October 31, 2011
The following is compiled from adapted excerpts of reports written by Alliance workers David Manfred and Debbie Vik; Jimmy Jacks, a freelance photographer from Hollywood Hills (Florida) Alliance, also contributed to this story.
Southeast Asia, including Cambodia and Thailand, has been enduring significant flooding. In Cambodia, the flooding has been the worst seen in more than 10 years. Recent estimates in a local paper report that as much as 13 percent of this year’s rice crop appears to be lost to the flood. Many homes have been destroyed, and there have been more than 200 flood-related deaths.
In Bangkok, people have been asked to evacuate because of the flooding; the government has turned off water and electricity in some of the more affected areas. Nearly everyone has been impacted one way or another, whether by leaving homes and jobs, being caught in landslides, or suffering from lack of food and water because trucks have been unable to bring supplies to cities due to major road closures. “Several of our churches and members’ homes have water up to the top of their first floor,” reports Debbie Vik.
CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates) has been partnering with Alliance churches and other organizations to help with relief. “This is a wonderful time for Christians to reach out to help suffering fellow Christians and for Cambodian Christians to reach out and help their neighbors,” says Jimmy Jacks. “Pray many will come to Christ via this disaster and caring Christians.”
What You Can Do
Pray for Alliance workers around the world, including those who are ministering to the people impacted by the flooding.