Venezuela: Adventists reach out to share food and hope

Seventh-day Adventists took to the streets of Barquisimeto, in West Venezuela to distribute Bibles and books and during the church’s Day of Kindness and Compassion, Oct 11, 2014. Images by David Buenaño/IAD

November 2, 2014 | Barquisimeto, Venezuela | David Buenaño/IAD Staff

Dozens of needy families from several communities in the city of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, benefited from a special program and dinner thanks to Seventh-day Adventists who donated a meal earlier last month. The activity was part of a church initiative to offer a day of kindness and compassion together with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in West Venezuela to those in need throughout the region especially in October.

Top local church leaders joined church members to spread messages of hope with large banners on the main streets of the Cuji Community. They distributed Bibles and evangelistic books.

Hundreds gathered to pray for the needy family and for those suffering from the Ebola virus in West Africa.

At the main public plaza Pastor Fernando Toala, personal ministries director for the church in West Venezuela, challenged church members to commit seeking out those who don’t know Jesus.

“This is not the time to feel comfortable in our churches, it is a moment when we go out into the streets to look for the lost sheep and offer physical and spiritual bread to those who really need it,” challenged Toala.

More than 150 church members distributed some 430 boxed lunches to those at the plaza and to neighboring communities.

Some 430 boxed dinners were given out in several communities in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, during the activity.

Church leaders took time to pray for the families and also paused to join the Adventist church worldwide in praying for those suffering from the Ebola virus.

To view photos of the event in West Venezuela, click Here