GS Letter 31-03-2020

SAI – Operation Hunger

COVID 19 – A fervent Appeal to fellow Brethren and Assemblies in India and Abroad

M A R A N A T H A – Our blessed Lord is coming soon

In continuation to our earlier letter dated 23.03.2020, we would like to bring to your kind attention the following sad and horrifying facts about the conditions of some of our jobless poor brethren who are deprived of even one square meal a day due to the present lock down. As days go by with this pandemic showing no signs of diminishing, our hearts are gravely burdened at the plight of these distressed families whose children are crying out for want of basic food. As we were contemplating and praying for a way to reach out to these hapless victims, we have been motivated to consider a seemingly impossible remedy, which if meticulously adhered to may bring about some solace to satisfy the hunger of our dear fellow beings .

Last week, as a trial run, we could undertake a pilot project of procuring sweet corns and vegetables from local farmers who were eagerly awaiting a prospective buyer for their total farm produce which could not be sold outside on account of the nationwide lock down. After discussions we could pay an amount of One Lakh for buying sweet corns which would be enough to feed 2000 families for one whole month. Measures have been taken to buy necessary vegetables too in the coming days. These food materials are currently being distributed in the tribal belt of Andhra Pradesh by the initiative of one of our Senior SAI Representative and his team who hail from the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. After the successful distribution of food to these hapless tribal brothers, sisters and children, we were encouraged to trust in the Lord completely and extend this food distribution to all our dear fellow brethren based in other needy parts of India as well. Looking up to the Lord for leading and guidance, we prayerfully named this godly Project ‘Operation Hunger’.

At the close of last week, one of our Member from the State of Chhattisgarh called and informed that many of our people there were also facing the same predicament on account of the present lock down. Without trying to ponder in depth the financial implications in this matter, we have decided to commence Operation Hunger in this State as well. Here the model is to procure adequate groceries and other provisions from wholesalers and have the same packed in family packets (one month’s provisions for one family) and have these packets distributed to all our needy brethren in the state of Chhattisgarh.

To undertake this mission successfully we needed many faithful and compassionate volunteers who would be able to do complete justice to this noble cause of feeding the hungry. Our dear SAI Member who raised this concern himself volunteered to take complete responsibility for this herculean task in the state of Chhattisgarh. He and his large team, based in Bhilai, have assured to complete this exercise as soon as possible bringing relief to hundreds of our families who are suffering due to lack of food.

Thereafter, our leaders hailing from very needy States like Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and UP were contacted and this pressing concern was brought to their notice too. Their response was overwhelming and each one of them expressed their willingness to patner in this this difficult mission of distributing food and provisions for the poorest among the poor people who are confined to the four walls of their huts, without a ray of hope. SAI Member from Delhi, SAI Representative from Tatanagar, Jharkhand, Senior Evangelist from UP, Brothers from Bihar and Senior brothers from West Bengal have volunteered to oversee and partner this difficult operation in North India and we have assured all our dear brothers in this mission that we would bear the complete burden of the heavy financial implications of undertaking ‘Operation Hunger’ in these States.

Having made an estimate, we understood that for the supply of food provisions in different States, we need an average of Rs. 1500 per family as the packet would contain food materials enough for one whole month. So far we have been able to successfully complete the distribution of these packets to 2500 families. However, when we calculated the total number of families yet in need of these food packets , we realised that in order to meet the need pertaining to all needy States, we would have to cater to a minimum number of 20,000 families more. As you are aware, enormous funds are necessary to fulfill this Project of ‘Operation Hunger’.

In the meantime, we could also speak to some of the other Members in our Board and they unanimously opined that there is no such grave need with regard to the South Indian States and therefore we have decided not to extend this operation to these States.

However, we are getting innumerable requests on a daily basis from individuals and families from all over the Indian subcontinent including those betext_paralonging to the above mentioned South Indian States requesting for a little financial assistance at these time of grave need. All these requests are considered on a daily basis at the SAI, Bangalore Office, which is working overtime with quite limited staff till date. As the number of requests have increased phenomenally, we are constrained to reduce the quantum of financial assistance rendered but could offer a little gift to everyone who has written to us so far. As per governmental directions, we can give any financial assistance only on the basis of a personal request Mail detailing their need and furnishing their bank Account details.

So far so good!! But where is the source of this large amount of money required to feed these poor jobless families? We are sure that our blessed Lord is the Provider and He will definitely provide in abundance and in plenty. There is no fraction of doubt about that as our experience till date testifies to this unfailing truth.

However, it is our appeal to all our dear affluent brethren whom our blessed Lord has blessed financially and entrusted a little more than these hapless poor needy brethren to rise up to the occasion and execute your role in feeding these hungry masses and thus fulfilling your responsibility as per the Lord’s directive in Mathew 6:19-21. (Do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth……but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven….)

Hence, we beseech you, our dear fellow brethren, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to use this most opportune time wisely laying up your treasures in heaven and partnering in this wonderful ministry of feeding many hungry children and their families who are passing through unimaginable distress under the painful yoke of poverty. In the present circumstances we are well aware that none of us have any clue on when this pandemic will end and when we will be able to go back to our respective offices or even when will we be able to step out from the confines of our homes legally without the fear of uncertainty engulfing us. Yet, these uncertainties are cause of worry only if we look at the situation through a human angle. When we see beyond the horizon through a heavenly perspective, we will surely understand that this is a God-given opportunity to serve the Poor and less privileged which is our duty and privilege, one which is well pleasing to our Master.

The Holy Bible very specifically states in Isaiah 58:7,8: “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry… that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out…When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard”. Yes, my dearly beloved, you can partner in this project of the Lord ‘Operation Hunger’ by generously contribute to the below mentioned Account Numbers.

Or, if you want to make the above mentioned Indian Currency payment online, please use this smart link for Indian Donations: Click Here

May the Lord grant all of us a larger understanding and godly wisdom to know the purpose of God in this unprecedented time of this Covid 19 Pandemic. May His name alone be magnified.

Yours in His Royal Service,

Raju M. Koshy.