“We see the hands of God in the midst of natural disaster through Open Doors partners,” says Daw Sun*, a widow with two children whose house was severely damaged by the earthquake in Myanmar earlier this year. “May God bless the givers and the distributors more and more abundantly.” Daw Sun pastors a local house church, and her congregation join together in gratitude.
“We see the hands of God through Open Doors partners.”
Daw Sun
Your gifts and prayers are continuing to support believers like Daw Sun. Thanks to you, Open Doors partners could repair her house. It’s just the tip of the ice berg of the help you’re ensuring: more than 800 families in Myanmar have already received urgent relief (such as groceries, medicine and shelter), and Open Doors local partners are providing long-term support as people rebuild and heal from their experiences. Another challenge faced by believers in Myanmar was bathroom facilities – so local partners provided temporary toilets made of bamboo and wood.
“Halleluiah, Praise the Lord!” says Hla Shwe*, a widow who received support, including a solar lamp – crucial during the post-earthquake power cuts. “We thank God because of you who are helping us in our time of need. May God bless you all!”
“God has not abandoned us”
Your prayers and gifts aren’t just making sure that communities in Myanmar get physical aid – you are demonstrating your love. “We are thankful that God provided for our needs,” shares another believer. “God has not abandoned us in our difficult times.”
“We thank God because of you who are helping us in our time of need.”
Hla Shwe
When Mimi’s* damaged house was repaired by Open Doors partners, it was a witness to her non-believing husband. He could see the love of Christ in the actions of people who don’t know his family but still care for them. “Thank you very much for the help,” says Mimi with gratitude.
“Because of your donations, help and prayers, we are also able to reach out to an orphanage, where children affected by the civil war are taking shelter,” shares Pastor Chan*, a local church leader. “There are many kids who do not have parents. But we are trying to support them with some rice bags, snacks and toys.”
Listening to their trauma
Multiple aftershocks continued even as the partners visited these areas. “We experienced many aftershocks,” shares Daisy Htun*, a local Open Doors partner. “We had no other option but to stay at a hotel that was slightly damaged. We were scared to sleep inside our hotel rooms, looking at the cracked walls of the hotel. We wondered how much more difficult it must have been for the people when the 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit their homes. All the people that we met appeared so traumatised by what had happened.”
In addition to practical aid, Open Doors partners also conducted a trauma debriefing course for believers affected by the earthquake, giving believers an opportunity to share their experiences and help begin the healing process. Spending time sitting with earthquake victims, hearing their stories and their pain, is a crucial part of the support offered by Open Doors partners.
Fears and hopes
Many believers are still living in fear. Some houses and church buildings are fully destroyed while others are partially damaged. Local partners have been able to provide rent for some who have been left homeless, so they can find houses rather than living in makeshift tents.
“It is extremely difficult, but we will continue to journey with the believers.”
Daisy, Open Doors partner
“It is extremely difficult, but we will continue to journey with the believers,” Daisy says. “Our family in Jesus in Myanmar were happy and feel blessed by the provisions they received.”
Thank you so much for your prayers and care for your family in Myanmar. You have changed lives and helped believers who lost everything – because of your support, they know they aren’t alone but have faithful family members in the global body of Christ. Thank you, and please keep praying for all those who are recovering from their experiences, mourning loved ones and starting to rebuild their lives.
*Names changed for security purposes
please pray
- Give thanks for practical and pastoral support of local partners in Myanmar, and pray that they’ll be kept safe, resourced and encouraged as they serve people
- For all those deeply affected by the earthquakes, asking God to pour His comfort, healing, hope and love into their hearts
- For an end to the bombings and the obstacles to aid reaching people.
please give
The devastating earthquake in Myanmar comes after years of conflict and persecution have already made the country a very difficult place for followers of Jesus.
Your gift of HK$110 could provide a month of urgent assistance and relief to three believers in Myanmar.
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