This Autumn, we launched the resources for the Baptist Union of Wales’ new appeal: Talents of Hope!
The name is based on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, where Jesus talks in parable form about our responsibility to steward the ‘talents’ (resources) we have been given by God, to sow them and multiply what we have for the good of others and to the glory of God.
This year, we have the opportunity to sow into critical work in Zimbabwe, through a partnership with Christian Aid, who are working on the ground alongside local organisations and projects.
These are the words of Rev. Judith Morris, General Secretary of BUW:
‘It was with much anticipation that the Christian Aid Baptist Union of Wales Appeal was launched at our annual meetings this year. Our partnership as two movements goes back many years and we have worked well together raising much needed funds for some of the world’s poorest people.
The focus for our appeal is Zimbabwe and our hope is that we will be able to help build resilience within communities through training and support. Zimbabwe has been an independent country since 1965 but has faced many challenges including periods of low economic growth, hyperinflation along with high levels of unemployment and the effects of climate change. Although the economy improved slightly when an unity government was formed in 2008 it continues to be one of the poorest countries in the world.
Christian Aid has worked in partnership in Zimbabwe with the BRACT project (Building Resilience through improving the Absorptive and Adaptive Capacity for Transformation of at-risk communities) which has helped people to develop skills in different farming techniques and in new areas so as to ensure reliable sources of income.’
This project has already a great impact on families and communities (have a look here to find some of the stories)
The appeal is also supporting the Ntengwe project, which supports women in the Hwange area in Zimbabwe to be pillars in their communities in terms of business, agriculture, and more.
We are so glad to be able to support this important work, and we are excited to see the response of churches, groups and individuals to the appeal.
We pray every blessing on the appeal this year, and on the communities in Zimbabwe which will be so impacted by this work.
Resources for churches, groups and individuals are to be found here.
To find out how to give / fundraise towards the appeal, visit: Giving and Fundraising – The Baptist Union of Wales (buw.wales)