Update: Successful efforts in Myanmar

We have received an update from Understand The Times International Ministry regarding their relief efforts in Myanmar (Burma) Yangon area. I will include the email sent to us from Roger Oakland in the following:

 
June 18, 2008

Report on Nargis Disaster Relief Trip - June 4-12, 2008

A representative from UTT journeyed to Yangon, Myanmar from June 4-12, 2008 to help provide disaster relief from Cyclone Nargis, distributing funds from Understand the Times donors and helping to organize future relief efforts utilizing friends and ministries already established in Yangon and the severely affected Irrawaddy delta area. Three others representing UTT also were in Yangon as tourists and were able to take in funds for disaster relief. We also were able to take in several power tools with rechargeable batteries.

Over $50,000 has been provided from people all over the world who responded to the UTT Myanmar Relief Fund. At this point we have distributed approximately $20,000. All of the funds that have been donated for the Myanmar Relief Fund will be used for this purpose.

We first provided for the immediate needs of the 120 children and adults that we are supporting in Yangon. Meetings were held and a plan was then established to supply food and assist in providing shelter for people in the outlying areas that were most devastated by the cyclone.

The following report put together by Tom (UTT Board member who was in Yangon) lays out some of the things that have been done and what our long-term plan is for assisting and evangelizing. We have not named specific people for their protection, as you will understand.

While we will continue to receive and distribute funds for the Myanmar Relief Fund, our concern at this moment is that we meet our budget for supporting the 120 children, students and adults that we are committed to supporting. While many of the children and students have sponsors, we have many other expenses and immediate needs. In the future we will be posting what these needs are.

This is just the first few paragraphs of the report. Please click here to read the entire report with pictures.

As you can see, there is a lot of positive efforts being done in Myanmar despite the rejections of the Junta government. We are keeping the Bryce Lodge orphanages and the people of Myanmar in our prayers as well as those involved with the ministry efforts of Understand The Times.

If you go to the link provided by the email, you will see much more information and some really great pictures of what is being done there. They are actively trying to support those in surrounding areas as well as those associated with the Bryce Lodges.

If you would like to help them in their future efforts, you can give to the cause by clicking here. The people of Myanmar will greatly appreciate all of your support whether it be financially or by prayer. You are making a difference in the lives of those devistated by cyclone Nagris.

There Is Hope For Myanmar Cyclone Disaster Victims

There is hope for Myanmar cyclone nagris disaster victims… We have received an update from Roger Oakland with Understand The Times, International Ministry. Please read the following message:

Myanmar Missions Update
From Understand The Times

As the world now knows, the destruction that hit Yangon and surrounding area two weeks ago may go down in history as one of the most severe catastrophes of all time. While the loss of life is indescribable, there is much more to this story. Not only is Myanmar one of the poorest places in the world, the people of the country may be the most oppressed in the world. 

UTT has been working with Christians in the country of Myanmar for the last three years. We have over 60 underprivileged children that are being cared for in four different homes (Bryce Lodges 1,2,3 and 4). We have also helped to establish Yangon Grace Bible Fellowship that has planted an additional five churches in two years. Before the storm hit we were in the process of establishing a Bible School and 25 Bible School students to share the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the country.

Four days passed following the storm before we received word from our people (who mostly live in Yangon) that all had survived the disaster. By surviving, we mean that all are alive. The conditions they now face are very difficult.

Understand The Times has established a Myanmar Relief Fund to assist the survivors. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have already contributed. We have prayed and come up with what we believe is the proper way to distribute one hundred percent of the funds we receive to those who are in need.

Our strategy is to move financial resources into the country by several different means, and get these funds to the local Christians that Understand The Times has been working with over the last 3 years. Through their network of house churches and Bible School students we will identify needs and means of securing food, clothing and supplies for shelter and daily living and then provide for as many needs as possible along with proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is a report from one of our leaders from May 13: 

“We went to the most destroyed places this morning but returned from half way because the military (army) do not like us to go. They check every truck to see whether the people bring rice, cooking oils, etc. The morality has been the issue.” “It looks like I will have to borrow the money and buy chain saws and help the Buddhist outreach area. Their house was completely destroyed. I will send the picture. Today, we gave them some money to buy rice. It is very humbling to see where they sleep and eat.”

And from another leader in Yangon:

“Nowadays, our main work is to go around and help the needy people in the way we could. Many of them are still in government school because of having no place to stay. According to the situation of Outskirt people (Buddhist slums), if you can come and supply the needs of rice, material needs for houses like bamboo roof cover like a roof grass- thatch tents, mosquito nets, cooking oil, salt, water for use so that no loss motion comes and solves the problems which they can not solve by their own, I believe it will be helpful and useful for reaching out the gospel to the people. The above things are getting higher day by day. Some are rising twice to sixth than the normal price. We brought even water very costly.”

We must exercise caution since foreign activity is suspect there and if we are too visible we can bring much trouble upon the local Christians. We must be very discreet and proceed with much caution and we must protect names and faces. We are presently in the process of sending someone over to Yangon to provide assistance and to help organize and oversee the dispersal of assistance through Understand the Times in the surrounding area. Others will follow as they are able to secure visas. Please pray for favor that we may receive the necessary visas and be able to go. 

All funds taken will be documented and accounted for and records will be kept showing who received the support and how it was spent. Our benevolent efforts will be in the name of Jesus and the gospel will be presented along with the physical assistance. A fund for supporting the victims of the Myanmar disaster has been established at  www.understandthetimes.org. Checks can be sent to our two offices in Canada and USA. Again, one hundred percent of all donations to the Myanmar Relief Fund go to help the people of Myanmar.

Sincerely In Christ,
Roger Oakland

As you can see, so much is going on in Yangon Myanmar and the surrounding areas. It reminds me of the verses: 

 

Amos 5:19 “As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.”

 

These poor people are going from a horrific event then having to suffering from the elements, food starvation, water dehydration and if that wasn’t enough, their own government is out to get them… or at least let them suffer and die. So, please, if you can do nothing else… pray for them and for those who are trying to help them. Let Understand The Times know you are keeping them in your prayers, encourage them in their difficult tasks ahead. You can visit their website at:  Understand The Times.

Be sure to subscribe to my feed for updates as they happen and please remember that your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any questions or comments you would like passed along, please feel free to leave them in the comments section of this post. Thank you, God bless.