Rice for 4,800
By Tianna Haas | Niger in West Africa
Representative photo.
In August, SIM Niger established a relief fund to aid a community that had been through many forms of disaster – a terrible harvest, terrorism, school closings, unemployment problems from the pandemic. Although the situation was daunting, God provided powerfully for the hungry through a surprise donor.
Julie Faulkner, the project manager of the relief fund, said, “At one pivotal point early on, there was a request for food for 4,800 people in one area of the country. I just didn’t see how the fund could manage that.”
Many were struggling to find meals and only ate 100 to 200 calories of food a day. She continued, “With this heavy situation on my heart, I spoke with our country director. We didn’t see a way forward, but together we just prayed for God’s provision.”
That day, when Julie returned home from the office, she checked her email and saw a message from someone she’d never met. She said, “When I called him back, he said he was seeking information about the relief effort. I shared what had been going on, and he donated 50,000,000 CFA ($100,000 USD) on the spot!”
In shock, Julie realised the gift was no coincidence. She said, “I was reminded of the prayers we had spoken an hour before. Who is this God we serve and how does he move hearts in such perfect timing?”
Faithful pastors have now distributed thousands of kilos of rice and millet in the Makalondi Region. Julie said, “Thousands of kilos of rice have also been distributed in the Diffa area, where most people fear to go. One church in the US took up a challenge to raise money so that local pastors could distribute food to people in the Dosso Region during the last several months.
“The relief fund has received gifts between 5,000 to 50,00,000 CFA ($10-$100,000 USD), and the outpouring of generosity is something that could only be made possible by our good, good Father.”
Help through the Niger relief fund
This community has gone through much turmoil. Please consider joining us as we respond to the hungry and distressed with practical and spiritual help. To give, visit our donation page and use project number 97131 for the SIM Niger Emergency Relief Fund.
Pray for:
• courage for the pastors who are distributing food and the message of the gospel.
• the downhearted and discouraged that they would know the hope of Christ and his care for them.
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