Venezuela Appeal - January 2022 Update

Venezuela, home to the world’s largest oil reserves, is a case study in the perils of becoming a petrostate. Since it was discovered in the country in the 1920s, oil has taken Venezuela on an exhilarating but dangerous boom-and-bust ride that offers lessons for other resource-rich states. Decades of poor governance have driven what was once one of Latin America’s most prosperous countries to economic and political ruin… So begins a recent article from the Council of Foreign Affairs and it is that kind of news which tends to stick in our heads when we think about “Venezuela.”

Being a student of mission history, I went in search of the background of our (newer) partner there, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Venezuela (IVP) – the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela.

Latin America, Partnership, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationJanuary 20, 2022Venezuela, Venezuela Appeal

Refugee Appeal - August 2021

Misery “by the numbers”

In this broken world, 1 out of every 95 people has been forced to flee their home---and many cannot go back. Let that sink in….

In round numbers, lives displaced by manmade disasters (like war) or natural ones (like volcanoes) are 82.4 million: that is slightly less than the entire population of Germany…. or more than 4 times the population of the Netherlands. Need to bring that a bit closer to home? Think the citizens of California + Texas + Ohio running for their lives.

Some flee to other parts of their own country---we call them “displaced.” If they cross borders, they become “refugees.” Within both groups, 50% are children.

Venezuela Appeal Update - May 2020

Praying for Venezuela

Prayer is a crucial element of everything we do at The Outreach Foundation. As you join us in intercessory prayer, please consider this information about the difficult situation that the people of Venezuela are facing:

1. Food Prices: Since the quarantine began, food prices have increased by 153%. A chicken or a carton of eggs is $5.00. Because most monthly salaries are around $4.00, there are serious problems of food insecurity in impoverished neighborhoods. Please pray for the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan families suffering from food insecurity, and for pastoral families who are also affected.

South America, Projects, PartnershipThe Outreach FoundationMay 28, 2020Venezuela Appeal, Venezuela

Venezuela Appeal - December 2019

According to The United Nations, more than 4 million Venezuelans have left their country. Those that remain in Venezuela are struggling. Despite the severe economic crisis the country is experiencing, the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV) has been demonstrating grace in many ways.

Thanks to ongoing donations, The Outreach Foundation has been able to continue its support of the initiatives of the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela. Thousands of food baskets have been distributed, medications have been provided to members and friends that could not afford them, and Bibles have been handed out in more than 20 different neighborhoods. Grateful for our partnership, the IPV said that Outreach’s support will be very helpful for the expansion of their ministry efforts during the year 2020.

Partnership, South America, ProjectsThe Outreach FoundationDecember 10, 2019Venezuela Appeal

Venezuela Appeal - April 2019 Update

Land of Grace

Tradition has it that upon making landfall on his third voyage, Christopher Columbus pronounced the words, "Land of Grace." Taken by such an exuberant landscape, he had no alternative but to let himself be overcome by the need to contemplate the beauty that opened before his eyes. Columbus and his sailors had arrived in Venezuela.

Grace has surely been present in these lands tucked between the Caribbean Sea, the northern tip of the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest. Long before Columbus arrived, God’s grace was present. Despite the severe economic crisis the country is experiencing now, the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV) has been demonstrating grace by inviting neighbors to enjoy warm meals and thoughtful conversations.

The Outreach FoundationApril 10, 2019Venezuela Appeal

Partner Updates

Misery “by the numbers”