HOUSTON, Texas, U.S.A., September 9, 2005 — In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the American Bible Society (ABS) has established a special Hope Fund to meet the 'profound needs' of those affected by one of the largest natural disasters in U.S. history. The fund, which is attracting donations large and small, allows people an opportunity to express their sympathy to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, while at the same time, sharing the hope found in God's Word.
Emergency services, local authorities and relief agencies are still working around the clock to locate and rescue Katrina's survivors, and dozens of states are now host to hurricane refugees - an estimated quarter of a million in Texas alone - as the world reaches out to meet the physical needs of the hurricane's victims. Almost forgotten by the media's coverage, however, is the spiritual crisis left in Katrina's wake.
"Material aid in the form of food, water, clothing and shelter is needed, to be sure," said ABS in a press release, "but spiritual aid in the form of the Bible also is a tangible and meaningful response to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina."
ABS is both calling on Americans to do all they can to meet victims' physical needs and inviting donations to its Hope Fund in order to replace the many Bibles that have been lost by churches and individuals.
In all, more than 330,000 Bibles, New Testaments and Scripture booklets will be distributed by church volunteers, beginning in Houston, and then branching out to other sites that house evacuees. A special version of the Scripture booklet God Is Our Shelter And Strength is being printed and will be shipped on Monday, September 12th. The first of several printings, it will include 200,000 copies in English and 50,000 in Spanish.
In the knowledge that it may take months, or even years, for the region to recover from a natural disaster of this magnitude, the Society is also preparing 'a prolonged and energetic response' for the long term. In collaboration with churches and Christian agencies, such as Convoy of Hope, Operation Compassion and Safe Harbor International, ABS will work to bring Hurricane Katrina's victims a sense of hope, 'something that is absolutely essential for life to be remade'.
The Bible Society is also encouraging people to pray for those so devastatingly affected by the Hurricane Katrina, an appeal echoed by U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday, when he designated Friday, September 16, a national day of prayer and remembrance for the hurricane's victims.
"Hurricane Katrina... caused unimaginable devastation and heartbreak throughout the Gulf Coast region," Bush said in his proclamation. "To honor the memory of those who lost their lives, to provide comfort and strength to the families of the victims, and to help ease the burden of the survivors, I call upon all Americans to pray to Almighty God and to perform acts of service."
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