Donate Online to Good Works If you have any further questions please contact the Coordinator of the Good Works Program, Larry Greider at larry_greider@ucg.org. Contact: United Church of God, an International Association P.O. Box 541027 Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027

The Good Works Program

Current Projects
Philippines Flood Relief
Kenya Famine Relief
United Youth Corps Projects

Posted October 23, 2009

Help with Flood Relief in the Philippines

On the Sabbath before Atonement, Sept. 26, Tropical Storm Ketsana, flooded Manila, Philippines, with its heaviest rainfall in more than 40 years. Many of the members suffered lost and damaged property, but thankfully none were injured during the storm. Ketsana caused approximately 420 deaths.

Our members in Manila were able to hold services on Atonement and travel to Baguio City for the Feast of Tabernacles.

On the Sabbath of Oct. 3, the first day of the Feast, Typhoon Parma, hit the northern island of Luzon, killing 438 people and destroying 55,000 houses. None of our members were injured but several had property and homes damaged or destroyed.

Due to landslides caused by the typhoon, roads to Baguio City were closed and our members were trapped at the Feast site with food and money running low until Monday evening following the Feast.

Thankfully everyone is safely back home and beginning the process of recovery.

- David Baker


From David Uy, a member in Singapore

Greetings To All!

I'm back here in Singapore after, if not the best, the most dramatic feast ever. I thought I could share some highlights and personal experience during the Feast 2009 in Baguio city.

As you all may know, Philippines, particularly Manila was previously hit by a high-rain fall storm prior to the feast. That storm broke all the known records of down-pours in the Philippines. The 6 hours rain was equivalent to a month rain fall. Many were affected by this in Metro Manila region.

We arrived in Manila morning of October 1st. We heard news of people still struggling with the previous storm. Some were still flooded even days after. We also heard that there's another, not one, but two storms slowly closing in the Philippine territory. Still, we enjoyed good weather during our 7 hours bus trip to Baguio City from Manila. Our brethren also were blessed a good weather those who traveled the next day, Oct 2nd. Before the opening night, it started to rain.

During the first 2 days, the rain wasn't that much. Weather reports indicated that tropical storm Pepeng will slightly hit central Luzon (which Baguio City is located) and will peak on the afternoon of October 4.

Rain subsided as Pepeng was reported to about to exit the country. But weather experts estimated that this storm is not through with Philippines yet. The 3rd storm, which was measured a super typhoon, there were 2 possible scenarios. One of which, it will hit central Luzon, and if that happens it will devastate the region due to its very strong wind. The 2nd scenario is that it will continue northward and would not enter the country, BUT could possible push-pull back Pepeng to Philippines.

What happened was Pepeng enters the Philippines 3 times, going back and forth. From the start of the feast up to the 7th there was none stop rain. The worse days was the last 3 days. The wind was seldom strong, its just constantly raining.

On the 7th day, Nazarene and I went to SM Baguio, a famous mall chain in the country. As we got in, wind starting to blew stronger and as we were about to line up for a taxi, we saw a long cue. We were in that cue for 4 hours. The worse thing in this experience is the design of the mall itself. Baguio City has an altitude of 1500 meters (5100 ft) above sea level literally a city on top of a mountain. SM Baguio was designed to be naturally air-cooled and has a wide open space opening on its side. While we are waiting in the line, we literally see clouds being blown inside the mall (see the pict) and as our Asian skin is not accustomed to the very cold weather, we were chilling and shivering most of that 4 hours. We managed to contact my father and fetched us from the mall.

Though it may have rained all through out the feast, we continue to rejoice and worship God in spite of the bad weather. We enjoyed timely and uplifting messages during the services. We enjoyed the festival activities such as, Youth Day, Variety Show, Seniors Night and Family Day. Nazarene helped out in hosting during the children's party and family day event. We also helped out on the flower arranging for one of the service. One thing we also noticed during that time, no child got sick or even caught any cold and only a handful of adults stayed resting in their rooms for a day.

On Last Great Day (Oct 10), the rain stopped. And for the first time after a week long of constant rain, we were blessed with a clear blue sky and yellow bright sunlight. Ah... talk about a good reference for the New Heavens and New Earth! (And just in time for group pictures)

We were told that Baguio City was isolated. All 3 of the access road were blocked with landslides. One even suffered a 25ft road cut with a 50ft revine drop. We had no choice but to stay longer in there. Good thing, as we were staying in a government owned properties, they allowed us to stay longer free of charge.

Good news and bad news arrived. One of the road were slightly cleared of the landslides. The bad news is, it is not passable by bus. The church, rented 7 vans to drop us of in Dagupan, one of the low lands in the region. We were diverted there because some of the low lands were still flooded not passable by light to medium vehicles. I took some pictures of the landslides. One part of the road was blocked by big rocks, bigger than a bus. From Dagupan, we took bus to Manila. We saw the devastation of storm. Many of the rice fields were spoiled. Especially this season is the harvest time in the Philippines. Commercial fish farms over flowed. We can still see the markings on their houses indicating how high the flood was. Some markings were chest deep and some were even roof top level.

The first storm only was in the Philippines for a few hours, good thing Pepeng with a week long rain, didn't hit Metro Manila.

We are all thankful for all prayers and concerns. Greetings from other feast site, including Mr. Baker's were all encouraging.

This experience is both awe-inspiring and humbling. We were all touched by this years feast video and for us, it was so timely. The rain seems nothing compare to the difficulties and trials some of our brethren are facing. Truly, we must look forward, beyond the pain, the gloom and the rain, and always pray to God, 'Thy Kingdom come'.

Sincere Regards,

David and Nazarene

Posted September 1, 2009

Help Kenyan Brethren with Famine Relief

Request for famine relief has been made by the elder in Kenya on behalf of the brethren due to lack of rain and subsequent failure of crops

The money will be used to buy bags of grain (corn meal). These bags of grain will be distributed discreetly by the elder and deacons (not given in services or in a manner to draw attention). The grain is distributed to baptized members and their families only. Typically the grain will help to feed a family for about one month.

There has not been any relief provided by any organization.  There is always talk of help, but very little trickles down to the people who need it.

Needed - $5,000
Please specify donations that are sent to help brethren in Kenya.

From John Elliott and Tim Waddle

Hello Tim Waddle

I refer to the email by Bonnie Greider and wish to comment the following as regards the Food Situation and the Brethren in Kenya. The majority of the Kenyan brethren are in the Western Kenya, some in Central Rift Valley while the rest are in Nairobi and environs, Coastal Area.

In the North rift and Eastern parts of Kenya that is where people have been badly affected by drought and those are the areas organizations like Red cross, World food programme amongst many others have concentrated their efforts in feeding the hungry. The government is also distributing to all other parts of the country but again concentrating in the more affected areas.

However the government food is not reaching every body and what is given is not even enough considering the large population it has to feed. The food in most of these areas is distributed on Saturdays when the politicians are available so as to be seen by their constituents to be the ones bringing food to them. This off course is to give them popularity during the 2012 elections. The distribution being done on Saturday it would not be possible for the brethren to be there for the food. The grains distributed is only a 2Kg tin of Maize per family although there are some that will corrupt so that a family goes with as many of the grown ups are given each 2kg thus getting more than some. 

During this times the grains harvested in a few areas which happen to have a little rain, becomes very expensive with a sack of maize going for between Kshs 2700 and Kshs 3,500. This means that a 2kg tin goes for Kshs 70 which amount is far beyond what our brethren can afford and it is at such times the church comes in and requests for assistance from the good works programme. In migori and ogembo areas such is the case. This is so that they can be helped think about spiritual growth for which we are grateful. With the assistance from good works each family gets one sack of 50 kg which lasts between 2 to 3 months depending on the size of the family.

In Bagaria the situation is so severe to the extent that David tells me that some of the brethren have relocated to other areas where they can at lest be able to get something.

In Elburgon the situation is the same. I did ask Geoffrey Rogi the LCC what their neighbors’ are doing but he informed that food in their area is given out Saturdays when they at services and apart from the small amount which people scramble for, some end up going home with nothing.

That is all I can say for now and hope that the information is helpful.but  Attached please find a report by WFP and others on the food situation that will help understand the situation in Kenya

All the best
Antonio Ndung’u

Posted September 15, 2009

Jordan Outreach and Volunteer Project—United Youth Corps: 
This project is in its fourth year, and follows in the footsteps of the Ambassador Foundation/College student volunteers of the 1980’s and 90’s.  Our volunteers serve in the YMWAY/Bunayat School, the ABS, and the RHSC.    Those serving as assistant teachers in the YMWA Bunayat School for the Mentally Challenged/Special Education are able to make a meaningful and unique contribution to this institution that was begun by Princess Sarvath of Jordan in 1982.   The Bunayat Center is an underfunded endeavor in a Muslim country that is one of the few schools in the middle east that reach out to the handicapped children of the country—both poor and not.   Also serving, the United Youth Corps provides two student teachers at the Amman Baccalaureate School.  While the ABS is a premier school in Jordan that serves the entire population, our service at the school through student teaching builds bridges and relationships with in this primarily Arab school, and enables our volunteers to set an example of true service, understanding, and love in our fractured world, and in particular the complex region of the Middle East.  At present we also have one volunteer that serves at the non-profit research organization—the Regional Human Security Center (RHSC), as a research assistant.  The work of the RHSC is focused on researching how best to care for the needs of displaced families and refugees—striving the raise the level of awareness of humanitarian and human security issues among academics and policy makers at the national and international levels.

Each of these schools and institutions are non-profit, and do their work under the patronage and auspices of the Royal Family of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  Our volunteers, while paid a meager living-expense stipend while serving, sacrifice a year out of their lives to serve the needs and interests of these endeavors in Jordan.   While housing is provided for all of the volunteers and two of the institutions provide a minimal living-expense stipend for food and basic transportation, the United Youth Corps has to secure the funding for the living-expense stipend for two volunteers (The YMWA Bunayat teacher/volunteers) coupled with the transportation costs of the ministry overseeing and visiting the volunteers throughout the year.   The total need/cost being sought through Good Works contribution is $17,900

Teaching Project for Rural Members in Zambia—United Youth Corps: Beginning in the summer of 2009—United Youth Corps began serving the members of the United Church of God in Zambia through by providing Basic English/Remedial classes and fundamental Computer skills classes to interested adults.  The 2 week program for 2 qualified young adults and staff enables our members from the more remote areas in that sub-Saharan African country to gain the confidence of using English to assist them in their personal lives, with learning, and in their worship of God.  

In addition, we also seek to provide basic computer skills classes for those young and other adults desiring to become familiar with fundamentals of laptop or desktop computer use.  From knowing the use of the keyboard, to understanding the nature of the basics uses of computer for personal, academic, and business applications—these classes enable our members to gain confidence in furthering their education and experience with the computer.  7 laptop computers were donated in 2009, and we seek additional donations for the summer 2010 project.  Classes are conducted at the Church’s Feast of Tabernacles property—where members and staff camp in tents and utilize the basic shelters and building provided for the Feast for classroom space.

The expenses for providing this service to the members includes scholarshipping 50% of the airfare of each of our volunteers, ground costs while there, and cost of one ministry/staff accompanying the teaching team to Zambia for two weeks.  The total need/cost being sought through Good Works contribution is $2,500

From Doug Horchak

MISSION
The Good Works program is designed to help members help members (helping hands) following the Biblical admonition of Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  (NKJV)

Through special donations and personal commitment we encourage and organize efforts to support members in need around the world.

VISION
The Church recognizes an obligation to assist brethren in difficult situations whenever possible. While the Church cannot aid all who are in distress, it will endeavor to reach out to those whose situations are most desperate as funds permit. The Church hopes to encourage members to fight the good fight and endure until the end in whatever state they find themselves with the aid and comfort of brethren who can offer some relief

ABOUT
The "Good Works Program" is intended to provide an organized way for brethren to help others in the Church who face unusual, emergency situations that could not be anticipated or budgeted for. The intent of the program is to make these situations known to the Church, and to coordinate the distribution of funds that are raised by congregations or groups in fund-raising efforts.

We do not ask that tithes and offerings be directed to this program, for the reasons given above. Instead, if congregations or groups within a congregation wish to engage in special fund-raising efforts (for example, car washes, garage sales, candy or fruit sales, etc.), and dedicate some or all of the proceeds of those efforts for one or more special needs that arise and are publicized as "Good Works Projects" by the Church (via the Church's Web site), then those funds should be sent in a separate check to the home office.

The coordinator will see to it that they are then passed along to the appropriate designees. Once sufficient funds for a particular project or need are received and passed along, that project will be removed from the Web site.

To make this program work smoothly, we ask that the following steps be followed by those wishing to help.

1. Read the list of projects listed on this page.

2. Discuss fund-raising efforts with the local pastor.

3. Engage in the fund-raising efforts, and make it clear that the effort is separate from tithes and offerings.

4. Send a check to the home office (payable to "United Church of God") to the attention of "Larry Greider , Coordinator of Good Works Program," indicating the project or projects that the funds were dedicated to. Please indicate in a note that accompanies the check that any surplus funds (over and above the amounts needed to meet the needs of that particular project) can be used to help with other "Good Works Program" projects. Otherwise, the Church will need to return the surplus.

Again, thank you, brethren, for your generosity and desire to help our brethren facing emergency needs. Your assistance in following these procedures will help your aid to reach those in need as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Good Works Program is a mechanism by which local congregations, through fund raising activities, can help provide financial assistance in the event of special needs that affect Church members, but fall outside of the Church's annual operating budget. The program will primarily focus on needs in the international areas, but there may occasionally be projects in the United States.

The Council of Elders of the United Church of God, an International Association unanimously passed a resolution to establish the program. The resolution names Larry Greider as the coordinator of the fund. He will be responsible for communicating with ministry and administrative personnel to establish needs and for coordinating the efforts of the congregations that wish to participate. He will also account for and administer the funds.