as you support Lutheran churches in Poland, Hungary and Romania to provide basics like bread for people fleeing the war in Ukraine …

… you also support families in places like Burundi and South Sudan, making sure they are not forgotten as they battle to feed their children.

Thank you for all you do through ALWS to put bread on the tables of people who, without you, would be hungry. You are a blessing ALWayS.

Jonathan

PS: Tonight, those of us who are Christians celebrate Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper through the breaking of bread for his friends. I’ll miss our church’s worship (I’m at home with COVID), but I pray Easter is a special blessing for you.

All photos: Anette Torjusen, Norwegian Church Aid

HOPE Spot #18: Friday 8 April

What care is all about

Can I take you to the border of Ukraine …

… to give you a first-hand insight into your ALWS action for refugees from Ukraine.

Your ALWS action is part of the LWF plan to serve 170,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Chey Mattner (an Aussie from the Barossa Valley) is Head of Operations for LWF (Lutheran World Federation).

On Wednesday, via Zoom, Chey shared his experiences supporting Lutheran churches in Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia as they care for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Nearly 100 people attended the 30 minutes Zoom briefing …

… but if you missed it, you can watch it here

Chey shares eyewitness stories and expert insights that will show you how important and effective your action through ALWS is for refugees who have lost everything.

One of those refugees is Maria …

… who you can meet here in this two minute video from an Emergency Centre in Hungary.

Maria is one of the thousands of refugees receiving care from people like you through the ACT Alliance of churches worldwide, of which ALWS is a member. Maria shares:

“We come here to Hungary. We go to the volunteers and now we know what care is about…

… we have very thanks for the help because when you must go out from your home where you have friends and work and school, you have all these things, and then you are homeless, with just a bag …

 To be safe is the one thing. You go step by step.

 That’s why the help of other people is very, very important.”

‘Now we know what care is about.’

That’s your impact.

That’s what you do through ALWS – not just for the people fleeing Ukraine, like Maria …

… but also for victims of other wars in places like Ethiopia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, far from media attention and in danger of being forgotten.

Your kindness and care bring these people the life-saving help they need, and encourages them they are not alone. That’s why you are a blessing ALWayS. Thank you!

Jonathan

Maria video
(2 minutes)

Chey briefing
(30 minutes)

PS: you are also welcome to join Ed Sheeran leading the ‘Concert for Ukraine’ on ABC iView. Proceeds go to the Emergency Action Alliance, of which ALWS is a founding member. If you’d like to donate to help victims of war from Ukraine to Ethiopia and Myanmar, simply donate here. Thank you!

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care: Your donation helps survivors of war in Ukraine and Ethiopia, and in other humanitarian emergencies where you are needed most urgently. Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in these projects, those funds will be used in ALWS-supported development projects. Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Being careful with your care: In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 year average is 15.4%. A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. [ACFID logo]

Your privacy is important to us: ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is The Overseas Aid & Resettlement Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #17: Tuesday 5 April

‘Live’ from Ukraine frontline this Wednesday

As each day brings more disturbing news from Ukraine …

… this Wednesday, at 6pm AEST, you have the chance to hear encouraging news.

You are invited to a 30 minutes Zoom session with Aussie,

Chey Mattner, back from the front line in Poland.

Chey is a key member of the LWF operation supporting Lutheran churches in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia to welcome and care for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Through ALWS, you support this vital work ensuring churches can efficiently and effectively provide the care refugees need most – food, shelter, warm clothes.

You are welcome to join a Zoom briefing live with Chey:

Your briefing is hosted by Leah Odongo, Acting Executive Director of ALWS.

Leah has 8 years of experience working on the front line of your ALWS work with refugees at Kakuma and Dadaab in Kenya. As Leah interviews Chey, she can bring you the benefit of her experience as well.

The briefing is open to all ALWS supporters. Simply use this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87406633121

You are welcome to ask questions about the Ukraine work you support.

Simply send an email here with your questions for Leah and Chey.

You may remember Chey is an Aussie, and former Executive Director of ALWS. He now serves from Geneva as Head of Operations for LWF.

Chey continues the long history of Australians playing critical roles in LWF:

• Pastor Bruno Muetzelfeldt – began ALWS work at Bonegilla Migrant Centre (near Albury), then led Operations for LWF in Geneva
• Brian Neldner – served for 40 years, including 15 years in Director roles, and in the 1980s won UN support for specialised care for women in refugee situations
• Shirley Golding – gave more than 15 years of service in LWF finances, including in Zimbabwe and in the wake of the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake

Thank you for the service you give through your kindness and generosity. Together we can be a blessing ALWayS!

Jontahan

PS: Tomorrow – Wednesday 6 April – use this Zoom link to join the 30 minutes briefing on your ALWS work supporting the people of Ukraine, and refugees from other crises in danger of being forgotten. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, we’ll record the session so you can watch it later. 

HOPE Spot #16: Wednesday 30 March

Ed Sheeran joins you for Ukraine (tonight!)

Our ALWS community has already responded with overwhelming generosity to help the people of Ukraine through Lutheran churches serving on the front line.

Now, Ed Sheeran and other musical stars are adding their talents to your kindness, through a two hour Concert for Ukraine on ABC TV Plus, tonight at 8.30 AEDT.

(If you don’t know who Ed Sheeran is, he has album sales of around 23 million!)

Proceeds from the concert go to the Emergency Action Alliance, of which ALWS is a foundation member – thus boosting our ALWS action.

Other performers at the concert include:

• Camila Cabello
• Nile Rodgers & Chic
• Snow Patrol
• Becky Hill
• The Kingdom Choir
• Manic Street Preachers
• Tom Odell

Viewers will be able to donate money to help the people of Ukraine through the concert, and for the following 30 days that it is available on ABC iView.

I know this is very late notice – the event only came together yesterday – but I hope you are as excited as I am at the way people are coming together for the people of Ukraine.

You are welcome to donate here for the kind of work you see here…

… working through our ALWS partner, Lutheran World Federation, and churches of many denominations from around the world through the ACT Alliance.

Your ALWS action focuses on supporting Lutheran churches in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to welcome refugees, and to also support the aid efforts of the Lutheran church inside Ukraine.

Hot meals. A place to sleep. Soap and toothpaste.

Even incontinence pads for elderly people in distress.

Most of all, a warmth of welcome that tells people they are not alone or forgotten, and that there are people of kindness and generosity willing to stand with them.

Together, we pray for an end to the suffering, and a swift return to peace and justice.

Your donation now will be a blessing ALWayS.

Thank you for all you do for others, and I hope that if you can watch the Concert for Ukraine tonight you will feel encouraged that world class performers of the calibre of Ed Sheeran share your deep concern for the people of Ukraine.

Jonathan

PS: As we support this action for the people of Ukraine, ALWS continues to take your care to the victims of other wars at risk of being forgotten – Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ethiopia. Thank you for caring here too. Donate now

HOPE Spot #15: Friday 25 March

How you help get girls to school in danger zones

Did you hear the overnight news from Afghanistan?

The Taliban are banning girls from going past Grade 6 at school.

This broken promise hurts girls now and for the future.

No matter how much courage girls and young women have in Afghanistan, without education they are condemned to a life that completely ignores their human rights.

While you and I cannot take on the Taliban face to face, through ALWS we can continue supporting careful work inside Afghanistan …

… and to Afghan families who have managed to escape to Pakistan.

At the moment, we cannot provide education directly to girls, but we can:

• target vocational training at women
• aim to ensure females are at least half the people you help
• use trainers who are women
• ensure female-headed households are a priority
• train communities against gender-based violence
• model having women in leadership roles

Clearly, this is not as direct as we’d like it to be, but I am sure you understand the challenges. You are welcome to support this work for the girls and women of Afghanistan through our Children of War appeal here.

Meanwhile, you continue helping girls in danger zones like Somalia…

In Somalia, girls face the danger of being forced into early marriage, and having children before they want, or before their bodies are ready.

Through ALWS, you support Somali girls in Displaced Persons Camps to go to school.

You provide education essentials like:

• school uniforms – as you see in the photo
• clean water
• support and supplies for Menstrual Health
• gender-segregated toilets

Donate here

In countries bordering Ukraine, our ALWS partner Lutheran World Federation (LWF) aims to provide more than one million Euros worth of education to children fleeing the war.

You can see the challenge when existing classrooms have had to be turned into refugee centres…

As you will know from news reports, men aged 18 – 60 must remain in Ukraine to help resist the attacks on their country. This means the majority of refugees are women and children – something we see in other refugee situations in other places.

That’s why children’s education and female-targeted programs are a critical part of your ALWS care for refugees.

Rebekka Meissner, from LWF, last week visited border crossings between Ukraine and Poland to look at how best to support the Lutheran churches delivering your care.

Rebekka noted there will be a longer-term need for education and child-care provided by Ukrainian language speakers.

“Those who have already found a place to stay in Poland
could be trained as educators, providing a sense of purpose
and preventing negative coping mechanisms.”

I have given you a lot of information today.

I hope this gives you a deeper insight into what you do through ALWS in the world’s danger zones, especially making sure the particular needs of girls and women are not forgotten.

You can support your ALWS work in these danger zones through our Children of War campaign, which has a special focus on education. Donate here

Thank you for continuing to care even when we face challenges like the Taliban’s banning of girls having education beyond Grade 6. You are a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan

How your donation is used wisely

You help with practical care: Your donation helps victims of wars where you are needed most – including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine and Ethiopia. Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in these projects, those funds will be used in ALWS-supported development projects. Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing, and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

Being careful with your care: In 2021, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 16.7%. The 5 year average is 15.4%. A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407. [ACFID logo]

Your privacy is important to us: ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to alws@alws.org.au

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is The Overseas Aid & Resettlement Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871

HOPE Spot #14: Wednesday 23 March

Baby steps

Two weeks ago, my daughter had a baby girl.

This is not her.

My granddaughter Maya has her own room in a lovely house by a beautiful Australian beach.

This baby girl is two months old Nastia.

She is with her mum and big brother in a room in a church outside of Lviv in Ukraine, after the family fled the bombing on their home.

The church has opened its doors to refugees, prioritising women and children so they don’t have to sleep out in the open and cold at the railway station. (Minus 5 on Sunday night.)

The priest says they have 150 people each night.

Most stay only a day or two, before moving on to seek safety outside of Ukraine.

It’s this kind of front-line hands-on help by churches that you support through ALWS and our ACT Alliance partners, including LWF and Hungarian Interchurch Aid.

If you would like to give your help too, simply donate here.