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Christians Respond to Flooding as Monsoon Rains Hit Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

 

Thousands of people have been displaced as monsoon rains have hit the island nation of Sri Lanka. Gospel for Asia (GFA) President K.P. Yohannan said the official number of people who died is about 20, but reports from the ministry people in the country are indicating much higher numbers.

“Our people began helping with food and clothing,” he explained. “Some 83,000 families in seven districts were displaced.” Hundreds of homes have been damaged, adding to the crisis in this country where there is ongoing civil unrest. Christians have faced increasing persecution in recent months, but the disaster has opened doors to share the gospel.

“In the midst of suffering and huge problems, people seem to listen,” Yohannan said. “They ask us to pray for them, [and we] tell them about Jesus and hope. Obviously that’s happening. They’re humbled and seek help.”

GFA has a Bible college and about 100 congregations in Sri Lanka. “There are full-time workers who are helping and bringing relief among the people,” he added. GFA workers have also been affected by the flooding as believers’ houses and churches have been damaged, and many need to be rebuilt.

Sources: Mission Network News, Gospel for Asia