Earthquake Devastates Myanmar, Thailand
The MTW Compassion Fund Helps People Across the Globe Impacted by Disasters
YOUR GIFTS RESTORE HOPE
On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, impacting nearby Thailand and the surrounding region. Buildings collapsed, at least one bridge and a dam were destroyed, and roads were damaged. More than 2,000 are now reported dead and rescuers are still looking for survivors.
Praise God, our partners are safe and live far from the earthquake’s epicenter. But our friends in Myanmar feel the effects of the devastation. Most are without water and power. Because of inflation, the high cost of living, and the war, many people live in poverty and struggle to get enough food and basic supplies—and the earthquake has amplified their existing needs. The airport near the epicenter has shut down, and the country’s poor infrastructure has made it difficult for our friends to communicate and travel to provide help in the affected areas.
Please pray:
- For the safety of our friends in Myanmar.
- That the war and logistical challenges would not prevent aid from being distributed quickly and efficiently.
- That God would provide food for those in imminent danger of going hungry.
We are in touch with our friends in the area and will provide updates as we are able. In the meantime, will you consider helping those in need?
Funds received by MTW as part of a disaster response appeal are used for relief and recovery, construction, travel for response teams, and related needs as well as for longer-term rebuilding and church planting. Exceptionally, when there are unspent funds, they will be used in similar disaster and compassion situations.
UPDATES
UPDATE 4-2-25
Our friends in Myanmar are thankful for the prayers of encouragement and people’s willingness to help. They remain safe but have many connections in great need. In one area, the earthquake caused a fire that burned over 700 homes. Our friends report stories of people driving fish and fresh water to this neighborhood and they are trying to channel more aid to this region.
Right now the biggest need is helping with the long-term effects of the earthquake for those who were already suffering. Because of the war, many people were displaced from their homes and living without electricity in 95- to 100-degree weather. Food and supplies were already difficult for the displaced to access and now most crops and resources have been redirected because of the earthquake. The situation is only exacerbated by a low rice yield due to a drought last year. Our friends anticipate tremendous suffering for many people in Myanmar.
CHILE WILDFIRES
RAGING WILDFIRES IN CHILE
Wildfires that started February 2 spread to heavily populated areas west of Santiago and scorched entire neighborhoods in the following days. And estimated 14,000 homes have been lost and over 100 are dead, with many more missing. The fires have hit many in Viña del Mar, where MTW missionaries David & Danielle Grotton and John and Cathy Rug minister.
We’re thankful that our missionaries are safe, but many they serve have lost their homes and more.
Please pray for the Grottons and Rugs as they make plans for how to provide relief to their community and bring the love of Jesus to people whose lives are devastated. Pray for open hearts and God’s provision during this very difficult time.
Update 4-2-24
Two months out from the date of the fires, some progress is visible. The majority of the rubble has been cleared, electricity and water are being restored to certain areas, and some 10´x 10´ emergency houses have been erected on a number of lots. However, there is still an alarming number of families living in tents, and winter is coming soon. Many times the parents are sleeping in the tents and the children are farmed out to unaffected family members or friends. We met a couple who are living in their van while their six children are living in cramped quarters with their grandmother. Unfortunately, since they were living on land that is not theirs (think squatters), building them even a temporary home is complicated. Please pray for a compassionate and legal solution to this and many other situations like it.
An MTW team of volunteer workers arrives this coming weekend, and as they leave to go home, another arrives for a second week of work. Please pray for safe travel, the wisdom to make the best use of their time and talents, and safety on the job. Most of all, despite a language barrier, may Christ be proclaimed.
UPDATE 2-6-24
These have been very, very long days for thousands of people in Viña del Mar. Approximately 4,000 homes have been completely destroyed or seriously damaged, and the death toll is up to 122, of which only 37 bodies have been identified.
We can turn off the television and distance ourselves from the horrible scenes. But those who lost their homes and/or family members live with it day in and day out. Every time they close their eyes they relive the chaotic scenes of panic and death.
A large number of people have decided to camp in tents on their property to protect it from looting. Also, unfortunately evil people are trying to restart the fires in some areas.
One young woman close to MTW missionaries had a harrowing four-hour experience escaping the flames on foot after their car was hit by a panicked driver. The woman, her husband, and two children lost everything. A man who is blind and a participant in the CEMIPRE center ministry to those with disabilities also lost everything. His neighborhood is completely gone. These are just two stories out of thousands.
MTW missionaries and volunteers have been meeting practical needs among the community, caring for the desperate, and showing the love of Jesus. Compassion funds will enable them to provide tangible relief to even more people.
Please pray for the families whose lives are devastated. Pray that they would sense the presence of Jesus and be drawn to Him. Pray for MTW missionaries and volunteers as they seek to meet the needs of those around around them.
Chile Fire Aftermath Gallery
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE
Update: 2/29/24
Ishikawa Disaster Relief Youth Trip
In response to the needs after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Ishikawa on January 1, the MTW Tokyo team brought the youth group of junior high, high school, and college students from Grace City Church to help. Our mission team of 10 total worked with Noto Help, a Christian disaster response group. (Noto Peninsula is where the earthquake hit hardest.) They split into 3 teams.
Team 1 organized Noto Help’s warehouse of donations including blankets, blue tarps, adult diapers, toilet paper, and many other things, and made 122 variety bags full of essential items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, wet towels, soap, disinfectant wipes, etc. to hand out at shelters. They wrote small cards for each of the bags with messages like “We are praying for you!”
Team 2 played a concert at the shelter. Three from the group headed to the largest shelter in the region, which housed over 750 people after the quake. Now almost two months later, 173 people still live there waiting for temporary housing or to find another living space. We received permission from the director of the shelter to give a concert and set up in the lobby just outside the doors to the main room where everyone could hear us. MTW missionary Roger Lowther’s 14-year-old son, Coen, played the koto, the traditional Japanese harp, and Roger played the grand piano. Many people stood in the hallway or sat on chairs to watch and listen. Those who walked by paused for a bit to listen or comment, “Beautiful!” or “I wish I could play that song” or to just wipe tears from their eyes. One woman told us the music was so deeply moving that it gave her peace. “Thank you for today,” she said. “Because of you, I’m going to sleep well tonight.”
Team 3 delivered water in Suzu City, another 2.5 hours north up the peninsula. Most of the buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged by the earthquake and six-foot tsunami that followed. The group brought 60 cases of water to a medical clinic, a shelter in a school, and a private residence. Many sections of the road were impassable due to landslides, frequently requiring the trucks to use hastily made alternate routes.
Prayer Requests
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Pray for the people of Ishikawa Prefecture who are suffering, that they would be comforted.
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Pray that God would meet the spiritual needs of the people in Ishikawa as well as the physical needs.
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Pray that God would use this youth disaster relief trip to grow and mature them in their walk with Christ.
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Praise for protection. A cold front moved into the area coinciding with the trip, causing dangerous snowy driving conditions and discomfort working in unheated buildings.
JAPAN PRAYER REQUESTS 1/31/24
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To date, there are 233 fatalities and 22 missing. Please pray for the grieving and injured.
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Many buildings and homes collapsed. The family of one of our Japanese friends lost their home in the resulting fire. Pray for comfort and guidance for the many families who will not be able to return to their homes.
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The peninsula is difficult to access because of damaged roads and bridges. Many are without power. Running water cannot be restored until roads are fixed. Pray for relief to get where it is needed most.
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Because of the heavy road damage, much early relief had to be brought by plane or helicopter. On January 2, a large passenger jet collided with a Japan Coast Guard relief plane at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (airport closest to us). 5 relief workers died. Pray for the safety of first responders.
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Ishikawa is one of the least-churched areas of Japan at this time. Pray for spiritual needs to be met along with physical needs. (*See note on Christian history below.)
A team of musicians and artists from Grace City Church Tokyo, including students and young adults, is ready to go to Ishikawa to help where needed. Pray for wisdom with the details and good communication and cooperation with the tiny churches in the area.
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Thank you.
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