9/8/08 Update

Out on the river delta where the cyclone hit hard there is a village that before the storm had about 400 people living in it with houses and a church, boats, paddies and oxen to work the paddies. After the storm there was one building left standing - the church where the people sheltered! Only about 250 people are left. By the grace of God they also have one boat left. For the first three days after the cyclone they lived on coconuts and drank coconut juice. They have been using the one boat to travel to the nearest town where they can buy water. The boat can carry three 20 litre bottles of water if they don't get anything else. Each day the boat makes the trip to bring back the water for the people. Each evening the pastor of the church carefully shares out the 60 litres of water between the 250 people. Seawater came up over their paddies and waterways so they cannot even boil the water around them for drinking. They have planted out rice in the paddies but who knows whether there will be a harvest because of the increase salinity of the soil.

• Please pray for the continued reconstruction. Remember those still struggling to get food and shelter.
• Pray for families who continue to mourn the loss of relatives, pray that God will find a way to minister his love.
• Pray for the daily Christian radio broadcasts, that they would share the hope of the gospel in ways that Buddhist peoples can understand.
• As world news has moved on to other troubles and disasters pray that God would continue to give you a heart to pray for the Bamar people of Myanmar (Burma)!

6/2/08 Update

Last week it was reported to the world that Burma (Myanmar) truly was going to open it's doors to foreign aid. This week the news brings more disappointment and frustration as things never seem to be as they appear at first sight.

Reports from the delta are horrific and still the authorities obstruct those wanting to help. Homeless victims are being told to leave their makeshift camps and "go home." Lines of cyclone victims along the roadside are being described by the government as giving the country a bad name!

A group just back from the delta report the following. "After several hours on small creeks we reached villages that after nearly three weeks had not received help yet. No proper food, no clean drinking water, some even without clothing. Their clothes had been taken by the flood waters. There were still bodies floating in the rivers. The smell of death was all over."

Locals with aid have been arrested and questioned by the police. A Christian woman had been out on the street with two bags of clothing. She was arrested and questioned and kept over night in the same place that in October many monks had been kept in. Down at the wharf the guys in grey were after people who wanted to bring aid to the delta or just came back from there. They would confiscate even boats or cars. An old law, by which locals in possession of dollars would be charged with up to 20 years in prison, seems to be used as a threat against people again.

The devastation is unimaginable, "9 pastors died in one district alone. 21 Karen Christian villages in the same area no longer exist!" reports one senior church leader.

• As Churches are reaching out to people with practical help, they are finding a huge need for the word of God. Pray that 5000 Burmese bibles can be sourced, purchased and distributed.
• Pray for access to the places that need help.
• Pray for the helpers, that as fresh teams go to the affected areas those who have been working for the past two weeks would get refreshment and counselling.

* * * *

The people of Burma (Myanmar) need your continued prayers! The situation in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis is still extremely serious.

The electricity and water situation in Yangon has improved. However, large areas in the Delta area, south west of Yangon have still not received any help. The military continue to restrict access to hardest hit areas. Aid workers are still being turned back at check points.

We don't want to draw attention to any specific activity, but there are people on the ground trying to help.

They need your prayers for stamina. There is a huge need for counselling both of victims and for people who have seen things that are disturbing.

Donated high energy biscuits and materials are being sold in the markets. People are angry!

• Pray for aid to get to where it is needed.
• Desperation and hunger are increasing the risk for those distributing help. Pray for their safety!
• Many Christians lived in the affected areas. Pray for your brothers and sisters!
• Pray that the church will have the freedom and the resources to demonstrate the love of Christ.
• Pray that out of their desperation and sense of helplessness, many will call out to Lord for help.

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