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Gospel for Asia Reaches Cyclone Survivors
As the May 3 Myanmar cyclone death toll continues to climb, the Christian mission Gospel for Asia is one of the few organizations in a position to offer immediate help to survivors. "In a land where Christians are a small minority, we are now being asked to help," GFA President K.P. Yohannan said. "Where official government policy has banned relief work by non-governmental organizations, the police in Rangoon (Yangon) have come to our Bible college, openly seeking assistance." To help bring relief to the cyclone's survivors, give online. Gospel for Asia has over 400 churches in the impacted area and more than 500 native missionaries already on the ground in Myanmar (Burma), living among the people who now need so much help. They need no visas to enter the country and have a favorable reputation with the government. As after the 2004 tsunami, these missionaries are doing everything they can to bring physical relief for their neighbors, as well as the comforting message of Jesus' love. According to a U.S. government source, the latest estimate is that 100,000 people may have lost their lives during Cyclone Nargis, and 70,000 are still missing. There is mounting international pressure for the Myanmar government to allow foreign aid for its people, but so far outside aid workers have not been issued the necessary visas. Gospel for Asia's Bible college in Rangoon suffered heavy damage during the cyclone, yet it became a refuge for many in the community whose homes were completely destroyed. Police and even Buddhist monks came to the college for shelter, as well as 70 children from an orphanage that was destroyed. The immediate need is to supply fresh water, food and shelter to the desperate survivors. There is fear that more people could die from starvation and water-borne diseases than from the cyclone itself. To donate toward helping these missionaries bring relief, or to read more about GFA's ministry in the cyclone-struck areas, give online. 100% of your donation will go to the mission field to bring relief in Myanmar.  |
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