Help for Burma after Cyclone Nargis

Mike Freeman, Bible Society’s Volunteer Recruitment Officer, was part of the emergency response team with Samaritan’s Purse helping people caught up in the wake of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. He worked with churches in Burma to distribute aid among thousands of people whose lives, homes and livelihoods were wrecked by the disaster.

More than 80,000 people died – including some 8,000 Christians – and more than 50,000are still missing. But in the three months since the cyclone, the prayers and financial support of Bible Society supporters have had a tremendous impact.

With their help, practical aid, Scripture portions and Bibles have been distributed to people in more than 50 villages and 15 towns worst hit by the storm – including:

- 50,000 Bible tracts in two languages, called Cyclone Nargis to a hopeful future

- Bibles to Christians

- more than 700 bags of rice

- clothing for over 1,000 families

- cooking utensils for 300 families

‘Christians who have lost everything above all want to have hope. So they ask for Scriptures. As well as food and shelter, they long for the hope described in the Bible,’ said Revd Saw Mar Gay Gyi, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Myanmar.

‘I have met people who, despite everything that’s happened, believe God loves them and feel they have been surrounded by the compassion of God’s people.

‘Buddhist families have been moved by our actions – as we give aid to everyone, not just the Christians. One family, when they saw what we were doing, said “this is the love of God”.’

Please continue to pray:www.biblesociety.org.uk/enewsletter

- for Revd Mar Gay Gyi and his team as they work faithfully to demonstrate God’s love in practical ways to communities in desperate need

- for individuals who have received Scripture portions and Bibles, that they would find answers, comfort and hope in the Bible’s life-changing message

You can continue to financially support the distribution of Bibles and aid in Burma. Make a gift today at www.biblesociety.org.uk/burma-myanmar

Source: www.biblesociety.org.uk/enewsletter

Prayer update from Burma (Myanmar)

‘Give thanks to the Lord because he is good; his love is eternal.’ 1 Chronicles 16:34 (GNB)

Tonight I am glad to share this encouraging update from the Bible Society:-


In our previous email, we asked for your prayers to help the people of Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

‘For the first time in over 30 years, Church leaders were standing alongside ministers and other government leaders as they waited to receive aid for their people,’ Mike Freeman, Bible Society’s Volunteer Recruitment and Development Officer said. Mike is part of an emergency response team with Samaritan’s Purse. ‘The Church has operated discretely for decades. This is the time for their voice to be heard in Myanmar,’ he continued.

Over 7,000 Christians are recorded dead and 300 churches destroyed. Official figures put the death toll in Burma at 78,000 – but the Red Cross and the UN say the disaster could have claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people.

As humanitarian needs are being addressed, Mike is assessing the need for Scriptures among those who long for encouragement from God’s Word during these difficult times.

Please thank God:

That the relief team has been able to get aid into the country.
For Bible Society staff who are working with other organisations to meet the needs of their people.

Please pray:

For the spiritual needs of the people of Burma, that Bible Society and its partners are able to provide the support they need.
For the steadfastness of the Church in Myanmar. And that, even though they have suffered great loss, their faith is a great encouragement to others.
That other trips to Rangoon with relief consignments are successful in getting much needed aid into people’s hands.
Please make a gift today to help the people of Burma www.biblesociety.org.uk/burma-myanmar

Thank you for your support.