MY SISTER AND MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

On the other side of the earth, Indonesia's landscapes have heart

wrenching reminders of the tsunami that devastated the area 17 months ago when a magnitude 9.0 earthquake unleashed it’s fury on dozens of nations, leaving over 200,000 dead and millions of lives changed forever in its wake. The response to this massive disaster is what the United Nations has called the "world's biggest-ever relief operation." Here in Cape Girardeau over one hundred women will mobilize March 15th to reach out to their sisters and brothers not only in Indonesia but any where in the world where there are disaster victims.

The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, organized in 1842 for women to give relief to the suffering,

will bring women from nine regional congregations to produce

humanitarian kits to be deliver throughout the world. The women, led by their area President Taffy McMullin, have been making wall hangings and fabric school supply bags, sewing infant clothing and receiving blankets, and gathering hygiene, newborn items and school supplies for a number of weeks. These supplies will be assembled and sent to The Church’s Humanitarian Aid Headquarters in Salt Lake City to be distributed to disaster sites with the highest need.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has continued

serving in Indonesia since the disaster many months ago. After offering emergency response, LDS Humanitarian Services began working with community based organizations to provide longer-term aid and development. Today, the Church continues to partner with major humanitarian organizations. Working with Islamic Relief Worldwide, the International Organization for Migration, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and International Relief and Development, the Church is constructing homes, schools, health clinics and water and sanitation systems in Indonesia.

http://www.lds.org/humanitarianservices/0,19749,6208,00.html

President and prophet of The Church Gordon B. Hinckley stated, “All

about us there are many who are in need of help and who are deserving of rescue. Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving. There are the homeless, the hungry, the destitute.” (Ensign, Nov. 1991, 59) Heeding this call to give aid, the women attending this free event will also learn how to prepare themselves and their families for when disaster strikes their home and neighborhood.

This event will be held March 15th starting at 10 am, at the Church located at 1048 W. Cape Rock Drive in Cape. Anyone desiring to participate in this training and service opportunity may contact Taffy McMullin at 573.334.6178.