As you may have heard from the news reports, SE Asia experienced a 7.7 level earthquake this week. Its epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar. It was felt strongly even in Bangkok, Thailand, which is 800 miles away. A national news report showed a high rise building under construction (about 40 stories) collapsing to the ground. In Myanmar, Mandalay and Yangon are the two largest cities, and both cities had very significant structural damage. In Mandalay, many buildings (maybe a very large amount) are damaged so badly they are unredeemable. Several thousand people were killed, and the count goes on. The government is downplaying the casualties. We have not yet heard of any loss of life among the Christian community, and we have been amazed by this! Many though have suffered damage to their homes and church buildings.
This email is to request your prayers for our teammates in Myanmar and for your financial help. This is a golden opportunity for our teammates to serve others in Jesus’ name. Please pass this prayer request on to any groups you are associated with. We have many brothers and sisters aiding with relief. One team led by Simon Thaung (our boots on the ground ACS leader) is in Mandalay with a team of evangelists and medical people from Yangon. One USA based partner in ministry (IDES – International Disaster Emergency Services) is responding to this need through us. If you can join in this effort, please do so.
As we see it, phase one immediate needs include food, clean water and medical aid. Phase two needs would include tarps and tents for the many who now have no homes. There are many unknowns, but we do know that these are the last days of the dry season, and the monsoons will begin at the end of the month. An ACS board member who also works with other organizations has a background in international logistics and is already giving efforts toward dispelling a Cholera outbreak which often follows an earthquake in a poor country.
Known prices for some of the needed items include $29 for a water purifier that can provide clean water for a family for a year, $100 for a large bag of rice to feed a family for a month and $200 for a family tent to live in. These are just a few of the known needs. ACS will aid the requests of the workers as they respond to the situation. An easy way for you to respond is through our website: asiachristianservices.com/donate. Again, please pray for these hurting and lost people and our teammates as they serve. We know we serve a powerful God, and we pray for his help and guidance in all we do.
Kent Odor – ACS Board Chairman