08/24/2005: Prayer Needed for GFA Workers Affected by Flood-Related Diseases
Prayer Needed for GFA Workers Affected by Flood-Related Diseases
More than three weeks have passed since Mumbai (Bombay) was inundated with heavy flooding caused by record rainfall, and now several Gospel for Asia staff members are suffering from water-borne diseases. They are among millions of people who remain in jeopardy because of contaminated water.
GFA President K.P. Yohannan, now in India, has called for prayer for those who have fallen victim to the epidemic.
The flooding alone claimed over 1,000 deaths-and those were just the ones reported. It is hard to say how many have died in the slum areas, home to 5 million of the city's population of 16 million. These millions of slum dwellers live in little makeshift huts with dirt floors, offering them no protection from contaminated water rushing in.
And this exposure has caused an outbreak of leptospirosis, typhoid, malaria and other diseases. Well over 100 people in the affected areas have already died of water—borne illnesses, while thousands more suffer from high fever and other symptoms.
Among the suffering are a number of GFA staff members, 10 students from GFA's Mumbai Bible College, and area Believers Church pastors and family members. At least two—GFA Bible college student Victor and Bible college staff member Thomas—have been reported in critical condition.
Yet in the midst of such trauma, dedicated GFA workers have been ministering with the love of Jesus to desperate people hurting and without hope.
In the first phase of flood relief, GFA relief workers and missionaries distributed food to hundreds of families who had lost so much. Later they gave out bed linens and towels as needed.
"As people were in need, they were very grateful for the timely help we could render to them," writes a GFA leader. He adds, "We want to thank each and every one of you for your earnest prayers for us during the difficult and hard times the people of Mumbai are facing."
Please pray for complete healing of all GFA workers who are ill so they can continue to be Jesus' hands and feet among the hurting people around them. Pray that the spread of these life-threatening diseases will be supernaturally stopped. Pray for strength and stamina for each missionary, pastor and Bible college student ministering among flood victims as they seek to be agents of Christ's compassion. Most of all, please pray that the Lord will use this situation for the salvation of many.
