Caracas, Venezuela, December 12, 1999

Dear friends,

Peace and love from Venezuela. As you may have read in the press or watched on TV, here in Caracas we are going through the worst catastrophe in recent memory. Heavy rains for the last several days have produced floods and landslides of incredible magnitude. At this moment some 500 persons have been found dead and thousands others are missing and many more are displaced and without home.

Our resources are not sufficient to take care of so many needs. We need medicine, blankets, and canned food and construction materials. If we could have the money, we could purchase some of these things here as supplies last.

The people of The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief are in constant communication with us for which we are most grateful. The help should be directed to: The PBFWR, The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Telephone 800 334 7626.

Thank you for your prayers and help. Our people are helping others and the diocesan center is a busy place of pastoral care, food distribution and communication. I gave a short talk on national TV this morning, assuring the people of Venezuela of our solidarity and commitment at this time of crisis.

I am asking my friend and predecessor Bishop Onell Soto to convey this letter to all of you. The misery and pain that I have seen in the last few days in beyond description. May God bless you and your people.

Cordially yours in Christ,

Orlando Guerrero
Anglican Bishop of Venezuela
Apartado 49-143, Ave. Caroni 100
Colinas de Bello Monte
Caracas 1042-A, Venezuela