October 8, 2009
Dear Christian school leader:
Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus.
Because we are an international association with member schools in over 100 nations, we hear from people around the world when hardship or tragedy strikes. That was the case in late September when two typhoons caused over 240 deaths and millions of dollars in damage to buildings, equipment, and supplies in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines. We invite you to prayerfully consider helping damaged ACSI member schools recover from the effects of the typhoons which were the worst in over 50 years. Dr. Tabitha Bullecer, ACSI’s Philippines Country Director, has documented significant damage to some of our schools.
Your brothers and sisters serving in Christian schools in the Philippines need your immediate prayers. Your gifts will send a strong message of compassion to these your Christian school colleagues. Please also pray for our ACSI Asia Office staff as they deal with this crisis in the midst of preparations for three teacher conferences this month.
We already have detailed reports on the damage incurred at six of our schools there. Charisma Christian school lost all supplies on their first floor, including computers and books. The sanitation cleanup that is needed before the school can reopen will be costly. At Emmaus Christian School in Valenzuela City, the first floor of their three-story building was flooded, leaving five feet of water in the library, home economics room, and school supply room. All library books were lost, along with instructional materials and school supplies.
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Charisma Christian School
first floor
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Destroyed school supplies at
Emmaus Christian School
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Though these schools suffered great loss, they blessed their surrounding communities by hosting displaced families and serving as relief centers as supplies came in to assist needy families. In the midst of suffering, our ACSI schools were a blessing to others.
Now we have the opportunity to bless them. If you or your school are interested in contributing to the ACSI Relief Fund, ACSI will ensure that the gifts are properly administered and that the gifts bring relief where they are most needed. Any relief fund donations received beyond the current need will be retained by ACSI for future relief projects among our schools. You can contribute now using our secure online donation site. In the Giving Opportunities dropdown box, select Relief. At the bottom of the page, include a message in the Comments box that you wish your gift to go to the Philippines Relief Fund. You may also mail gifts to ACSI Relief Fund, P.O. Box 65130, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-5130; if you are in Canada, you may mail your gift to the Western Canada or Eastern Canada Regional Office. More information about the damage incurred by our member schools is available on the ACSI website.
ACSI membership brings many benefits, including the joy of occasionally sharing to meet the crisis needs of Christian educators and schools around the world. As members of ACSI you can be part of God’s blessing to these schools. Join us, and may God have the glory.
Serving our King together,
Brian S. Simmons
President
Philippines Relief Letter from Brian Simmons