Myanmar (MNN) -- The first two planes carrying aid finally landed in Myanmar, the country recently devastated by Cyclone Nargis. More than 100,000 people are dead, more than a million are displaced, and more human catastrophe is expected if Myanmar doesn't completely open its doors to relief agencies. Food for the Hungry President Ben Homan says, "The urgency of getting the appropriate shelter, the food, clean water and health supplies is absolutely imperative because otherwise there will be wave upon wave of loss of life. And that's why we plead with the government of Myanmar to open their doors." Homan is appealing to Myanmar to allow their Bangladesh cyclone staff to enter the country. "These are Food for the Hungry staff who have already responded to cyclones in the past. They know what to do. They're trained, and they can do it in ways that are Christ honoring and Christ Centered." Your prayers and finances can make an eternal difference the lives of those who don't know Christ.
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Myanmar (MNN) -- Next, in the wake of one of the worst cyclones to hit Myanmar, the country's junta government is finally allowing some aid on the ground. It may not be soon enough for those in the outlying regions. Global Advance's David Shibley notes one prospect: "The government is being resistant to aid. However, this does give opportunity for some mission groups that are already on the ground there to be very significantly used." An earlier pastors' training conference laid the groundwork for partnerships. "This is a very repressive culture against the Gospel, and yet there is a small but vigorous and growing and multiplying church." There's great hope for evangelistic opportunities. "For some, they will see this tragedy as an act of punishment for not following their religion closely enough. But many others will see the bankruptcy of their traditional religions and be open to the Gospel in a way that they had not been, previously."
China (MNN) -- Elsewhere, part of China's crackdowns before the Olympics includes confiscating Bibles. House churches already have to share each precious book. World Bible Translation Center's Bible distribution is a constant and methodic process that is year round, but now it needs to be ramped up, says Dale Randolph. "We're not trying to saturate an area; we're not trying to do something overwhelming. We're trying to consistently get Bibles to people who don't have them and at the same time help them to grapple with what the text says and come to know Jesus from that. And its having tremendous results all across the country." Randolph says the heightened security is affecting everyone. "It also makes some difficulty for people who are not doing anything basically related to the Olympics, but trying to continually meet the needs of people there." The strategic placing of small quantities of Bibles means each one costs 4 dollars. Pray that everyone who is spiritually hungry will be able to learn about Christ without difficulty.
Russia (MNN) -- Meanwhile, this summer, Russian Ministries hopes to see 5,000 children from the former Soviet Union at their evangelistic summer camps. The camps will be held in Russia as well as in other places like Chechnya, Moldova, and the Ukraine, where many people struggle with poverty, violence, alcoholism, and the AIDS virus. One boy named Sasha was contemplating suicide before he received Christ at summer camp. Pray that the funds will be raised to allow many children to attend summer camp.
Guatemala (MNN) -- And a Guatemalan church that once met under a metal roof with no walls will soon have a new building, thanks to the help of Orphan
Outreach. It will double as a daycare and preschool. Completion is scheduled for June. The congregation numbers about 100, plus 50 orphans. The pastor's dream of a new church meant his home would be torn down to make room, but Orphan Outreach found out and will replace that as well. Pray for the church to grow because of this.
