Cyclone Nargis Update

by Robert Meyer

BIMI Missionaries Tom and Jerilyn Kane, who minister in India and Myanmar, have written the following in their recent prayer letter.

Pastor Jacob and others have been able to communicate with us via e-mail and to our relief there have been no reports of deaths from any of our churches. Some members’ homes have been damaged and they have many needs, but praise the Lord, there were no deaths.

When the cyclone first hit Myanmar, I wanted to go immediately to help in any way I could. Over the first few days and especially once I was able to reestablish contact with the national pastors in Myanmar, we decided the best thing would be to assist the infrastructure we already have in country.

Before the Cyclone

After the Cyclone

We have sent Pastor Jacob some money from our missionary account and from our personal money. Our sending church, Landmark Baptist, has taken up an offering and will be providing some to us and to two other missionaries from our church as well. We have also sent money to a pastor in Mandalay, an area that was not affected by the cyclone, and he will be taking rescue supplies to the hardest hit areas.

We are taking a two-phase approach:

Phase I - Rescue
The immediate needs are for rescue supplies - food, water and shelter.

Phase II - Recovery
Our priority will be to those most affected, with little chance for help outside the church.

E-mail from Pastor Jacob:

Dear Tom & Jerilyn,

Greetings from Yangon, Myanmar.  This is after 14 days of the devastation of the Yangon city and the delta areas.  There are 12 million people suffering by this deadly storm Nargis. We have been visiting around and see the dire needs of the Christian brethren and non Christians as well.  Our initial step is to help the immediate needs of food, clothing, medicine, water, Bibles and gospel tracts as well as books that will comfort them.  We are trying our best with whatever amount we have with us which is just nothing comparing to the great needs.  But we are so happy to serve in whatever way we can.

E-mail from Pastor Pa Lian:

Dear Dr. Tom & Jerilyn,

Thank you very much for your concern.  No matter what the situation is, I will continue my work to let people know their salvation. I’m reminded of a sermon you gave when you were here: the more you work hard the more challenges you face.  So, let’s continue our prayer for each other.  God Bless, Pastor Pa Lian

E-mail from Pastor Hau Yang:

He and his family are safe.  Their home was completely destroyed and he is undecided about rebuilding the home in the same area.  Pray that God will guide him as he decides what to do.

When I was first able to correspond with Pastor Jacob, one of the first questions I asked him was what the greatest need was.  I expected the answer to be food, water or shelter.  He responded: “The greatest need is for souls to be saved out of all of this.”  It brought back vivid memories of standing on the beaches with hundreds of Tsunami survivors and realizing that the Tsunami was not a punishment from God but a strong reminder that He is in control and that He still saves people.

Please pray for many souls to be saved as a result of ours and others rescue and recovery operations.

Tom and Jerilyn Kane

Any donations can be sent to Southeast Asia Fund #388
Cyclone Rescue
BIMI
P.O. Box 9215
Chattanooga, TN 37412

Thank you for your prayers and help.
Robert Meyer