In our first report after the devastating Cyclone Nargis hit Burma in May 2008, we mentioned Pele, a middle-aged Burmese tribal woman and fervent evangelist. One of just a few Christians in her town of 12,000 people, she holds an evangelistic service every week. She and her mother are the only two who attend. We didn’t know if she had survived. Thankfully she did and this is her story.
When Cyclone Nargis hit the Delta, I was out visiting the sick and some of the people with whom I had earlier made contact. There was no warning. The wind blowing earlier in the evening was not unusual, so I thought this was just a regular monsoon rainstorm.
That night, we had a prayer meeting. By the time we had finished, the storm was very severe. The house swayed and the surrounding trees began to fall. About an hour into the storm, a large branch fell on the house, destroying one side of it. No one was injured.
We prayed and recited Scriptures from memory. At times we sang, sometimes we stood and at times we hid under the table! Everything was chaos. At some point, I realised this was something very, very unusual and many people could lose their lives.
My mind wondered from place to place and person to person in our village, the children I have been privileged to share the Gospel with, people I know who are interested in the Gospel but have not yet made a decision. I prayed that their lives might be spared.
None of us slept that night. The rainwater was above the floor level and the thunder and lightening made it very frightening.
The next day, when the storm was finally over, I tried to go home but there was no road! Everything was flooded and many houses had disappeared. Some landmark trees no longer existed. I was confused and thought I was still dreaming.
Two days later, when the water receded I finally got home. So many houses, including mine, had been flattened but no one died. I feel like the Lord answered my prayer.
Our village got together to see how we could help one another. I lost no time sharing the Gospel, even while removing branches from the street. I stayed with friends for several weeks until I could contact our Rangoon Bible School office. Roads were washed away but eventually staff reached me with substantial funds. They repaid all the monies I had borrowed and paid for all the items I purchased for people in need.
I am truly grateful that my life is spared and that I could minister to others even in the face of great trial.
Project note: Generous giving by AsiaLink supporters has enabled us to continue helping Pele and her community, including building a new house/church and providing her with a bicycle. Her heart is for the children and she has started a pre-school class attended by 50 of the village kids.