Finally some good news!

From the time the first positive case of covid-19 was reported in Trinidad and Tobago, ITNAC sprung into action. Realizing the implications for the most vulnerable in our society, we knew that one of the most pressing needs would be for food items. Before we even started collecting, we mobilized our youths to clear a space at our St. James base which would serve as a food pantry. Any donations we collected would be stored here, and when the requests came in, it would be easy to distribute from this location. On March 16th we got our first contribution towards groceries - $500, by the next day we were up to $2000. These initial contributions came from our members and our regular donors who know that we are always in direct contact with those most in need.

Loading up supplies to drop off to a family of 13
from South Trinidad

As the days went by, the requests started pouring in: single parents who worked in bars and were sent home without a pay cheque; families where the sole bread winner was now unemployed and whose cupboards were now bare; persons who had not eaten anything for two days; people who got ill after taking vital medication on an empty stomach, simply because they had nothing in their house to eat. People who contacted us told us that they had reached out to other organizations for help, but they were denied because they didn't have any funding. Thankfully our organization meets needs based on faith rather than funding. As quickly as donations came in, we started distributing to meet these requests.

Offloading supplies from one of our donors

Due to the restrictions placed on mass gatherings, we could not have events like we usually do to raise funds or awareness to meet our needs, so we had to depend on our members to get the word around. Some persons gave financially, others provided cooked meals including freshly baked bread. Even members who were in self quarantine due to recent international travel mobilized resources to help meet the needs. Some donors came through the rain to drop off supplies. God saw in advance that we would need someone stationed at our base in St. James to serve as Operations Manager during this unexpected time of receiving and distributing donations, so he put persons in place to do this. Our youths have been very active doing deliveries, sometimes travelling from Trincity to Maraval to Freeport in one day. Our elderly members, over 70 years, also contributed to the store house.

Bulk items which would be parcelled out to make
hampers to distribute to families in need

One person who herself is needy felt that God spoke to her and told her to give towards ITNAC’s food drive. She said that in spite of her being in need of things, it may not be much, but she was sure that a family can benefit from it. She felt that some persons are so consumed about themselves that they don’t take a thought for others. She was convinced that it was the times when we are in need, that we should give those very things we are in need of. The team member who collected this donation was speechless – she accepted it as she did not want to stop them from receiving their blessing for their sacrificial giving.

This donation reminded me of the widow's mite - she gave
out of the little she had

Late one evening we got a request for help from someone who was self employed as a nail technician and had not been working for the past two weeks, but the request was not for herself. She noticed that in the property next door, there were 15 migrants huddled in the yard with nothing to eat. She didn't think about herself first, but about the disadvantage they had in having no source of income and no government to look to for help. Their faces lit up when our team arrived with supplies and they came outside looking a bit shocked. A short while after the team left, the lady who made the request said she smelled food cooking next door. She was very appreciative and impressed by the urgency of our response, and the migrants were very grateful for the food.

Sumptuous meal provided by one of our
boss chefs

The migrant community is one of the hardest hit by the stay at home orders. Many of them were employed in business places such as bars, clubs and restaurants, and do not qualify for any of the relief grants being offered to nationals. One father who we blessed told us, "I have a month without work and it hurts me because last week I had no way to buy diapers and the baby slept without diapers... I have to pay rent and market because at home is my mother and sister-in-law and my wife who depends on me and it hurts me not being able to give her what they need" Apart from ITNAC, a group of God's people from south Trinidad have given willingly of their resources to help provide relief for this community of people who God loves.

Grateful for this tangible demonstration of the love of God

In addition to delivering groceries and cooked food, our team members are also granted the opportunity to deliver hope. They share their testimonies with recipients, encourage them with the Word of God, and share the Good News of the gospel. We are able to use this avenue to show persons how this pandemic is an opportunity for God to refocus our attention on Him. Team members praise God for all the smiles and lighted faces He allows us to witness. In one day in spite of making over 40 deliveries, they reported, “Seeing those smiles are priceless… definitely worth it”

Delivering help and hope!

One young lady contacted us asking for help in procuring some very costly medication that she needed for her asthmatic condition. Before we were able to do so, however, she got very sick, having problems to breathe, so we rushed her to the hospital where she was nebulized. One of our team members who is a pharmacist was able to give her some sample medication that she had which was expiring at the end of next month, and this would have lasted her for 2 weeks. The team member shared the story with one of her colleagues, and the colleague said that she was on the same medication, and that she had extra that she could give to her, so now the young lady is able to get a 2 month supply! The young lady started to cry when we told her we were bringing the medication for her and she didn't have to pay anything. She said, "I am blown away 😥😢 that people still do what you guys do....  I am forever grateful."

God provides in our time of need!

This pandemic, in some ways, is an answer to prayer. Many persons have been wanting to spend more time with their families and deepen their relationship with God, but they never seemed to find the time. One of my friends shared, "I am not fearful of the future... I’m trying to have devotions and pray more during the day... to connect with God and trying to figure out what He wants to talk to me about, what I have to change within myself and have a better relationship with Him." A 91 year old prayer warrior who can no longer go out to church declares, "I am not alone - I have company: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We have become greater companions. Every day I say, 'Father, you have to tell me you have to show me'" She wants to use this time at home to read the entire Bible again from beginning to end.

Look how happy my nephew is that his
Daddy is working from home!

Regionally, InterVarsity USA held a virtual large group meeting to give people a much needed experience of fellowship and God's presence. Through the event, two people made first-time decisions to follow Christ, more than 50 viewers recommitted their lives to Jesus! Several students shared that their school had no InterVarsity ministry and wanted to get connected, and nearly 570 responded to a call to consecrate themselves and pray for revival.

Speaker at the virtual large group meeting

Internationally, an atheist doctor in Italy who interacted with a pastor who was infected by covid 19 shared how he came to realize his worthlessness on this earth, and how he wanted to use his last breath to help others. He shared how he returned to God while being surrounded by the suffering and death of his fellow men. In Spain a church planter has set up a speaker in his attic and shares a message of hope to the 100+ residents in neighbouring apartment buildings every evening. People who had no inclination towards God before are now open to hearing messages about His love: revival has begun!

Proclaiming the Good News from rooftops in Spain

May we make the most of every opportunity provided by this pandemic to expand the kingdom of heaven as we live out our faith as defined by James 2:14-17:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

P.S. If anyone would like to make a donation to the work of Is There Not A Cause to enable us to continue being God's hands and feet to those in need, our account numbers are:
First Citizens bank #1660410
Republic bank #510009446801