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Storms Cause Devastating Loss in Several Areas


14th May 2010

Severe storms have been pounding parts of Bangladesh and Northeast India during recent weeks, causing devastating loss. Many people have lost their crops and seen their homes damaged or destroyed completely. Some are grieving the death of loved ones.

Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries in the affected areas are doing what they can to help people.

Bangladesh
After a cyclone that made landfall on April 13, Bangladesh faced more storms and heavy winds.

Four days after the cyclone, a storm hit one district where three people were killed and 2,000 homes were damaged, according to a report put out by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

PA GFA correspondent reported of two other districts that were hit by storms and strong winds that day, with several hundred homes suffering damage, five deaths and many injuries.

A GFA-supported missionary's home was destroyed, along with the homes of 16 believers and a church building.

"Presently, the people in these places are suffering without proper shelter, food or medicine," the correspondent wrote a few days after the storm hit. "The climate is very hot, and people are suffering without even having enough drinking water."

It's been reported that the government has provided some relief for them, and GFA-supported missionaries are doing what they can.

Manipur
Storms have also been raging in Manipur. In one village where a GFA-supported missionary serves, believers' homes were destroyed.

In another village, a Bridge of Hope center was severely damaged in a storm. Wind gusts carried away pieces from the roof and several tree branches crashed down on the building, smashing part of the roof. Parents in the community had worked together on the center's construction, completing it over three years ago.

The center has been forced to close down for a few days, but GFA's local correspondent reported that renovation work is expected to start soon.

Arunachal Pradesh
Rains have been pouring down in Arunachal Pradesh for the past month, resulting in flooding and landslides. Sources have estimated that 15 people have died. In one area, a bridge was washed away, preventing the transport of commodities into the area and causing prices to shoot up.

GFA leaders ask for prayer for the people affected by the recent storms in Bangladesh and Northeast India:

• Pray for divine wisdom in gauging the need and how best to help these people who have lost so much.
• Pray for GFA-supported missionaries in the affected areas as they minister to people.
• Pray that the people will experience the Lord's provision and that the believers who have suffered loss will stand strong in their faith.

  Read about the cyclone that hit Bangladesh and West Bengal on April 13.

  Another Bridge of Hope center in Manipur faced a storm in April and fared much worse.