Cyclone Nargis – Pastors and Evangelists on Frontline
You will have been as shocked as we have by the horrendous news reports coming out of Burma following Cyclone Nargis. An AsiaLink Director, was there just before the cyclone hit and met some of those now suffering.
Pele, a middle-aged Burmese tribal woman and fervent evangelist was hosting children's meetings in her home. About thirty kids had gathered and she was passionately sharing the Good News with each of them. She was the only Christian in her town of 12,000 people - and this was just one of countless villages we had driven past that day.
Her home was a shack of bamboo and leaves and bits of wood. It was cobbled together and I remember looking up at the gaping holes in her roof. We commented on how the rains would be arriving soon and how those holes would need patching up. None of us knew what lay just around the corner. We had no idea that just ten days later Burma would be devastated.
Pele's village was one of thousands right in the path of Cyclone Nargis and I don't know what happened to her. What I do know is that if Pele did survive, she will be out there sharing and demonstrating Jesus' love among her fellow villagers.
I believe we have a unique opportunity to bring relief directly to the most needy through indigenous workers like Pele. I know that any help you can give will be most gratefully received.
From inside Burma
We have very little information, but a phone message from one of our leaders reported, "My greatest concern is for four of our church planters who are in the Irrawaddy region which has already been flooded for the past two years and where we know many have lost their lives. Part of our training centre was damaged with lots of houses in the neighbourhood flattened to the ground."
Burma is a difficult country for foreigners to access as we are hearing on the news. AsiaLink has been helping to train and support Burmese evangelists for over five years now. We believe they are best placed to help those living in the storm-hit region and make the necessary strategic decisions.
Mr. Vunga, our national leader, tells us they can provide local people with basic needs such as rice, lentils, candles and blankets. Our immediate goal is to channel funds to local pastors and evangelists to enable this. Looking ahead, we know there will be a need to rebuild the simple church buildings and maybe support families of our workers who have lost loved ones. In the meantime, please pray for the churches and Christians in Burma, that they would be a shining light to the nation. Pray for some of the Christians who have lost loved ones...that in their sorrow, they will experience and be able to share His comfort.
If you would like to respond to the current crisis in Burma, you can give online on our Give Now page or by cheque to ‘AsiaLink’ and send it to our address below. Please add the note. ‘Burma Response’
Thank you so much.
The AsiaLink Team.
AsiaLink, The Old Barn, Mill Farm, Fleetwood Rd, Wesham, PR4 3HD
COUNTRY PROFILE
