Bonnie and I are serving as Humanitarian Service Missionaries. The second week of our training in the MTC focused on the specific duties we'll have in this area. We basically function as the outreach agents of LDS Charities, the humanitarian service arm of the Church. The aims of our service focus on reaching out to those who struggle, to provide assistance regardless of their religion, race, or nationality. In fact, the efforts explicitly focus primarily on those who are
not members of our Church.
The "Latter-Day Saints Charities" organization was created over 30 years ago to facilitate this mission. We have been thrilled to come to better understand their mission; it corresponds so much with our own desire to help those in need, since we recognize how richly blessed our lives are.
This description of that mission is beautiful:
This work is accomplished worldwide through a number of "major initiatives" that include areas such as:
- clean water
- food production & nutrition
- immunizations
- maternal and newborn care
- vision care
- wheelchairs
- emergency response
- refugee aid
In addition, we will be developing "area initiatives" in our country to focus on more localized projects and needs, as priorities are determined by local leaders.
In almost all cases, we partner with other local and international relief organizations, NGOs, charitable groups, etc. to accomplish these projects. We expect to get to know many wonderful people from all kinds of backgrounds as we share in this important service.
It is work like this that puts me at ease when I donate in fast and "other" funds.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! You'll be speaking perfect Spanish in no time with your background in Portugese
ReplyDeleteI've had a small taste of doing this in my own area in California and have been able to draw on the funds and resources of the church Humanitarian department. It's been rewarding and humbling to work with those resources. I'd love to be doing what you will be doing!
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