Friday

 

“Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You.”

~Psalm 61:1-2a~

 

 

 

Tragedy Strikes in Arkansas
Just days after responding to areas in Virginia devastated by tornadoes, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains deployed again, this time to Arkansas following tornadoes that left eight dead on May 2.

For the first time in the history of the Rapid Response Team chaplaincy ministry, the team is currently deployed responding to three separate tragedies at the same time, all of which were caused by tornadoes. Chaplains are still working with students at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., following the tornado that tore through the campus in February, in addition to the deployment that began last week in Virginia.

“There is so much pain and suffering caused by these storms, especially this year with the vast destruction of so many repeated tornadoes across large swaths of our country” said Jack Munday, director of the Rapid Response Team.

Days Earlier in Virginia …
In response to damage caused by six twisters that tore through Suffolk, Va., on April 30, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) quickly deployed to the region. “RRT Chaplains were deployed to minister alongside Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Blessing,” says RRT Director Jack Munday. Samaritan’s Purse is a disaster relief organization also headed by Franklin Graham.

“We value our relationship with Samaritan’s Purse,” says Munday. “In most tragic situations like this, there are many needs: physical, emotional and spiritual. When our two groups work together, it allows us to respond in a comprehensive way to all of these needs.” The team also will work in collaboration with the Emergency Operation Center and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

 

MYANMAR. Vast rice crops were wiped out during the recent Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. The Irrawaddy Delta is considered to be Myanmar’s rice bowl. Where will people buy rice? Prices skyrocket as limited food and water become urgent needs. Sickness often results after a disaster hits. Pray that adequate food can be secured for the people and that a cup of water in Jesus’ name will be given and received. Pray for God’s people to respond to those in need, and ask that the outpouring of compassion and aid will soften the hearts of many who have never known this kind of love and grace.

First Relief Supplies Trickle into Myanmar
By Staff of Baptist Press

Five days after a cyclone’s widespread devastation in Myanmar, the first two planeloads of United Nations relief supplies landed in the capital, Yangon, April 8. Observers fear the death toll could rise from 23,000 to more than 100,000 because safe supplies of drinking water and food are not available to large numbers of people.

Visas for relief workers, however, still have not been approved by the country’s military government.

A Southern Baptist relief effort is focusing on establishing reliable communications with partners in Myanmar, said Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization.

Cyclone Nargis wiped out much of Myanmar’s communications networks and has made it difficult even for the country’s own relief system to ascertain the extent of the damage. In addition to food and clean water, aid organizations expect that the most urgent needs will include plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, mosquito nets and emergency health kits.

The death toll stands at 22,980, with another 42,119 people missing, according to Myanmar’s state media. Up to 1 million people are homeless. Relief organizations are concerned about outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and illnesses such as diarrhea that often occur in the wake of natural disasters because of dirty water and poor sanitation.

“Our priority is now to establish reliable communication with partners in Myanmar,” Palmer said. “We hope to have some things in place communications-wise in a few days. From all our sources, we understand other organizations are also experiencing difficulty in responding.”

Southern Baptists have allocated an initial $100,000 to provide basic necessities for people affected by the cyclone, Palmer said. Once a comprehensive on-ground assessment of the situation can be made, relief efforts will proceed in partnership with key Myanmar nationals, who will be instrumental in any response Southern Baptists are able to implement.

“This looks to have the makings of a long-term response, so we want to lay a good foundation as we start,” Palmer said. “We are beginning to ready partners here in the U.S. in case Myanmar’s government decides to allow international aid groups to enter the country and we are able to mount a response from here.”

In the meantime, Palmer said, Southern Baptists can get involved in relief efforts for Myanmar’s people by doing the most important thing Christians can do: Praying that God would reveal His love to the country’s suffering multitudes.

“You can get involved right now by praying for those who are trying to recover from this disaster and those who are racing to help them restore their lives,” Palmer said. “Pray that God would open the doors to allow our trained disaster response people into the country. This is still a huge barrier.”

MISSIONARY PERSONAL NEEDS. Missionaries serving among an unreached people group write: “In April, we asked you to pray as we prepared for the arrival of a new family, asking that everything would fall easily into place. God answered in a mighty way, and all the matters of childcare, housing, schooling for their children and language school for the parents have been accomplished! God just went before us and prepared visits, hearts and circumstances for His kingdom purposes to be accomplished for this young family. To Him be the glory! Please remember this family as they adjust to a new culture, language and way of life.”

Joan Hagan is having a concern that caused her to make a trip to the emergency room at North Oaks. Please pray for Joan as she works to overcome this problem.

Today’s devotional – http://www.devotions.net/devotions/05may/9.htm

Have a great day!

Anna Lee