“Over 29,000 children have died in Somalia refugee camps in a period of 90 days.”

Thank you for being part of Pisgah‟s discussion and planning to help the people – especially the children –of Somalia.

At Pisgah, it started with a charge by the Session to respond to the famine in Somalia and the related refugee camps in a manner beyond the traditional means of simply writing a check to an available aid organization.
The Mission & Evangelism Committee began our work with three planning meetings.
On Sunday, September 3rd, we gathered to simply Explore Ideas. From this meeting several tasks were assigned:

• To identify trusted sources and organizations that are hands-on, effective, and have the ability to effect change in the humanitarian issues.
• To build a number of venues for Pisgah‟s congregation as well as the community at large to participate in and help provide support to the Somali people.
• To learn more so that we understand the issues that give rise to the current humanitarian crises and what we can do.

On Sunday, October 8th, we gathered to discuss Goals & Objectives. From this meeting, the following ideas were discussed:

• Any funding opportunities needed to meet one of two objectives

• Help with the immediate need of those dying of starvation and malnutrition
• Help become part of the longer term solutions to end the crises and bring stability to the region.

We identified two organizations that we thought could be trusted: CARE and World Vision. However, we agreed to continue checking and vetting, and we are not ready to make our recommendations to the congregation.

• That educational and action opportunities take place over the next 12 months to raise money & awareness within the Pisgah congregation and the larger Central Kentucky community.

Ideas that were shared were:

•  5th Sunday role and after church learning opportunity
• Potential influential or dignitary level speakers
• Individual day of fasting before Thanksgiving
• Social Media Fundraising Campaign
• Learning how the PCUSA may be involved
•  A spring 5K run/walk in the beauty of our Pisgah community.
•  Tie in with the youth groups 30 hour famine
•  January/February or later Pisgah Academy Day
•  Community Ambassador Program

On Sunday, October 30th, two events took place- The 5th Sunday offering, and an after-church lunch meeting with three Somali refugees. These 3 young men are building a United Somalia Youth Association of Louisville to help create greater understanding and unification for Somalis living in Kentucky (and eventually other states) with the ultimate goal being to help unite the diverse challenges in their native homeland. Joining us in the Sunday worship and for the after-church discussion were Mukhtar Ahmed, Noor Yussuf and Mohamed Nur. Mohamed gave a brief description of their work to the entire congregation as part of our 5th Sunday announcement.
After the service, we learned of their travels and their struggles from Somalia to Kenyan refugee camps to Louisville, Kentucky. Noor Yussuf was born, raised and educated in a Somali refugee camp in Kenya before coming to the US.
We also gained very personal insights into the complex issues that give rise to the current crises and environment. Our guests were very grateful that we cared about Somalia, noting that for over twenty years the whole world seems to have ignored their homeland. Our guests were candid about the failings of the Somalia Transitional Government [that has been the “government” for the past 21 years], as well as the difficulty of overcoming tribal discrimination and conflict. Our guests were very clear – the problems of Somalia are “man-made.” All three came from an agricultural background and they were clear that Somalia was a fertile and productive land with natural resources, needing a functioning government and educational opportunities.
The issues facing Somalia are complex and solutions will not be easy. It will take time, cooperative work of many and, most of all, a willing spirit. Children are dying, families are being ripped apart and inhumane acts are being carried out daily. We are Christians!! We cannot sit idly by, while humans continue to die from famine and war.
Thank you for being part of this work so far. Please join us or stay with us. We need all of Pisgah to help with this extremely difficult crisis.
The committees scheduled its next meeting for Sunday, November 13th to discuss final details of the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend Sunday, November 27th Ambassador Meeting, where we will have several invited guests to help Pisgah understand the issues better and learn how we can be more effective in our call to support.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, we encourage you to consider adding a day of fasting to your week. Most of us do not know what it means to be hungry.
We invite everyone to be a part of our “Pisgah and Somalia” campaign, by gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of what our brothers and sisters are going through, and by supporting those who are trying to affect change.
Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all creation.”
Mark 16:20 “And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.”
The Mission and Evangelism Committee helps Pisgah Church members go into the community to proclaim the good news and to meet the needs of our neighbors and to help our neighbors “find” Pisgah Church.
The Mission and Evangelism Committee have a number of other plans and projects – such as the M & M work for Woodford County youth and the Pisgah Victory Garden. Please join us at our committee meeting, normally held after church on the first Sunday of each month.

Peace to you all,
Joe Johnson & Hank Graddy