Ministry to Venezuelan Immigrants in Santiago, Chile

Amount needed: $12,000 ($1,000/month for 12 months)

Click here to support this project!

Liisa and I are often overwhelmed as we see God’s plan unfolding in our lives. When we left Venezuela so many years ago, we thought that God would use our experience in that country to perhaps minister to Venezuelans in the US (many live in Florida). It never happened. Who could know that 13 years later, the Lord would move us to Santiago, Chile where we would be able to offer a welcome and helping hand to Venezuelans who are fleeing the country in droves?

One result of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is that record numbers of Venezuelans are immigrating to other countries. The best estimates say that at least 5 million people have left the country over the last few years. Chile is the third-most popular destination for Venezuelan immigrants (behind Colombia and Peru), with around 200,000 new arrivals per year. (Click here for an article about the Venezuelan immigration crisis.)

Our ministry to immigrants includes the following activities:

• Temporary housing for new arrivals
• Collection and distribution of household items such as appliances, beds, pots and pans, etc.
• Winter clothing
• Orientation to Chile
• Adaptation skills taught via regular workshops
• Bible teaching
• Worship
• Fellowship events
• Assistance in finding work
• Help with the visa process

 

All of this requires an infrastructure: extra rooms for housing; food and utilities; transportation costs; a part-time assistant; and so forth.

 

Click here to help support this ministry to Venezuelan immigrants!