Hope. It’s what’s for life.

                                                             
                                                                                                          sunset in the Delta
On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis relentlessly hit the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar killing over 160,000 people and left 30,000 missing. Much of the world was closed off to the country’s status and relief efforts. 

On a recent trip to the delta, a deep disparity resonated in my soul. I could not imagine 75% of my county back home being wiped out, but Burmese people can, as this is their current reality. I heard stories of mothers losing the majority of their families and individuals clinging to coconut trees for hours to survive. As their families were stripped from their lives, also was the feeling and vision of hope.

Currently, life in the Delta is in survival mode. Life consist of waiting each day for rice bags from NGO’s (Non-Governmental Operations), rebuilding bamboo homes, and relocating orphans due to lack of space. The rice fields are still soaking in salt water and much of the cattle were lost during the storm. Food is scarce and children go to school under UNICEF tarps. The Delta region is far from being restored. 

My team was able to fellowship with a church in Labutta , a main township in the Delta where reported 80,000 died. We fell in love with their worship for the Lord. It was sitting on the bamboo floor with 35 other believers around me that I saw what praise looks like in a time of need. It was there that I saw the vision of that church becoming a true life source for that city. (right: Labutta)

Jesus is their hope. They know Him and depend on Him in every way. They are currently sitting in a little bamboo house, stuffing over 100 believers every Sunday. Their church is growing fast as well as their dream to reach their community with the hope of Christ. Despite the Myanmar’s policy banning anyone to build churches, they are building a bigger house to be used as a place for believers to fellowship They are needing around $9,000 to complete the church by Christmas. We desire to raise the funds by December 1, 2008.

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Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA30353-4470