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Category : Prayer Force Update :
Severe Flooding in Bangladesh
Over this past weekend, a tropical cyclone hit the nation of Bangladesh. The cyclone precipitated violent storm rains which resulted in widespread flooding affecting Foursquare churches, families, and the nation at-large.
Church buildings and the homes of many believers were decimated or significantly damaged. The basic home design is this: thatched roof/sides with bamboo structure and mud floors. Typically, heavy rains, wind and flood waters loosen the foundation poles, knock homes and buildings down and sweep them away. Though floods are an annual occurrence in Bangladesh, the floods resulting from this cyclone have been the worst seen in recent history.
As reported by the national leader of Bangladesh, the damages thus far are as follows:
- Satkhira District: Five churches destroyed, 150 church families affected by flood damage, two pastors and 25 church family members' homes destroyed;
- Khulna District: Three churches destroyed, 200 believers affected by the floods, two disciples' houses destroyed;
- Bager Hat District: 29 foursquare families affected in Bharashapur by heavy rainfall and flood waters, Bharashapur church immersed in water, 70 families families affected in Kalkebari and Mongla (new church plant area), many houses destroyed;
- Jessore District: Four churches destroyed, 250 believers family affected by cyclone and flood waters, rice and crop fields submerged, and 50 houses destroyed.
- Dinajpur District: Three churches destroyed, 175 families affected by the cyclone and heavy rainfall. All rice and crop fields were damaged by flood waters, the houses of two pastors were destroyed.
- Continued rainfall has affected Foursquare churches in other districts, and has damaged rice and vegetable fields, though not critically.
Prior to this cyclone, great expansion of the church was taking place. There were 39 congregations led by 37 leaders and disciples and, in 2006 alone, 300 new believers were baptized. The church in Bangladesh was agressively targeting 36 new church plants for 2007. Please pray for God to calm the storms in Bangladesh and meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all affected in the nation. Pray also that the plans for expansion would yet go forth.
If you would like to send a financial gift to help aid the re-building process, please contribute to the Foursquare Relief Fund. $750 would fund the cost of a basic church building structure that could withstand this type of flooding (poles in cement with brick, and a cement floor). A contribution of any denomination would be greatly appreciated; prayerfully consider giving to the relief fund today. Designate checks to Bangladesh Relief, and mail them to:
Foursquare Missions International
PO Box 26902
Los Angeles, CA 90026-0176
Thank you,
Mike Larkin
Vice President, Director of Global Operations and Missions
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