It is certainly a healing balm to receive in Global Ministries a word from Prawate Khid-arn, general secretary of the Christian Council of Asia,reminding us that "we pray to God to give the Gulf Coast communities strength and courage ...", when the Council is still responding to the Tsunami disaster in their region. It is like a balm of salvation to receive now from Noemi Espinoza, executive president of the Christian Commission for Development of Honduras, her prayer and word of compassion and solidarity, while at the same time reminding us with deep gratitude "how supportive you were to our people during the tragedy of Hurricane Mitch." And it is a precious balm from Gilead to receive word this week that the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea is sending a $2,000 offering for the Disciples and UCC efforts among the victims of Katrina. The same could be said of each email, phone call and letter we have been receiving from a cloud of witnesses in our Church family in Cuba, United Kingdom, Lebanon, El Salvador, Jamaica, France, Haiti, China, India, Argentina, and so many other countries in the global community.

At such a time as this, when for many of our Disciples/UCC pastors, regional and conference ministers, and lay leaders, it may be difficult to see the light and find the needed strength in the midst of this "valley of the shadow of death," it is a balm of joy to be reminded that we are not alone in this journey; that we, Disciples and UCC, are not the body of Christ by ourselves, but just one of its members; and that when one member hurts, the entire body hurts. We know that, of course, but we need to hear it again, especially today. Thank God, we are not alone.

Reflection written by David Vargas
President of the Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-executive Global Ministries

Greetings from the Latin American Bible University in Costa Rica. We wanted to express to you our deepest solidarity with what has happened to the victims of hurricane Katrina. For people that live in Latin America and the Caribbean, we know very well what it means to lose family members, homes and work. We understand the magnitude of the disaster and we are thinking about so many people who have lost a loved one, or their most essential possessions. Personally, I am thinking about all of the immigrants in search of a better life, now facing this situation.

However we continue to affirm the hope! We know that the churches play an important role in this whole process of reconstruction and accompaniment.

Violeta Rocha
Rector, Latin American Bible University, Costa Rica

From the United Church of Christ in Japan

It was with great alarm and sadness that we learned of the terrible human loss and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region of the United States on August 29, 2005. Our hearts and prayers go out to the thousands of victims in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Please know your Japanese brothers and sisters in Christ are holding the hurricane victims, Global Ministries, and your entire nation in our prayers. We pray especially for all those who have lost loved ones and their
homes in this disaster.

Please accept the condolences and prayers of the entire United Church of Christ in Japan. Our nation has experienced many tragedies caused by earthquakes,
typhoons and tsunamis throughout our history. In this way we pray for Global Ministries as you respond to this natural disaster.

I am reminded of the passage:
"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2 NRSV.

May God grant all the victims and relief workers a sense of refuge and trust in the difficult days ahead. As always we give thanks for our mission partnership in Christ and lift you up in this difficult time.

Yours In Christ,
Rev. Nobuhisa Yamakita
Moderator of the United Church of Christ in Japan

From the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training, and Education (FEDICE) in Ecuador

We are deeply moved by the adversities left by hurricane Katrina. The irreparable human loss, the material damage, and the social conflicts are immeasurable, according to the news that we receive. We want to express to you our unbreakable solidarity, our permanent prayers because the Lord grants you the serenity and gives you the knowledge and the strength necessary to overcome the tragic events. We are, at the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training and Education (FEDICE), trying to join together with you all in some way, beginning with moral support and prayer.

Fraternally in Christ,
Victor Hugo Vaca
Executive Director of FEDICE

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are here in El Salvador and in our Central American Churches (CILCA), very troubled by the events that occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In the presence of so much pain, we are very sad, and we recognize that faith and appealing to God in the most difficult times is a fortune. We are in constant prayer with the love of God and spiritually we accompany you. We want to express to the entire Church, to all the Bishops and all the Pastors, we walk together hand in hand with our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35)

Blessings,
Medardo E. Gómez
Bishop, Iglesia Luterana Salvadoreña
President, Comunión de Iglesias Luteranas en Centro América (CILCA)

Beloved Sitters and Brothers in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I would like to express our deep sympathy with the displaced people and our condolences for the departed ones. It has been a great shock to us to see all this devastation caused by the hurricane. If there is anything we can do for you as a sign of fellowship and solidarity please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours in Christ,
Elias El Halabi
Middle East Regional Secretary
World Student Christian Federation
Beirut, Lebanon

From the Church of South India

Dear friends,

It is with utmost grief and unspeakable shock that we in India read about the waves of Katrina that has left thousands of our dear American brothers and sisters either dead or devastated and rendered homeless. I would like to take this opportunity to express the sincere solidarity and prayer support on behalf of your brothers and sisters in the Church of South India. May the good Lord give you the necessary guidance, resources and comfort at this time of extreme suffering that your great country is going through.

With sincere solidarity,
Yours in Christ,
DR.MRS.PAULINE SATHIAMURTHY
General Secretary, Church of South India

From the Communion of Churches in Indonesia

On behalf of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and its member churches we hereby express our heartfelt condolences with the profound grieve and sorrow on the demise of about thousand victims through the Hurricane Katrina, which struck the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi several days ago.

We hope that relief and rescue efforts will be successful in helping the survivors and we pray to the Almighty God to grant strength and fortitude to the bereaved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with the survivors, who suffered the loss of their loved ones.

Sincerely yours,
On behalf of Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI)
Rev. Dr. Richard M. Daulay
General Secretary

From the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany

We are deeply touched by the tragic disaster and horrible consequences of the hurricane which wreaked havoc in the area of New Orleans and the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi pushing thousands and thousands of people into deep despair and affecting millions of our American sisters and brothers adversely. We are sending you our deepest heartfelt sympathies and prayers for God’s protection and guidance. We are praying for the dead, their families and friends who mourn them, the homeless and hungry, those without drinking water and threatened by epidemics and despair. In moments like these we share the common witness of the love of Christ even in the midst of suffering and with the promise of the power of Christ's resurrection overcoming the powers of death. Our Lord Jesus Christ says: "In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage - I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).

May this Word from the Gospel help you to comfort the many who are affected by this terrible disaster.

We are asking for God's assistance in these difficult days for your country and people.
God bless you and your church.

Yours in Christ,
Friederike von Kirchbach
Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany

From Rawdat El-Zuhur, Jerusalem
(This school participates in Global Ministries' Child Sponsorship program)

Dear friends and sponsors: From all of us at Rawdat El-Zuhur, children, staff, administration and board, we want you to know that our hearts go out to all those who have been devastated by hurricane Katrina. More than anybody else, we as Palestinians, can empathize with all those who were dispossessed and have become refugees overnight, a situation which we have constantly experienced.

Although many of you have not been affected personally, but it must be a national disaster that you all have to cope with as mother nature struck so brutally. It is a time when one needs to reflect seriously about the futility of wars and human made disasters. Is not the suffering that nature imposes on the world enough? We hope your president will take time to reflect on this issue and realize that it is time to bring back the troops from Iraq, so that your people and the Iraqis will be spared further suffering.

From the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services in Egypt

Dear Friends in Christ,

Images of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina carried by the media here are absolutely unbelievable. And the impact of the subsequent flooding in New Orleans is just horrible. The idea of thousands and thousands of American refugees- without homes, without clothing, without means of transportation, without communication, separated from other family members-- is almost beyond comprehension. It certainly drives home the point that man, despite all his power and technology and tools, is still very small against the awesome power of nature.

It is a relief to see that rescue operations at the needed size and impact are now underway. Please be assured of my prayers for you as well as for the refugees and for the whole nation as it struggles to support and care for its people and to clean-up and rebuild its cities and homes.

We at CEOSS stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the US through our prayers and words of support. We pray that you and your beloved ones are safe and we pray as well for those who are affected so that the Lord May comfort their soul and help them pass this tragic situation smoothly.

God Bless You,
Nabil S. Abadir, Director General/ CEOSS

From the French Reformed Church

We are terribly impressed by the news and the images we have got about the devastation of the south of USA. We want to express our feelings of compassion for the people who are suffering, those homeless, those injured, those confronted to death. If your church has any special needs, please, let us know.

In prayer, in the light of Christ,
Didier Crouzet
French Reformed Church

From the Evangelical Church of Westphalia

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

We are deeply shocked by the pictures and words that brought to us the news about the impact of the hurricane Katrina which devastated the Golf Coast, desolated New Orleans and affects thousands of innocent people. In the name of our President, Alfred Buss, the Governing Church Board and all of our Church members I wish to convey my condolences to your Church and to your Country.

As Sisters and Brothers in Christ we want to ensure you, that we are with you in our thoughts and Prayers: with your churches and your people. This disaster goes beyond our understanding. We pray that God may strengthen you as church leaders as well as the pastors and all within your church who are now trying to be at the side of the victims and to help them.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.
In the midst of despair, we greet you with the promise of our God:

Yes, I know what plans I have in mind for you, Yahweh declares, Plans for peace,
Not for disaster, To give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29.11)

Yours Brother in Christ,
OKR Dr. Ulrich Möller,
Member of Church Board, Head of Ecumenical Department

From the United Reformed Church, United Kingdom

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
We are thinking of you in this time of suffering for so many of your countrymen, women and children in New Orleans and the surrounding area. The scale of devastation, the loss of life, the destruction of the homes and whole way of life of so many people, and so many of them in any case poor, is overwhelming and you and your churches outside the area must feel pretty helpless.
In our little gathering for Night Prayer in our local United Reformed Church last night we prayed for the people in New Orleans - and for your whole country's response to this tragedy.

May God bless you and keep you always.
Rev. Sheila Maxey, Moderator of the United Reformed Church

From the Waldensian Church, Rome, Italy

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During the last days we followed with trepidation and consternation the situation in the areas struck by the hurricane Katrina. I would like to express to you our deep solidarity for a tragedy which struck so many people and among them many poor people who live on the fringes of the most powerful and rich society of the world.

In such a difficult moment for your country I would like to tell you that we prayed for the survivors and for the rescuers. We prayed that homeless people might come to have a roof again, that who is without family might find solace in a fraternal and united congregation.

Obviously our churches are also contributing to a fund-raising campaign promoted by the CWS. But facing these events we also feel called to think over the preservation of the environment and over our relationship with the natural resources from a theological and political point of view. Sometimes we just easily talk about issues like the violence of the nature undermining people's responsibilities.

In this moment we would like to make feel to you our friendship and solidarity in Christ.
Pastor Maria Bonafede

We are deeply troubled to here of the devastation to lives and property caused by Hurricane Katrina in the Southern USA. We have been seeing the news reports here and recognize that this is a disaster of significant proportions.

We stand in solitary with you as this time as we recognize it must be a difficult time for the survivors of this hurricane, their families and the whole USA as a whole. In addition to the loss suffered by individuals, no doubt your churches in that region also suffered significant damage.

Please be assured of our prayers for all of you in the Church family and the country as you face this time of disaster. We know of the difficulties that will arise from disasters like these having had to face them ourselves in the past.

We pray that God's grace and peace will continue to be with you in this time of disaster and turmoil.

Every blessing,

Yours sincerely,
United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
Rose Wedderburn
Deputy General Secretary

From the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)

We are sad to know about the extensive damage caused by the hurricane Katrina on Mississipi, Alabama and Louisiana.

We are shocked to hear the death of nearly 100 people, and the destruction of the property by the hurricane.

Our heart and prayers are with those, who have lost their family members and friends, and valuable possessions.

We express our solidarity to those who are managing to survive under the current trying situation.

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy over the death and destruction caused by strong storms ever to hit the US Gulf Coast.

We pray to God to give the Gulf Coast communities strength and courage to deal with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary
CCA

From Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)

As we receive news of the terrible destruction and loss of life wrought by Hurricane Katrina, our hearts are filled with sadness for all those so deeply affected; indeed, as one community of faith around the world, we are all deeply affected. On behalf of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) I send the expression of our prayer and our solidarity with all those who are suffering from this terrible act of nature. Perhaps the UCC has churches and church members in the areas hit by the hurricane. Please share with them the assurance of the prayers and support of their brothers and sisters of the PROK. I know that the ministers and members of the PROK across the country are praying not only on Sunday but each day as they remember their suffering sisters and brothers in the United States.

The PROK will send a prayerful donation in the amount of US$2000 jointly to the UCC and CC(DOC) through their shared Global Ministries.

In prayer and faith,
Rev. Yoon Kil-Soo
General Secretary

From the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon

As we watch the news of the Katrina's disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and learn of the tragedies caused to so many people in New Orleans and other places we ache with them all. And we pray for healing to all those who lost loved ones and property. May God touch them all and renew their hope. And to those who are helping we pray for strength and wisdom.

Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Mary Mikhael
President
Near East School of Theology
Beirut, Lebanon

A message from the Christian Commission for Development of Honduras:

Dear friends, please receive warmest greetings from the CCD staff in Honduras. This is to let you know that we are thinking of you and praying for all those brothers and sisters who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina in your country. We know that this is a very difficult time for them and we pray that the Lord give them strength and hope to be firm in their faith and to recover from this tragedy, as we, together, find ways to support them. We can not avoid to remember in these moments how supportive you were to our people during the tragedy of Hurricane Mitch.

In talking to the CCD staff and since we have adquired some experience in this area, please know that we would be pleased to be of support, just let us know how and when. May the Lord keep us in His word and solidarity.

Noemi Espinoza
Executive President

I am asking on behalf of the Disciples of Christ Church in Argentina that you would send to all our brothers our solidarity, accompaniment and prayers.

Luis Macchi
President
Disciples of Christ Church in Argentina

From the Cuban Council of Churches

Dear brothers and sisters: We have followed the news related to the hurricane Katrina and have known the destruction caused in your country. We are deeply sorry for the affected people, especially for the human lost. You receive our prayers for a soon recovery and God blessings for all the congregations.

"Do not be afraid - I am with you! I am your God- let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you". Isaiah 41:10

Many blessings in Christ!

Lic. Rhode González Zorrilla
President
Cuban Council of Churches

From Rector del Seminario Evangélico de Teología in Cuba

Dear brothers and sisters:

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

We want to express to you our feeling of solidarity in these difficult moments in which the Southern US states are living, especially Louisiana, due to the effects of hurricane Katrina. Know that we are praying for you and we ask the Lord to give you strength and knowledge, so that you can recover from this natural catastrophe, and (we ask) the same God of Love and Peace to console the people who have lost their family members. We feel that we are brothers and sisters in the love of Christ, and know that we are at your side.

Brotherly in Christ,
Reinerio Arce Valentín
Rector del Seminario Evangélico de Teología
Matanzas, Cuba