Asia/Pacific Updates

Lives Rebuilt in Indonesia

Through the humanitarian NGO set up to help disaster victims, IPHC churches in Indonesia have been rebuilding the homes and lives of families whose houses were destroyed in last month's earthquake. In addition to construction work, these angels of mercy have been distributing food and providing instruction to children whose schools were shaken to the ground.

Such practical demonstration of the love of Christ becomes a powerful witness in Islamic areas where most people know little of Christianity other than propaganda. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

Philippines Disaster Relief

The United Nations reports that the recent storms in the Philippines have affected over 6 million people.

According to the Christian Post, over 4 million people were affected when Typhoon Ketsana struck Manila and its greater metropolitan area late last month. Then another 2 million were added to the toll when Typhoon Parma hit a vast area northwest of Manila again last Friday.

“Even though the immediate effects of these typhoons have passed, we face many months of hard work, relief, and recovery and reconstruction ahead,” U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes told reporters at a news conference in Manila.

Holmes also warned of the serious health threat posed by stagnant water in flooded communities, stressing that it is crucial to get rid of the water rather than waiting for it to recede on its own.

“This crisis is by no means over. In some ways the hard work is just starting,” he stated.

Those in need of help include IPHC churches and members in Manila and northern Luzon. Debra Crook, our missionary in Baguio City, reports that all roads into the city were covered or washed out by landslides, which buried homes and took the lives of as many as 200 people.

We can help by praying and giving to the Philippines disaster relief project of People to People Ministries.

Disaster Relief in Indonesia

The death toll has surpassed 600 in the Padang area of Sumatra where last week's earthquakes wrought so much devastation. IPHC has no churches in the stricken area. Nevertheless, our local churches are heavily involved in ministry to the victims. Working through an NGO, they have dispatched a team to the stricken area to assess needs and provide immediate help. 

Using skills and expertise developed in previous disaster relief efforts, this initial team brought food, clothing, tents, cooking utensils, and other items needed by the victims. They also offer compassionate counsel to those who are grieving over the loss of homes or loved ones. Through their presence, the hand of Christ can touch the lives many who are suffering. 

IPHC World Missions is providing financial backing for these efforts.

Update on Philippine Flooding

At least 240 are now confirmed dead and more than half a million displaced by the flooding unleashed by torrential rains from tropical storm Ketsana. The floods destroyed much of the city's health infrastructure, overwhelmed emergency response capabilities and forced the government to appeal for international assistance.

For hundreds of thousands of Filipinos displaced, survival is now a daily struggle in squalid, makeshift evacuation centres. Food and water are inadequate, while keeping basic standards of sanitation remains problematic as receding flood waters leave piles of rubbish and debris everywhere.

Philippine PHC National Chairman Bishop Ariel Moneda reports, "The heavily affected churches and members are in San Pedro, Cainta, Pasig, Morong, Santa Rosa, Taytay, Makati, and Tondo. Any assistance will be highly appreciated, especially in terms of food. We need your prayers because another typhoon is coming according to the news. Thank you very much for your concern. God bless you!"

Flooding in the Philippines

Rescuers from the army and civilian agencies struggled for a second day on Sunday to reach flood victims in the Philippines after a tropical storm swept through the main island of Luzon, leaving at least 95 dead and temporarily displacing more than 337,000 people.

Government troops, the police and civilian volunteers had by Sunday night rescued more than 5,000 people. Some 68,550 people were being housed in 118 evacuation centers, the government’s disaster management agency said. Television reports showed people still on rooftops, waving and shouting for food, water and warm clothes, while army and civilian helicopters dropped food and relief goods. TV footage showed some survivors clinging to high-voltage power lines.

Some reports estimate that 80% of the capital is still under water. The government has declared a "calamity" in Manila and 25 provinces, allowing access to emergency funds.

Reports so far indicate that our Philippine PH churches have suffered no structural damage but are facing major cleanup operations. We thank the Lord that there are no reported fatalities among our members. This from our national leader: "We reached home safely last night. The church in our house is not flooded, only the surroundings. Some of our members report they are still in flood conditions, some knee high, some waist high. No fatalities! The Lord is still good! Thanks for your prayers."

More rain is expected later in the week.

(Information from Financial Times and BBC News.)

Urgent Need in Nepal

This report is from Pastor Mohan, IPHC national leader in Nepal:

"The entire nation has been suffering from drought, with no sufficient rain for a long time, and the farmers planting in the dust! Now some rain has come, and we have lost dozens of lives in the flood and landslides!

Since 3 months an epidemic (cholera and diarrhea) has broken out in some districts in the western hilly region. The Health Ministry has been unable to control the epidemic, it  is spreading day and night, and has entered into the Capital metro city, Kathmandu.

It is reported that people are just carrying their loved ones to the riversides where they cremate the dead bodies one after another. The government has reported about 200 deaths so far, but NGOs estimate more than 1000, with 10,000 more stricken and fighting for their lives.
 
I encourage you to join your hearts of prayer with us, interceding for God's mercy and comforts and peace to this nation once again."
 

Crisis in Sri Lanka

The World Evangelical Alliance is calling on Christians worldwide to help the Sri Lankan church meet the overwhelming humanitarian crisis affecting the country. The aftermath of the three-decade old armed conflict has displaced more than 300,000 people who are desperately in need of food, medical assistance and other basic needs. The displaced include malnourished children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and the elderly.

“Despite being a small minority, the Christian community is valiantly and sacrificially giving to meet these needs, but urgently requires assistance from their brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world if they are to complete their task”, said Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, of the WEA.  “The church is called to be salt and light and rarely have I seen such dedication in extending God’s love to non-Christian communities, despite logistical difficulties and real personal danger to themselves.”

Assistance to the Sri Lanka Pentecostal Holiness Church can be sent to IPHC World Missions Ministries, project number 72006.

More information can be found in the Lausanne Connecting Point Newsletter.

Myanmar Disaster Relief Update

Here is an update from our national leader on the relief efforts for the cyclone victims in Myanmar:

As I reported to you earlier about the damages of our 11 church buildings in cyclone area, 2 churches are being rebuilt and completed through your financial help. But still praying for the 9 church rebuildings.

To support and help food and clothing for the suffering of our people your financial support made their survival for the last two months.

Altogether, the cyclone affected members of our people are 87 families and need to be supported their food for the next one year. Thank you for you and our people in IPHC are a part of this suffering.

See the photo album at left for pictures of relief work and rebuilding.

To give to the disaster relief effort, go here.

India Update: Floods and Persecution

These updates just in from our missionary Hobert Howard in India:

"The Monsoon is not as active as before, but is still alive. Before the end of the month, we expect two more hard spells of rain, lasting several days each. Sometimes these 'Latter Rains' are the hardest and most damaging of the whole 3 month Monsoon. At least 2 1/2 million people in Bihar, Jharkhand and Nepal are badly affected by the devastating flooding. It seems it is unprecedented, in living memory. 
Supt. Reuel Marandi has told me quite a number of our people have been the victims of the floods.  Many of their mud houses have collapsed." 

"The terrible persecution of Christians in Orissa continues in a major way. Our 3 Digal Pastors there report our people have all fled their homes and so far as is known all of their homes have either been burned, damaged or vandalized. They cannot go to even see. They are still in the jungle with about 120 believers. We are arranging some monetary help. Pray for them. An appeal from church leaders has been made to the Prime Minister and Supreme Court to stop the terrible violence unleashed by radical Hindus against the Christians."  

See the page at right for details of specific incidents of persecution.

Myanmar Disaster Relief

Pastor James, our national leader in Myanmar, writes: "As we received $5000 from IPHC for relief last month, we are so happy to help our people in their suffering.

We distributed food, clothing, kitchen materials, etc. to help them. The sufferers will need help for the next six months, I believe. The needs are so great! Again, thank you for the funds to help our people."

Funds may be donated to People to People disaster relief project #15. Click here for information on how to give online.