Disaster Relief Goes to Joplin

Matthew 25: Ministries' first shipment of disaster relief to Joplin, Missouri left yesterday around 1:00 pm. It is scheduled to arrive in Joplin sometime today. This truckload included food, water, tarps and personal care items, which will be distributed to tornado victims. We continue to pray for those in Joplin and all areas devastated by the recent tornado outbreak.

Below are a few photos of our first shipment of tornado relief supplies as they leave for Joplin, MO.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

A Single Flickering Light

Last week, I led a small team of staff and M25M representatives to Nicaragua. On the way there, our plane out of Cincinnati was delayed, which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Miami. We ended up having to wait 8 hours for the next flight to Nicaragua.

I was frustrated for a couple of reasons. First of all, we were going to lose a half day in Nicaragua, leaving us with less time to get our work accomplished. Second of all, I would not be able to spend as much time in the country that inspired my father to start Matthew 25: Ministries, which has become a second home to me. It had been over 10 year’s since I had been back, so I was excited to return, even for this brief trip. The delay was extremely frustrating and maddening.

When we finally departed for Managua, it was late in the evening and getting dark. On our final decent to land in Nicaragua, I could see thousands of lights from my plane window, but I became fixated on a single flickering light located away from the others. Maybe this light was a fire used by a village to cook, or perhaps it was the only light available in a small village. Whatever it was, I stared even more intently. The more I stared, the more all of my earlier frustrations went away.

That single flickering light reminded me that I was coming to Nicaragua as a single light myself, and that my light would hopefully touch others and give hope. Then they, too, would become lights. Instead of just my one light, there would be thousands.

God has a funny way of showing us the important things in life. My earlier frustrations were nothing; I was there for a much greater purpose. While spreading hope is important, we can’t forget about that one single flickering light. Before there can be thousands, there has to be one.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Matthew 25: Ministries is a "Slam Dunk" for Donors

M25M has been ranked #1 on Charity Navigator’s list of 10 Slam-Dunk Charities!

Today we found out that Charity Navigator ranked Matthew 25: Ministries at the top of their list of 10 best charities in the US. Our position as #1 was earned by our fiscal standing and respecting the rights of donors- two values that we put at the top of our list. In addition, Matthew 25: Ministries has been awarded a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator for both our organizational efficiency and capacity.

We are excited to receive this acknowledgement and will remain committed to our fiscal responsibilities and protecting the personal information of our donors. More than 99% of all cash and in-kind donations goes towards our programs.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Disaster Update: Earthquake and Tsunami

Photo Credit: August Kengelbacher; Granger Collection, New York; The New York Times via Smithsonian, May 2011; Volume 42, Number 2

The 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 is not the first time the quake-prone nation has been crippled by such devastation. On September 1, 1923 an equally horrific set of disasters hit the island. At that time, the Great Kanto Earthquake was considered to be the worst natural disaster ever to ravage Japan. The initial tremor of the quake lasted a mere 14 seconds, yet managed to collapse every seafront structure in the town of Yokohama. Minutes later a 40-foot tsunami engulfed the coastal town, swallowing thousands of people and buildings. Gas lines ruptured by the quake spawned debris-fueled fires that spread across the remaining landscape.  However, with the energy and strength of character that distinguish the Japanese, Yokohama recovered and has become the second largest city in Japan.

The recent catastrophe in Japan shares a likeness to the disaster that occurred more than eighty-five years ago. In both instances, the seismic activity induced a series of horrifying events, including tsunami waves, fires, and life-threatening leaks from gas or nuclear energy sources. Now, as we look toward the results of the two disasters, we can expect continued similarities – Japan will once again emerge and rebuild with strength and courage. 

Photo Credit: Unpo Takashima; www.artelino.com via Smithsonian, May 2011; Volume 42, Number 2

The Japanese people are resilient and self-motivated. They take pride in helping themselves and each other in times of distress. It is our honor to work with them during this current recovery process, and we thank all of you who have individually contributed to our work there. So far, Matthew 25: Ministries has provided the victims of the March earthquake and tsunami with food, water, and blankets. We will continue to ship aid as long as our partners request it. Thank you for believing in our work, and for believing in the future of Japan.

Photo Credit:Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division; National Museum of Japanese History via Smithsonian, May 2011; Volume 42, Number 2

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Donations to Matthew 25: Ministries

When donating money to Matthew 25: Ministries, we want you to know that all donations designated for a specific relief effort are always used as requested. We do not take out a percentage for overhead, so you know your money is going exactly where you’ve requested.

God bless everyone who is contributing in some way to the those affected by this disaster.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Disaster Update: Southern Tornado Outbreak

Matthew 25: Ministries’ Vice President, Tim Mettey, and two other staff members are currently in Alabama helping with tornado relief. Here are two of the many first-hand accounts he has heard from the people there:

#1: The team’s host family, Jordan and Emily, were both away from home when the tornado struck. Jordan was in class. Emily was working as a nurse at the only hospital in Tuscaloosa. She and her co-workers watched with much anticipation as the tornado headed directly toward them. Luckily, at the last minute, it dodged the hospital.

Within the next 12 hours, 600 patients arrived at the hospital for treatment. Due to the urgency of their situations, the hospital could not take the time to register all of the patients’ real names. Many people were admitted under aliases. However, this made it difficult for loved ones to find them.

#2: In one community, no one heard the sirens. Some say they didn’t go off at all, though this has not been confirmed. Either way, the people were unprepared for the ferocity of the storm. 25 children were playing at the community playground when the tornado hit, and all of them died. Almost all of the houses in this community were flattened, and the families are now struggling to pick up the pieces of their homes and their lives.

View photos of Matthew 25: Ministries' Disaster Relief Team responding to the disaster.

Please pray for the many people who are now trying to recover from this disaster. Matthew 25: Ministries will continue to post updates, photos, and videos from our team as soon as they become available.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.