PCUSA Trying to Help

FYI...We received the following email from Dave Thomas, Stan DeVoog and Marissa Winslow with PCUSA regarding the situation in Tabasco...

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

We are writing to inform you of a disaster in Mexico that is not
receiving much news coverage in the U.S., but one that has already
had greater impact than the recent landfall of Hurricane Dean.
Several days ago, there was a weather phenomenon that caused large
waves to inundate the coastline of the state of Tabasco,
accompanied by heavy rains in the area of two major rivers...the
Grijalva and the Usumacinta...which both pass through the state
in the city of Villahermosa.  The resulting flooding has affected
an estimated 70% of the state´s residents.  The situation in
Tabasco is severe and extremely critical for thousands of Tabasco
residents.  The presbytery office in Villahermosa has been converted
into a major shelter, and the Tabasco Synod office there is
completely flooded.

Earlier this week, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance sent $10,000
as a rapid response fund, but the magnitude of this situation --
which is beyond the control and capability of the local and state
government -- demands a comprehensive effort.  The good news is that
the Mexican government is allowing and facilitating aid from a variety
of church-related agencies including the Presbyterians.  PDA needs
funds right now to deal with this situation.  What is desperately
needed is canned food, bottled water, blankets, floor mattresses,
first aid medicines, equipment and materials for purifying water,
and clothing...but because of the limited access to the region, it's
preferable that financial aid be sent.  It's still possible to buy
needed supplies in the local marketplace, which is the best way to
meet the needs of the people.

If your U.S. presbytery or local church can help, please send
contributions to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, using the following
account code:  DR000014 for Mexico.  You can do this on the PC(USA)
website at:
http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/latinamerica/mexico-index.htm

PDA is working closely with the leadership of our partner denomination,
the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, helping to coordinate
the disaster response with the local Synod and local Presbyteries
in Tabasco.  Yesterday afternoon there was a meeting with 8 presbytery
representatives from the Tabasco Synod, but many others did not attend
because they couldn't get there. The Mexican Presbyterian leaders who
are coordinating the recovery in Tabasco have undergone special training
that was conducted cooperatively by PDA and other disaster agencies.

As someone who is involved in a partnership with a Mexican church or
presbytery, we urge you to consider making a financial contribution
to PDA so that immediate assistance can be rendered in the state of
Tabasco.

Que Dios le bendiga,

Dave Thomas, Regional Liaison with Mexico Stan DeVoogd,
Area Coordinator for Mexico and Central America

Marisa Winslow
Administrative Assistant for Central America/Mexico
General Assembly Council
PCUSA World Mission

We'd recommend that anyone who is able to contribute financially do so through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance rather than through Hebron USA. PDA is much more likely to be able to get funds to those in need promptly. Please join us in continuing to pray for all those affected by this situation including a woman from the Coastal Carolina Presbytery who could not be evacuated with the group from White Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh, NC there for a work group this week.

I'm not going to burden folks with frequent emails about this situation, but I'll be trying to post to this blog regularly as I have new information. There's much to be grateful for too. To the best of my knowledge, there's been only one death. Join us in prayer for his family and in gratitude for the safety of literally over one million others affected by this flood.

Su hermana en Cristo,
Ginny