Compassion in the face of tragedy
The Baptcare Emergency Bushfire Appeal (run in partnership with the Baptist Union of Victoria) has just closed. Hundreds of lives were lost in the fires, they caused untold grief and homes, farms, livestock, and community infrastructure were destroyed.
The Bushfire Appeal was our response to this disaster. Baptcare is not an emergency relief organisation; we work in partnership with people through their life journey to help them live richer lives. But we could not stand by in the face of this calamity. We sought to mobilise our resources and to work with the churches of the Baptist Union of Victoria to support people and communities in their grief and loss.
Over one million dollars were donated to Baptcare for this appeal in a little over six weeks. This is a magnificent response.
One of Jesus’ parables which informs Baptcare’s practice is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). In it, Jesus paints a vision of living that is motivated by compassion, which overcomes human barriers where relationships are not limited by issues of cost.
The response to this appeal has helped make this vision a reality. The speed with which the donations were given and the size of some of the individual donations is inspiring. The barrier of geography was also overcome; much of giving came from individuals and Baptist churches outside Victoria, some even from Europe and North America. We continue to deliver short term relief and longer term solutions to individuals and communities struck down by the fires.
This disaster showed us the very worst of the physical environment. It showed us the destructive power of the natural world. However, it also showed us the best of human nature. It showed us the capacity of the human spirit to care. It showed us that the flame of compassion and generosity burns brighter than any inferno.
Thank you for your support of the Appeal.
Kind regards,
Jeff Davey
Chief Executive
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