Meanwhile in Venezuela...

[Dave62]

As horrific as the news from England and other places is right now, Venezuela keeps dropping under the radar. Does anyone here know how the LDS are coping, how are missionaries coping, is there any avenue for us to help?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40012642

[Silver]

One of your questions is sort of answered here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=42164&hilit=Venezuela

[David13]

How much can you do in view of the fact that the totalitarian government does not want anyone spoiling their socialist utopian agenda for their society?
dc

[gclayjr]

SIlver,

I believe you have been doing yeoman's job of both trying to find out what the Church is doing, and trying to find out a way we can help. Unfortunatly, as I remember, what you have reported is not good.

Charity is being blocked by the government, and there are not reliable paths for charity.

The church is helping Venezuelans to be as self sufficient as possible in growing gardens and raising chickens etc.

But otherwise, at this time, the opportunities to help are limited.

Silver, please feel free to correct me, if I got it wrong.

Regards,

George Clay

[Elizabeth]

[Ezra]

I wonder if property in Venezuela is cheap right now??

[Silver]

SIlver,

I believe you have been doing yeoman's job of both trying to find out what the Church is doing, and trying to find out a way we can help. Unfortunatly, as I remember, what you have reported is not good.

Charity is being blocked by the government, and there are not reliable paths for charity.

The church is helping Venezuelans to be as self sufficient as possible in growing gardens and raising chickens etc.

But otherwise, at this time, the opportunities to help are limited.

Silver, please feel free to correct me, if I got it wrong.

Regards,

George Clay

George,
That's right. The only recommendation I have is to donate to the Church's Humanitarian Fund knowing the cash will be used if/when the opportunity presents itself. I'm open to other possibilities, if anyone hears of something.

[Silver]

"Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in response to catastrophic food shortages. Homicide rates in Caracas are now higher than any other city in the world.
This once wealthy and prosperous nation has been completely decimated by socialism and the meddling of Castro's Cuba.
The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is the go-to authority in America for everything related to the history of communism and its ugly 21st century collectivist legacy.
Help VOC hold the front lines and continue to be the leading organisation naming and opposing communism and socialism—the cause of so much unnecessary human suffering.
In addition to calling out and correcting media bias, your donation to VOC will allow us to:
Record eyewitness testimonies of those who suffered under communism.
Ensure that our children and grandchildren learn about communism's atrocities.
Honor our heroes who risked everything to stand up to communism.
Preserve a proper accounting of the crimes of communist regimes."

Marion Smith
Executive Director
Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

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[sajor]

I am a member of the Church here in Venezuela. The country’s embattled government has tried to assert a more authoritarian streak and tens of thousands of protesters have clashed with police.

Venezuela’s political crisis is exacerbated by a twin tornado of economic and security problems. Venezuela, with its nonsensical system of currency controls, is by far the most dysfunctional economy in Latin America. Inflation is expected to top 1600% this year. Venezuela is today a democracy in name only. The reality is a government that behaves like a dictatorship, squelching discontent and amassing powers within the executive.

We don't have missionaries from USA since 2005 and in 2014 due to the unrest in Venezuela, the Church send 152 missionaries who are not Venezuelan citizens to other missions in South America.

Even BYU Idaho Pathway is no available for Venezuela. We are really alone.

[Silver]

I am a member of the Church here in Venezuela. The country’s embattled government has tried to assert a more authoritarian streak and tens of thousands of protesters have clashed with police.

Venezuela’s political crisis is exacerbated by a twin tornado of economic and security problems. Venezuela, with its nonsensical system of currency controls, is by far the most dysfunctional economy in Latin America. Inflation is expected to top 1600% this year. Venezuela is today a democracy in name only. The reality is a government that behaves like a dictatorship, squelching discontent and amassing powers within the executive.

We don't have missionaries from USA since 2005 and in 2014 due to the unrest in Venezuela, the Church send 152 missionaries who are not Venezuelan citizens to other missions in South America.

Even BYU Idaho Pathway is no available for Venezuela. We are really alone.

What can members in North America do to help you and other Saints in Venezuela? Can you cross the border into Colombia, for example?

[Ezra]

I am a member of the Church here in Venezuela. The country’s embattled government has tried to assert a more authoritarian streak and tens of thousands of protesters have clashed with police.

Venezuela’s political crisis is exacerbated by a twin tornado of economic and security problems. Venezuela, with its nonsensical system of currency controls, is by far the most dysfunctional economy in Latin America. Inflation is expected to top 1600% this year. Venezuela is today a democracy in name only. The reality is a government that behaves like a dictatorship, squelching discontent and amassing powers within the executive.

We don't have missionaries from USA since 2005 and in 2014 due to the unrest in Venezuela, the Church send 152 missionaries who are not Venezuelan citizens to other missions in South America.

Even BYU Idaho Pathway is no available for Venezuela. We are really alone.

How's property prices? Is it a good time to buy?

[gclayjr]

Ezra,

How's property prices? Is it a good time to buy?

You do know this IS a socialist country right? You do know that part of Venezuela's problem is that the government is always seizing private property, right?

While part of me admires you for looking for a chance to make a profit here

I must admit that looking for an opportunity to make a profit on their misery as others are looking for an opportunity to help them out of their misery is not the best way to convince them that capitalists are really good guys.

Regards,

George Clay

[Ezra]

Ezra,

How's property prices? Is it a good time to buy?

You do know this IS a socialist country right? You do know that part of Venezuela's problem is that the government is always seizing private property, right?

While part of me admires you for looking for a chance to make a profit here

I must admit that looking for an opportunity to make a profit on their misery as others are looking for an opportunity to help them out of their misery is not the best way to convince them that capitalists are really good guys.

Regards,

George Clay

I was more thinking of a summer beach house. I enjoy ocean fishing. I've also been looking on the big island of Hawaii. I have a friend who is from tonga and from her description it also interest me.

People flee from Mexico but land and living expenses are cheap. Many Americans are retiring there. But I think the big island is calling the loudest to me.

[Elizabeth]

Yes it is a beautiful Island and certainly safer.

But I think the big island is calling the loudest to me.