GFA Compassion Services Responds to Monsoon Floods

In response to India's worst monsoon flooding in history, Gospel for Asia's Compassion Services has launched relief efforts in the four most-affected states. Over 4,000 families have received aid from 300 GFA staff members, missionaries and Bible college students.

Based on surveys of what was needed in each area, the GFA teams provided rice and other food items; blankets, clothes, building materials and vocational supplies—and the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In one district of Maharashtra state (central India), a GFA team of 30 held a two-day camp to provide relief for 500 families.

"The fear and agony of the heartbreaking suffering could be seen on the face of every villager who witnessed the disaster," a correspondent wrote. "The news about the GFA relief work spread like wildfire. Within no time, hundreds of people rushed to receive the grain and essential commodities."

Before distributing the materials, a pastor on the GFA team explained the message, "Because of the love of Jesus," which was printed on their t-shirts.

Many villages that are completely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood lost their entire crop. Farmers in these areas face difficulties and are often caught up in debt. One result was that the high suicide rate went up during the devastating floods. In August 110 farmers committed suicide in one state of India, leaving their widows to care for the family—and pay off the debt. Gospel for Asia teams are ministering to these widows, bringing the hope of the Gospel along with tools necessary to continue farming.

In areas close to the sea, many people were still recovering from the 2004 tsunami only to be hit by yet another flood. In these areas the main work is fishing. GFA teams have already been in many of these areas doing tsunami relief work, and again they are there sharing the compassion of Christ through food, clothes, and fishing supplies.

In many places the roads were washed out by the floods. Yet one team reached five villages, "enthusiastic to accomplish the mission at any cost," our correspondent wrote. One GFA pastor helped distribute aid to 500 people in his village, although he is still staying in a government shelter after losing his own house to the rushing waters.

In one of the farming communities, a mudslide had wiped out over half the village overnight. Through seeing the GFA team's compassion, four families joined the local church. In addition some reporters and government officials wanted to hear more about Jesus. In a fishing community, three villagers who had visited the church—but were still involved in witchcraft—decided to turn and follow Jesus.

One 70-year-old woman, grasping the relief materials in her hands, said, "On behalf of my husband, son, daughter and grandchildren, I want to say I am deeply grateful to the church and to the Lord Jesus Christ for this precious and timely help in our time of need."