Flash flooding in Philippines destroys church, future questioned

Iligan City, Philippines is hit by
 flash flood. 1,080 reportly died.
 (Photo by Mariz Serate)

Philippines (MNN) ― While many churches around the world were celebrating Christmas, Christians in parts of the Philippines were just thankful to be alive. Tropical Storm Washi's flash flood has claimed more than 1,000 lives. Churches in the region are now questioning their future.

Pastor Jay Rosales with Gospel Church in Iligan City, Mindanao, says he and his family were right in the middle of the flash flood that ripped through the city. Pastor Rosales says in his church, "Two people are dead. 10 are missing [and presumed dead]. Two of them are children."

What about his 17-year-old church? Rosales says water reached the top of his two-story church building, and "it's totally wiped out. There's nothing left except the posts. All the things inside the church, and the parsonage -- everything is entirely gone."

Rosales is concerned about the future of his church. "The government will no longer allow us to rebuild it in that place. Our problem today is: where are we going to put our church because we don't really have the money to build a church. Secondly, getting a place from the city would be [too expensive]."

Rosales says 30 church families have been displaced, and he asks for prayer as he reaches out in Jesus' name. "It's hard to ease their pain. I just embrace them and cry with them. I don't know what words to use. It's really hard. I share [with them] that God is in control and that He is amazing because God did not allow us to die in this incident."

Aid has been slow in getting to the region. However, reports indicate that it's now reaching the affected areas.

Compassion International is raising $500,000 to help their program in the region. Seven Compassion children died, and 21 are still missing. You can help Compassion by clicking here. Food for the Hungry is also committing to help an evacuation center which is serving 3,000 people. Click here to help Food for the Hungry's work.

Good news from the flood front in Pakistan

Pakistan (MNN) ― Flooding in Pakistan affected over 5.4 million people in the early autumn of 2011. The rain may have died down a while ago, but recovery is far from over.

Operation Mobilization has had teams working hard in Pakistan for years. They responded to the generous flooding in 2010 and have been responding to this year's crisis as well. Despite the extremely hard work that goes into the relief, the OM teams have been making significant progress.

The absence of rain has helped in numerous ways. Due to houses collapsing and flooded land, people were moved, many to live temporarily by the roadside in makeshift shelters. But OM reports that now 60% of the people have returned home to prepare their lands for crops where the water has gone down, and to attempt to rebuild their houses.

The fact that homes are no longer empty has no doubt made work easier for OM teams, which have been entering villages to help with numerous small projects.

The work OM teams are doing is widespread. An opening ceremony was recently held to celebrate the successful installation of a hand pump at a school. On a slightly smaller but still important scale, team members were also able to distribute "jompy" water boilers this week, which will help kill unhealthy germs and also save fuel for villagers boiling water.

The teams have already distributed food, mosquito nets, and medicine for animals. Now they are holding six medical camps in different locations. 368 people have received checkups, and basic medicine has been provided in three different locations so far. The aim is for these camps to help particularly poor people to recover. Winter distribution of essentials like blankets is planned as the weather gets colder. Rebuilding work on damaged houses is set to begin in January.

Throughout their work, OM has been able to visit many different tribes, particularly Hindus. Watching the teams' care through relief activities has made individuals increasingly more open to listen to the Gospel, OM reports.

Work is far from over in Pakistan recovery efforts, but the Lord is using OM every step of the way. To learn more about OM Pakistan, click here.

Thailand flood toll tops 600

Baan Sang Khom Childcare Center

Thailand (MNN) ― Thailand is still experiencing flooding in the Bangkok area. The death toll tops 600, and damages are estimated around $10 billion dollars.

According to government reports, 18 provinces are still underwater, including the capital: Bangkok. Waters are receding in 46 other provinces. However, early indicators are that more than 13 million people (or one in five Thais) have been affected.

Tens of thousands of businesses were damaged, putting over a million of employees at the risk of losing their jobs. Nearly a quarter of the crops were also waterlogged.   

AMG Thailand last week reported that they had escaped the high waters. But workers say the Baan Sang Khom Childcare Center has since been flooded. The project is in the middle of the slum. Center director Pramwadee says both the center and the church are located near the sea, so the height of the flooding is determined by sea level.

Unfortunately, that means the streets around the church areas--including the neighboring communities and many of the children's home--are flooded. 

In the wake of evacuation, parents in the area have sent their children to family in less flood-prone areas, especially since the government announced the schools in the flooded areas will remain closed until the waters recede and the land dries out.

AMG has a sponsorship program for 25-30 children at the center where the children get a meal and homework support. On weekends, there is Bible teaching and singing. All the parents are invited on special occasions such as Christmas. Right now, things have been disrupted in the scatter.

To help flood victims, AMG put together survivor packs including rice, noodles, canned fish, oil, fish sauce, tissue, and snacks, which are delivered by local church members.

Pray that many hearts will be softened, and that many people will learn to trust God. Pray too that the ministry will resume soon.

Thailand floods could last into new year

AMG Thailand getting relief
 supplies ready.

Thailand (MNN) ― While the floodwaters in Thailand are finally receding, the Prime Minister warns that the high water may last until next year.

Government reports indicate that the death toll of Thailand's worst flooding in at least five decades was 564. People are slowly coming back after a mandatory evacuation hit 1/3 of Bangkok's districts. The rains put 700,000 people out of work and caused billions in damage.

Thailand has seen about 3.8 million acres of farmland inundated, forcing the government to cut its estimate for this year's main crop by 24%. This week, the United States announced a $10 million aid package to help get the country back on its feet.

The disaster has hit many ministries in the region. AMG Thailandhas two childcare centers in central Thailand: Living Stream and Bright Home. While both stayed dry, survivors in the community need food, medicine, rain boots or similar shoes to protect their feet, and small flat-bottom boats for transportation.

AMG's missionary in Chiang Mai, Ron Hamme, says, "As for our child-care centers in Nan and Museekee (northern Thailand), they are NOT flooded. Earlier flooding in Nan did wipe out the electricity to Camp Joy and the Joy Youth Development Center for about two months, but they are again with power. "

AMG National Director in Thailand, Chowkee Zaw Min, lives in Bangkok and reports: "By the Grace of God, [at] this time, the office, our homes, and all of the AMG childcare centers ARE SAFE. However, the only childcare center in Bangkok (most of the AMG childcare centers in Thailand are in the mountains or highlands in Northern Thailand),  Baan Sang Khom (with 35 AMG-sponsored children), will probably be affected because it is near the sea."

Chowke has been in constant communication with the Baan Sang Khom project director. The ministry not only sent funds but also made plans for evacuation, temporary housing, and emergency supplies for the families." The team also bought several small boats for the center, so people can move around and get help from the government and others that are providing relief. 

The Thailand flooding provided yet another opportunity for AMG to share the compassion of Christ by meeting physical as well as spiritual needs in areas where AMG had already been working for years.

AMG is asking for funding help in order to continue to respond to these needs and to show the love of Christ to people who need recovery assistance.

Central America still under state of emergency due to flooding

Mission Network News: "Nicaragua (FH/MNN) ― Floods have wreaked havoc throughout Central America this month. Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega declared a state of emergency in the wake of Tropical Storm Matthew."

Read more...

Worst of Thai flooding effects yet to come

Mission Network News: "Thailand (MNN) ― The atmosphere in Thailand is tense, to say the least. Some are fleeing their homes, others are staying put out of necessity for farming or because they simply have nowhere to go.

Those remaining in their homes are living in water-filled houses, most swimming in sewage."

Read more...

Flooding closes second airport, threatens Compassion

Mission Network News: "Thailand (MNN) ― Thailand's floodwaters have spilled far enough into Bangkok to promote the shutdown of a second airport in the region.

Over 360 people have been killed and more than 100,000 displaced in the heavy rains and floods of Thailand which have been marked as the worst flooding the nation has seen in 50 years."

Read more...

OM assesses Pakistan flood damage, responds

Mission Network News: "Pakistan (MNN) ― In 2010, flooding affected tens of millions of people across Pakistan. Scores lost their homes and were forced to relocate. After monsoon rains this year, the Pakistani people are left submerged once again."

Read more...

Orphan Outreach team in Guatemala as floods kill 13 nearby

Mission Network News: "Guatemala (MNN) ― Tropical depression "12-E" has slammed Central America with heavy rains and is responsible for at least 13 deaths in Guatemala already.

President Alvaro Colom reports that at least four of those deaths were a result of electrocution. Others drowned, or were caught in mudslides."

Read more...

Teams needed to start recovery process of 2011's natural disasters

Mission Network News: "USA (MNN) ― The year of 2011 has been filled with natural disaster for the United States. No one disaster has been of Japan-tsunami proportions, but multiple "small" crises are adding up.
TouchGlobal Crisis Response, a ministry of the Evangelical Free Church of America, is responding to three of these crises in particular."

Read more...

More rains could add to lethal flooding

Mission Network News: "More rains could add to lethal flooding"

Thailand (MNN) ― More than 760,000 people have been affected by flooding in Thailand, and at least 83 have been killed. Even more waters now threaten to drench the area, according to the UN's humanitarian news and analysis service, IRIN. Read more...

Nine Compassion centers affected by Bangladesh flooding

Bangladesh (MNN) ― The city of Khulna, Bangladesh, is recovering from recent flooding while watching rain continue to fall.

Sources say thousands of people have lost their homes due to flooding, erosion and landslides triggered by a monsoon that swept across Bangladesh. Many who have managed to keep their homes in one piece are living in submerged houses.

On August 10, the children and families of only three child development centers assisted by Compassion International
and one Child Survival Program had been affected. Currently, seven Compassion centers and two Child Survival Programs have been affected.

Child development centers and Child Survival Programs BD-307, BD-CS8 Child Survival Program, BD-312, BD-313, BD-325, BD-340 have all been affected. They are located in an area that experiences annual flooding. Currently, many of the roads are flooded, and communication has been hindered.

Fortunately, all the Compassion-assisted children from these centers and their families are safe.

Child development center BD-506 and Child Survival Program BD-CS3 are located in an area that has been severely impacted by the flooding. The center is distributing dry food and drinking water to the affected Compassion-assisted families.

Child development center BD-509 is also located in an area that has been badly affected by the flooding. The homes of at least 50 Compassion-assisted children have been flooded.

If you sponsor a child through Compassion in this affected area, Compassion will contact you on the status of your child.
Pray for the rains to cease in Khulna. Pray for God's provision for those whose homes have been flooded, and pray for those families to cling to Christ and to be a bold witness to others suffering around them.

Compassion supports children across the globe with basic needs, education, and the message of the Gospel. Learn more about the ministry here.

India, Myanmar, Bangladesh Hit with Floods

August 19, 2011

While many areas on the globe are experiencing a tremendous drought, a torrential downpour has made its way to Northern India, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh.

The unwelcome rains have left thousands of people homeless and in need of help. Gospel for Asia is providing as much assistance as it can to those suffering from the downpour.

India: National Highways Collapse
Four states in India are battling against floods. In Assam, India, two primary national highways considered "lifelines" collapsed after three to four days of continuous rain. In one of the worst hit areas of Assam, helicopters were sent out to rescue marooned people.

In the West Bengal islands, rain has weakened several river embankments. Reports indicate that about 2,500 houses have been damaged by the flood waters.

Bihar, India, has about 500 houses that have been affected. Out of those 500 houses, a GFA field correspondent reports that 90 of those were homes of Bridge of Hope children, and another 20 belonged to believers of a local GFA-supported congregation. Thankfully, the church building and the Bridge of Hope centers in the flooded areas were not destroyed by the rising water.

In Jammu and Kashmir, India, houses and other structures are collapsing, killing a number of people and injuring others. Landslides are also a problem, washing off stretches of road and obstructing villages.

Myanmar: Villages Unreachable
In the country of Myanmar (Burma), villagers had to desert their houses to escape the rising waters.

A GFA field correspondent reported that local missionaries serving in this country are not able to reach many villages because of collapsed bridges.

"They are going through a difficult situation," he said. "Please pray the Lord will console the hearts of the people who are affected in this flood."

Bangladesh: Children Cry for Food
In Bangladesh, steady rain washed away houses, cows, goats, rice paddy fields and other crops. Out of the thousands affected, 238 families belong to seven GFA-supported churches in the surrounding area.

"The people are suffering without food and work," a GFA field correspondent explained. "Their condition is so pathetic that their children are crying and asking for food, but the parents cannot provide food for them."

Help in Time of Need
GFA Compassion Services teams are making their way into villages, government-run refugee camps and school buildings temporarily housing people in desperate need of help. They are distributing biscuits, rice, milk powder, salt and other food items.

"It is hard for us to imagine the intense suffering these poor and helpless people are facing," said GFA President K.P. Yohannan. "I am so grateful for this opportunity we have to bring relief and hope for these precious people in Jesus' name."

Some areas are still too difficult to reach, but GFA Compassion Services teams will persist until they are able to provide help to all who are suffering.

• Please pray the relief teams will reach the people in time and help save them from starvation.
• Pray GFA-supported missionaries are able to share the love of Christ as they minister to those who have lost so much.
• Pray for the flood victims to experience the Lord's comfort during this difficult time.
• Pray the rain will subside so restoration and reconstruction can begin.

Many of Pakistan’s Christian Flood Victims Still Homeless

Government said to allot land only to Muslims in southern Punjab Province.

By Murad Khan 

LAHORE, Pakistan, August 9 (Compass Direct News) – Many Christians living in the southern belt of Pakistan’s Punjab Province who lost their houses in last year’s floods remain homeless despite a plan by the Punjab government to allocate land to residents in the area, area Christians said.

Hameed Masih, a resident of Kot Addu in Muzaffargarh district, said the provincial government has not set a quota for granting of land to members of minority communities left homeless by the devastating floods that began in late July 2010.

The government has begun four plans in Kot Addu under which around 435 plots of fivemarlas (151 square yards) each were to be distributed among people who lost their property. Several people were allotted land last month, but so far no minority member has been given land, he said.

“Christians in this area are not rich people,” Masih said. “They lost their houses and lands in the floods and should have been given a 5 percent quota in the scheme. Flood victims could have been easily accommodated, but the quota system has not been followed, and thus no minority member has been allotted land.”

Aid distribution was also initially unfair, he said.

“There were some problems in the beginning, but then minority members protested and the issue was resolved,” he said.

Masih added that Christian families in his village are receiving monthly stipends from the government.

The list of homeless people was prepared by local land revenue officers who did not do so fairly, said another Christian. Sarwar Masih said he does not have property and does menial work for a living, but his name was not included in the list by the land revenue officers, orpatwaris.

“Patwaris had to refer our names to higher authorities, but the names of those who could not ‘make them happy’ were not included in the list,” he said. “My name was not in the list, so I had no hope of getting land, though being homeless I fulfill the criteria.”

Areas where plots have been allotted include Gurmani Sharki, Jandeer Dueaja, Chak 568 and Chowk Sarwar Shaheed. There are some 8,500 registered minority voters, mostly Christians and Hindus, in these areas, with the total minority population said to be around 18,000.

“Several people who have been allotted plots under this scheme already have plenty of resources and land, while those who do not have property have been ignored,” said a Christian identified only as Wasim, who is minorities coordinator of Kot Addu.

He added that one person who owns 22 acres of agricultural land has been allotted more land under the government rehabilitation plan.

Napoleon Qayyum, a minority rights activist and leader of the Minorities Wing of the Pakistan People’s Party, said that under Pakistan’s constitution, minorities should be given a 5 percent quota in all government plans. He added that the Punjab government should adhere to that quota as well.

Officials from the local administration responded to the allegations by saying they did not directly handle flood rehabilitation, adding that plots were allotted to homeless people through a lottery draw.

Chaudhry Ehsanul Haq Nolatia, a local Member of the Provincial Assembly from Kot Addu, said a committee was formed to look into the allotment.

“It is true that the government did not allocate any special quota for minorities in the scheme, but the plots were distributed through a draw,” he said.

He added that he would take up the issue in the Punjab Assembly.

Flooding from monsoon rains affected the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions and the Indus River basin, submerging about one-fifth of Pakistan’s land. Close to 2,000 people died, and some 20 million people lost their livelihood, property or other infrastructure in the flooding.

www.compassdirect.org

END

Tropical storm a concern in Haiti

A Compassion project in Haiti.

Haiti (MNN) ― Weather forecasters predicted as much as 20 inches of rain to hit Haiti yesterday, but it's uncertain what Tropical Storm Emily will leave in her wake. As the storm lumbered across the nation, the more than 600,000 Haitians living in tents and make-shift homes feared the worst.

Compassion International serves more than 66,000 children in Haiti. Compassion spokeswoman Kathy Redmond says, "People living in tents, living in that close proximity with still very little sanitation -- that gets a little concerning."

While there are damage reports, exact figures aren't available yet. One thing is certain, says Redmond: "A lot of these people in the community, whether they're Compassion beneficiaries or not, go to the church for their supplies."

Compassion works through the local church because it helps them be valued in their community. "These churches are transforming whole communities. Where you would have lawlessness and that sort of thing, these churches make a difference. They are giving the Gospel, and you know, there is a battle going on in Haiti--a very spiritual battle."
Since the devastating earthquake struck Haiti over a year ago, churches continue to grow.

Child sponsors are needed to help fund the ministry of Compassion in Haiti. If you can't do a monthly commitment, you can still help through another program," says Redmond. "It's called Compassion's 'Water of Life' program. And for $55, you can buy awater filtration system that can go into a child's house and supply the entire with clean water for their lifetime."

Clean water is vital to their program worldwide. Redmond asks, "How many of the diseases that are responsible for the deaths of children -- well, it's all about clean water. So, for $55 you can make sure these kids have clean water and it's in their house."

If you'd like to get involved in Compassion's work, click here.