MYANMAR – Three Months Since the Earthquake
“On that earthquake day, there were screaming, thick dusts, crying sound, everywhere, and due to dusts flying the whole Mandalay, we could not see one another for 15 minutes. But when everything is clear, the 7 stories building in front of my house is no more. And people were screaming, crying for help. We learned later that 71 people were buried alive in that 1-minute time. I felt like we all were mad, we look one another and did not understand whether we are alive or whether we are in spirit! I do not know why I am alive, but I knew God had a plan for me in my life.”
This was how one Myanmarese lady, a long-time friend of our Myanmar Country Director, recounted her terrifying experience to him during his visit in April to distribute relief aid. He asked us to convey,
“sincere thanks for the opportunity to minister to our people with such big helps. “As we saw with our eyes the incidents, we pray that this will turn to be a calling bell for many to come to Jesus Christ and for those our contacts these assistances we provided, they might have many open doors for evangelism. Thanks to all donors as well! So grateful!”
According to a UN report, three months after Myanmar’s strongest earthquake in a century, more than six million people remain in urgent need of assistance. The 28 March quake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck central regions with deadly force, killing some 3,800 people and injuring over 5,000, according to UN estimates.
The disaster devastated infrastructure and homes across Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway, displacing tens of thousands more in a country already grappling with over 3.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) since the 2021 military coup.
Our Myanmar Country Director, along with his wife, was able to visit some of the most affected areas – including the area in which he and his family once lived. They were able to distribute materials (food, water, oil, pea) to 70 houses at 3 Relief camps in Sagaing town – one of the worst hit towns in Myanmar.
At Mandalay University Relief Camp they met with 80 families, mostly from the Kachin tribe – some of them Christians, and some Buddhists.
He told us that,
“these families had recently arrived from a Kachin State, where severe fighting is going on, for shelter – but when the severe earthquake took place on 28 March, they could no longer stay in the building and were given huts to stay outside the building. They were struggling for their survival so the families, including a church pastor and his family were given funds for essential supplies. One of the pastors we support, informed how the restroom for the church as well as his family had been deeply affected by the earthquake. We were able to give him some funds for renovation for his restroom.
These days all phone lines and internet access are lost every day.
Pray for us as we begin our Bible Institute last June 2. Pray for many students to give their lives to Jesus and be prepared for the ministry. Pray for our need of electricity as our town had been ZERO Electricity since February. We are praying for the possibility to put Solar electricity system in our campus which will cost us many. Currently we are 40 over students enrolling this year. Pray for divine wisdom and grace to train these folks!
I and my family experienced God’s miraculous protection last week as we are nearly hit by a mortar bomb that fell just within 10 meters around our compound at the middle of the night (1:02 am).
It is of His mercy that we are safe! Your prayers is never in vain! God saved our lives.”