19 Mar COVID 19 UPDATE FROM SERVING ORPHANS WORLDWIDE
To our prayer warriors and generous supporters,
As the world is attempting to navigate through these unprecedented times, we would like to remind everyone in our SOW family just how much we love and appreciate you all. We completely understand that this is uncharted waters for all of us, and the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty are very real for many.
Your love and generous support allows us to continue providing much needed financial support to the thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children served by our partner homes during this difficult time. With 100 percent of your gift going directly to the field, you can be assured that you are having a significant impact.
Staff in the field are feeling the incredible pressure and responsibility, as they are attempting to prevent the spread of a virus that can potentially have an impact on all children and caregivers.
While every home is practicing various guidelines as recommended by their own country’s government, all of our partner homes are currently practicing social distancing to keep the virus from spreading. This means school and church closures, as well as cancellations from visiting missions teams that these homes heavily rely on for additional support throughout the year. In some places, food and supply shortages have been an issue. All our partner homes have had to adjust their daily routines and how they manage their resources accordingly.
The good news is we will continue to consistently provide funds to our partner homes so at the very least, it is one less thing they have to worry about. We could not do this without you. We would like to share just one of the many ways that your support, past and present is providing for these children during this crisis.
Last year, you helped provide the Center of Hope in Vietnam with their very own vegetable garden, banana plantation, and fish pond. They also have access to clean water on the property, thanks to you. With these resources available on site, they can sustain themselves through these difficult times.
We know that the Lord is and will continue to be in control as we get through this together. We want to leave you with the powerful words of Psalm 91.
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
We appreciate you more than you know. If you would like to reach out, learn about how you can help with specific needs or just send an encouraging word, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Development and Communications team at reece@soworldwide.org.
Blessings,
The SOW staff