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Food—For the Soul and the Body The entire landscape of the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar (Burma) was drastically altered during the devastating cyclone that hit that area on May 3, 2008. We at Bibles International (BI) watched in anguish, as did many of you, at reports of horrible destruction hitting this area of the world. But for some of us there was an added dimension. You see, we have friends living there. One of those friends sent us the following report. Over the years, BI has developed working relationships with 8-10 different language groups there. These have been mutually satisfying relationships. BI staff share their technical expertise with the Burmese nationals. In turn, our personnel are impacted by the godliness and dedication of the Burmese people. Working together, they share a common goal—to get spiritual food to as many people as possible, provided by God’s Word in the mother tongues of the Burmese people. Even now, we have six teams working toward this common goal—translating God’s Word as accurately as possible in as brief a time as possible so that the maximum number of people might be exposed to that life-changing Word. While that is still our major focus, the events of May 3 have had a direct impact on our work, as well as that of the Burmese nationals. On that day and subsequent days, as many as 100,000 people went out into eternity as a result of Cyclone Nargis. Only the Lord knows how many of those people were believers. Now, as well as trying to get food to the souls of men, we are also involved in attempting to get food to their bodies. For most of us in North America, the devastating effects of that cyclone have only been viewed by means of our TVs. But for those living through this catastrophe, their losses are very real. Recently one of our Asian associates was able to enter Burma with limited financial relief from the Baptist Mid-Missions World Relief Fund. Having spent about eight days there, he sent us the following report: “You can’t imagine the physical, mental and psychological condition of the people who survived. Most of the houses were totally damaged. In some places along the river, the only sign [of previous houses] was the raised part where the building stood (most constructed out of bamboo), or a few bamboos standing. There were still the dead bodies of many animals and 3 to 4 men by the side of the river caught in a thicket. The stench was awful. It was very difficult to eat the next day….” Church buildings have been destroyed with nothing but foundations and rubble left where they once stood. Believers and unbelievers alike have lost their homes. Most have only the clothes on their backs. This is an opportunity for Christians around the world to share the love of Christ to those who know Him and to those who are still in darkness. Immediate needs are: • Food • Water • Clothing • Medication • Shelter Long-term needs: • Building and repairing damaged houses and churches • Well-drilling and water storage solutions to provide clean drinking water on an ongoing basis • Training national pastors in grief counseling • Training Bible School students in visitation, evangelization and church planting in traumatized regions • Training village health care personnel • Giving visiting professional “outsiders” opportunities to teach grief counseling, health care and other courses in national Bible schools Being convinced that the time is right for the body of Christ to reach out to hurting members, BI is receiving gifts to be used in relief efforts. They will be entrusted to a coalition of credible fundamental pastors representing various language groups within Myanmar. We hope to include Scripture portions with the gifts as they are distributed. If the Lord should lay it on your heart to be involved, you may send your tax deductible gift to Bibles International designated for “Myanmar assistance.” “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). |
