The Open Hands United Mission Team of Burton Ave United Church has been taking youth, young adults and adults on short-term missions to Nicaragua since 2007. On November 3, we learned that Hurricane Eta, a Category 4 hurricane, had slammed into the northeast coast of Nicaragua, leaving a trail of massive destruction in its wake. Fortunately there were few fatalities, but the two communities that Open Hands United are involved with suffered widespread damage. More than half of Puerto Cabezas has been destroyed. Trees litter the roadways and the wells are filled with muddy water. In Waspam, whole communities up and down the Rio Coco have been wiped out. The roads are flooded. The winter crops of beans and rice have been destroyed. There is an urgent, immediate need for food and medicines and clean water, and a longterm need for the rebuilding of homes, churches and schools. The Open Hands United Mission team has been deeply gratified by the number of people who have reached out to us and asked if they could help. We have been contacted by youth and adults who have been to Nicaragua, by clergy from other churches, by family and friends, and by members of our own congregation. This desire to help has meant the world to David Sujo Taylor, who is our “man on the ground” in Nicaragua. To quote from a text David sent to me recently: “ Just to know that we are not alone, that our friends in Canada remember us and are praying for us, and that you are able to send some money to help us help the people who are suffering here… There are no words to thank you for all the support you have given us over the years”.
If you would like to make a donation for Hurricane Relief in Nicaragua, you can do so in one of the following ways:
Drop off a cheque made out to “Open Hands United” at Burton Ave United Church. Make sure that the cheque is clearly marked “For Hurricane Relief”.
2.Mail a cheque made out to “Open Hands United” that is clearly marked “For Hurricane Relief” to Burton Ave United Church, 37 Burton Ave, Barrie Ontario L4N 2R3.
3.Etransfer directly to the church’s account, making sure that your donation is marked for “ Open Hands United Hurricane Relief “. The email address is : [email protected] .
A tax receipt will be issued for donations of $20.00 or more.
With our thanks,
Rev Pat
on behalf of the BAUC Nicaragua Mission Team
As you may know, the country of Nicaragua is experiencing human rights violations. Young people are rising up in protest against the oppressive powers of the government and many have been killed or their lives have been threatened. Open Hands is an exposure mission experience that brings people of all ages from this area to experience and work with the people of Nicaragua. Recently, Open Hands had to cancel their 2018 mission trips, because of the travel ban that has been placed for civilians to travel to Nicaragua.
Open Hands United
We are a group that helps to raise funds and strengthen our relationship and partnership with the Moravian Church and the people of Nicaragua.
Open Hands United facilitates mission exposure trips to Nicaragua for groups within the Presbytery and Conference as well as for congregations across Canada. Every two years a group from our congregation travels to Waspam on the east side of Nicaragua. For more information about Open Hands United contact Rev. Patricia Gale-MacDonald at [email protected] or you can reach her at Burton Avenue United Church 705-726-0401