Suffering brings us closer to God

India, Myanmar, Bangladesh Hit with Floods

"While many areas on the globe are experiencing a tremendous drought, a torrential downpour has made its way to Northern India, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. The unwelcome rains have left thousands of people homeless and in need of help."

As soon as I saw this headline in my email box, I sent up a quick prayer to the Lord for these people. As I prayed, I remarked to God how these people are so very poor already and now a natural disaster. 

As I prayed this, I was struck with the idea that now, through this disaster, God is opening doors for Christians to go in and help them...not only through disaster relief but by sharing the Gospel with them. God knows our hearts. He knows that our hearts are most open to Him in our suffering. It's when things are not going well, when we are not self-sufficient and content, that we began to look to Him.

In addition, as a result of this tragedy, Christians around the world, like me...like you, will pray, today, for India, Myanmar and Bangladesh, when we most likely would not have even thought of them. And "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Does God send these disasters...I don't know. I don't believe He does because God is a God of light and not darkness. He is a God of goodness and not evil. But, like the story of Joseph and so many other instances in the Bible...especially the death of Jesus...does God bring good out of tragedy and suffering? YES! "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:8-11

So, are Christians going into India, Myanmar and Bangladesh to bring them material and spiritual help. Yes! Here is the rest of the email:

Gospel for Asia is providing as much assistance as it can to those suffering from the downpour.

India: National Highways Collapse
Four states in India are battling against floods. In Assam, India, two primary national highways considered "lifelines" collapsed after three to four days of continuous rain. In one of the worst hit areas of Assam, helicopters were sent out to rescue marooned people.

In the West Bengal islands, rain has weakened several river embankments. Reports indicate that about 2,500 houses have been damaged by the flood waters.

Bihar, India, has about 500 houses that have been affected. Out of those 500 houses, a GFA field correspondent reports that 90 of those were homes of Bridge of Hope children, and another 20 belonged to believers of a local GFA-supported congregation. Thankfully, the church building and the Bridge of Hope centers in the flooded areas were not destroyed by the rising water.

In Jammu and Kashmir, India, houses and other structures are collapsing, killing a number of people and injuring others. Landslides are also a problem, washing off stretches of road and obstructing villages.

Myanmar: Villages Unreachable
In the country of Myanmar (Burma), villagers had to desert their houses to escape the rising waters.

A GFA field correspondent reported that local missionaries serving in this country are not able to reach many villages because of collapsed bridges.

"They are going through a difficult situation," he said. "Please pray the Lord will console the hearts of the people who are affected in this flood."

Bangladesh: Children Cry for Food
In Bangladesh, steady rain washed away houses, cows, goats, rice paddy fields and other crops. Out of the thousands affected, 238 families belong to seven GFA-supported churches in the surrounding area.

"The people are suffering without food and work," a GFA field correspondent explained. "Their condition is so pathetic that their children are crying and asking for food, but the parents cannot provide food for them."

Help in Time of Need
GFA Compassion Services teams are making their way into villages, government-run refugee camps and school buildings temporarily housing people in desperate need of help. They are distributing biscuits, rice, milk powder, salt and other food items.

"It is hard for us to imagine the intense suffering these poor and helpless people are facing," said GFA President K.P. Yohannan. "I am so grateful for this opportunity we have to bring relief and hope for these precious people in Jesus' name."

Some areas are still too difficult to reach, but GFA Compassion Services teams will persist until they are able to provide help to all who are suffering.

• Please pray the relief teams will reach the people in time and help save them from starvation.
• Pray GFA-supported missionaries are able to share the love of Christ as they minister to those who have lost so much.
• Pray for the flood victims to experience the Lord's comfort during this difficult time.
• Pray the rain will subside so restoration and reconstruction can begin.