Myanmar Church Suffers, Requests Help
Cyclone Nargis’s path of destruction has caused untold suffering and damage to our Church of God congregations and families in the country of Myanmar (Burma). Media reports estimate the death toll at more than twenty-two thousand in what is considered to be the deadliest natural disaster to hit that country. The national leader of the Church of God there has requested immediate assistance. Church of God Ministries (www.chog.org), Children of Promise (www.echildrenofpromise.org), and the Women of the Church of God (www.womenofthechurchofgod.org) are all working in collaborative partnership to respond to the call, and we seek your help as well.
Children of Promise executive director Paul Maxfield spoke on Tuesday, May 6, with the national leader of the Church of God in Myanmar, based in Yangon, about the devastation wreaked by the cyclone. The conversation confirmed that many Church of God families have lost their homes and others are without fresh water or electricity. The shortage of food has risen to a critical state. Additionally, three church buildings lost their roofs due to the storm. The national leader also informed Maxfield that it is difficult to confirm the loss of life, personal injury, or total extent of the damages because the roads are impassible and most communication systems are down.
“It is so terrible. It is so bad. Please help us,” implored the impassioned national leader several times during the phone conversation.
The Church of God in Myanmar estimates an immediate need of $50,000 to purchase food and water and to make repairs to the churches and congregants’ homes. In response, Church of God Ministries (CGM), Children of Promise, and the Women of the Church of God are sending a combined total of $25,000 in immediate disaster relief and hunger relief funds to the church in Myanmar to help alleviate the suffering and provide funds for repairs. But more is needed.
The church in Myanmar struggles under an oppressive dictatorship, yet it continues to witness and reach the lost for Christ. Funds cannot be wired directly to church leaders there. Children of Promise has coordinated a means to securely deliver funds to church leaders in Myanmar via a courier.
More than two hundred children in Myanmar receive support through the sponsorship program facilitated by Children of Promise. Presently, the fate of these children and their families is unknown. Many people are asking what they can do to help. “Please pray for our churches and people in Myanmar as they recover from this terrible disaster,” said Rev. Obadiah Smith, coordinator for compassionate ministries at CGM. Smith added that individuals and congregations are encouraged to prayerfully consider making a donation through the Disaster Relief Fund to help the church in Myanmar.
If you would like to help Myanmar, you may make a special donation to the Children of Promise Emergency Fund, earmarked for Myanmar. You may do this by visiting our website at www.echildrenofpromise.org (select Sponsor/Support and then select Make a Contribution), or you may call the Children of Promise national office at 800-848-2464 ext. 2190, and make a contribution using your debit or credit card. All other donations should be mailed to Children of Promise, P. O. Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018.
Any funds received before May 13 will be disbursed to the Myanmar church leaders by courier in The Philippines.