During the month of December, we engaged in the advent season; a spiritual pause. A sojourn of dwelling in expectation. A lingering in the between. Between our yearning for redemption and hope’s completion birthed in Christ. Hope, as the first candle of the season ushered in the representation of desolation felt by those in darkness and their longing for redemption. Within the meaning of redemption – we find synonymous words of recovery, restoration, and revitalization. Longings of the human heart, a yearning for more than what is.
“Across the world, vulnerable communities are battered by man-made and natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, drought and war.”1 Those living through these events become sojourners – lingering in the between, in the transition space of ‘before’ and redemption. Paused between their desires and the completion of renewal. A people yearning for all that is found in redemption: recovery from disaster, restoration of their land and homes, revitalization of strength from food to eat.
Caroline Cobb urges us in our advent sojourn to “Imagine God’s people in exile, full of sorrow and yet waiting with hope, praying and longing for the dawn to pierce through all the dark. Would you let the ache of your own exile, the dark shroud of your helplessness and sin, make Jesus’ first advent, and his promised final advent all the more glorious to you? Hold firm to your hope. Lift high the radiant light of the gospel. Watch in earnest for the sunrise breaking through and sing for joy at the sight of it!”2
As we consider the hope to which we can firmly hold … to the radiant light we need to lift high, we ponder not only Jesus’ advent to us but also to those who are suffering. As The Alliance Canada steps into those spaces, “we are God’s agents of light amidst darkness, hope amidst despair, and healing amidst brokenness.”3
The book of Isaiah resounds with his portrayal of the Messiah - and the prophecy of light, hope, and healing found in Him. As followers of the Word, Isaiah invites us into a heartfelt living of this message:
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the chains of injustice,
to untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -
when you see the naked, to clothe them4…
if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted5...
You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.6
Throughout 2025, we have seen the bonds of injustice and the yoke of oppression; those who are hungry; those who are without home and clothing. And yet, collectively, we have stood together to loosen the yoke of suffering, to provide shelter to the poor wanderers - and we have poured ourselves out for the hungry, to satisfy the desires of the afflicted. Through your generosity to the Global Emergency Relief Fund and the Food Aid fund, we have stood alongside the global church to bring light, hope, and healing:
Myanmar7
A devastating earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025. Thousands of lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed, and communities are left struggling to rebuild in the face of unimaginable hardship. In partnership with local leaders and members of the local Alliance churches, we committed to delivering both immediate relief and long-term recovery support: food, bottled water, medical assistance, distribution of household items, provision of mosquito nets, and the rebuilding of homes. Your generous giving and faithful prayers are making a lasting impact in the lives of families who have lost so much ... May every home built reflect the love, hope, and presence of Christ.
West Africa8
“According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), nearly 9 million people in West Africa are facing escalating humanitarian needs after being displaced by violence, insecurity, and extreme weather events.”9 Earlier this year, a Christian village in West Africa was devastated by a violent rebel attack. Homes were burned to the ground. Churches were desecrated. Families lost everything except their lives and their faith. Together, we stood with our brothers and sisters in solidarity and hope to provide shelter, food, clothing, seeds, roofing materials, and more – essentials to help the community begin again.
SE Asia10
A number of tropical storms and cyclones caused heavy rains and flooding throughout many parts of Southeast Asia during the summer of 2025. Flooding reached disaster levels in parts of a certain country in July. Many families experienced great loss. Official reports list 1065 families affected, with nearly 4700 acres of rice fields lost and 81 homes destroyed. There was also extensive damage to roads, bridges, rice storage huts, schools, and water and electricity systems. In response to the disaster, the government put out a formal invitation for organizations throughout the country to join in to help the flood victims - with a personalized written request to the Evangelical Church. Our Woven team contributed funds to supply affected families with rice, drinking water, clothing, basic household items, and roofing materials. The local church was eager to show compassion with these supplies and, in a context where people are wary of outside religions, the church stood with one heart alongside those in need, showing them that God’s love is an invitation for all people.
Ukraine11
Over the past almost four years, The Alliance Canada has provided aid and relief to Ukrainian refugees and supplying convoys into Ukraine – distributing food, candles, generators and clothes to those suffering the ravages of war. According to official data, there are currently approximately 1.5 million people from Ukraine in Poland, including around 1 million with official long-term refugee status. Most of them are integrating relatively well — they work, earn a living, and their children attend school. However, there are groups with limited opportunities to earn income who require support: the elderly, single mothers, those who are disabled or have injuries sustained during the war, and new or seasonal refugees.
We have come alongside Alliance churches and mission organizations in Poland and Ukraine to assist these groups. From January to September 2025, one partner distributed over 161 tons of food, reaching nearly 30,000 Ukrainian families. We remain committed to our partnerships and providing assistance for both practical needs and spiritual support to those suffering trauma and displacement.
Middle East12
Through your donations to the Food Aid account and in partnership with the
Canadian Food Grains Bank, The Alliance Canada is supporting a project where, due to ongoing internal conflict, waves of displacement have created food insecurity. Over a period of eight months this year, we partnered with a humanitarian aid organization to provide food aid kits to 950 families living in Internally Displaced People camps. One mother spoke of her gratitude for the food baskets, saying “Life inside our tent has changed. Life returned to my children’s faces when they saw the flour, oil, sugar, beans, and salt. These baskets renewed my strength, and they have restored my dignity.”
Thailand13
Following a week of relentless rain in late November, severe flooding impacted more than 127,000 households across Southern Thailand. As waters began to recede, families faced the overwhelming challenge of recovery and rebuilding their lives. Our Woven team partnered with local churches to serve their communities and a central distribution point was set up early on to coordinate food and water supplies. As recovery continued, the most urgent needs shifted toward cleanup and health protection. In response, we have delivered cleaning detergents and supplies, basic medications (such as antiseptics and paracetamol), masks, gloves, mattresses, pillows, and blankets. Many families have lost everything, yet there is also an opportunity for them to gain eternal hope through Jesus as believers faithfully meet both immediate physical needs and deeper spiritual needs.
~~~
As 2025 comes to an end and we look to 2026, we want to thank you again for your continued support of the Global Emergency Relief Fund and the Food Aid fund. Because of your generosity, we are ready to help immediately - to step into both short-term crises and long-term needs, especially among the poor and vulnerable, and to bring light and hope in the face of darkness and despair.
O Light of the World,
may Your hope, healing and light shine forth
as we become Repairers of Broken Walls;
that Your glory would be known among the nations.
__________________
1Rev. Dr. Damien Siew Hing Lee, article titled “Three New Strategies for Engaging in Jesus’ Mission,” November 3, 2025.
2Caroline Cobb, Advent for Exiles, B&H Publishing Group, 2024.
3Rev. Dr. Damien Siew Hing Lee, Three New Strategies
4Isaiah 58:6-7 Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
5Isaiah 58:10a. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
6Isaiah 58:12. Holy Bible, New International Version®
7https://thealliancecanada.ca/updates/global-emergency-response-in-myanmar
https://thealliancecanada.ca/updates/myanmar-earthquake-disaster-recovery-project-update
8https://thealliancecanada.ca/updates/global-emergency-response-in-west-africa
9https://camaservices.org/project/aid-for-west-africas-displaced-people/
10Location undisclosed for security reasons. Update form IW letter.
11Update from worker and partner letters.
12Location undisclosed for security reasons.
13Update from worker letters.
https://thealliancecanada.ca/updates/global-emergency-response-in-thailand