Crawling deep into their hearts

Mr. Suda, laughing with the church team.

They hardly knew any Japanese, but a church team from Singapore was in Japan to show God’s love with their acts of service.  As one OM worker writes, “what they could do in those few days were so limited, but I believe God has used them in an amazing way through their attitudes. With very little words, they could crawl deep into the hearts of many Japanese people.”

One of those people was Mr. Suda, whose house was being cleared of rubble by the church team.  For the first few days he was quiet, not offering a greeting for the team.  "At first I was so disappointed”, said one of the volunteers, “he didn't even bother to thank us, but then I realized my pride. Am I serving God or man? I also realized that my few days of hard work under the scorching sun, in the filthy smelly water, removing damaged house items from the owner's house, is nothing in comparison with what he has lost during the tsunami."

The next day, Mr. Suda greeted the team with a whispered thank you. On the last day, during an afternoon break, he sat with the team and began to talk.  They were able to explain their beliefs as Christians, and even pray for Mr. Suda and his neighbor.  By day’s end, he was not only smiling, but dancing and joking around with the team.

A team member said, "What we do is so little, just like drops in a bucket. But many drops make a pond, and many ponds make a flood."

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:10  

Please continue to pray for the people of Japan. You may also give toward OM’s work in Japan, and learn how you can go on a relief trip.  Thanks for your partnership.

You are needed in Japan.

Ready for a tough assignment? Help sort through rubble in one of the most devastated areas of Japan. Learn more about the trip here and pray about going.

"You people look like magicians"

Rebuilding continues in Pakistan after widespread flooding last year.  Mission Network News recently wrote about the efforts of groups committed to the rebuilding, including OM.  After a critical school building was spared, the principal was amazed at the speed with which the teams worked.  He said, "I am so impressed by the way these people are working. I cannot believe how they finished a few months' job in few days. If you had not been able to finish this, our army planned to occupy this in a few days' time. You people look like magicians; now you have a boundary wall, and the land is enclosed once more."  You can read the entire article at mnnonline.org.

Learn more about giving to relief work in Pakistan.

"Where were you when the tsunami hit?"

This man watched his home wash away in the tsunami.

One village where OM Japan is working had 100 houses before the tsunami hit. Only 12 remain now, and many villagers are still unaccounted for. One family lost their cousin, a fireman, during search and rescue. OM has been helping remove the foundation of their house, to make way for a temporary home the family will receive.

OM ministry leader Stephan Smithdorff writes,

One of the highlights of working side-by-side with these precious people, is to sit down during lunch and tea breaks with them and to listen to their stories. Our favorite question is: 'Where were you when the tsunami hit?' One elderly neighbor said he was at home, but he ran up the hill, and watched the waves wash away his house in front of his eyes. It must be hard to see all your possessions drifting away into the ocean.

One elderly lady kept on cursing the tsunami for ruining their lives, but as the days went by, she stopped cursing and started to thank us for coming to help, pleading with us to come back again.

While Ming Siew, one of our team members, took a prayer walk at sunrise, she was invited in by two brothers who have lost both their wives and all their children, except for one daughter. Two days later while some of us sat in a local public bath, the man sitting in the bathtub with us, was one of the brothers! Instead of us encouraging him, he kept on encouraging us in our volunteer work.

Slowly we can see relationships are expanding as we return to the same area week after week. Everyday brings another opportunity to pray for people and see God at work in the lives of our dear new friends. We stand amazed and humbled at the privilege to be part of what God is doing in Japan today.

Please continue to pray for the people of Japan.  You may give to OM's relief efforts here.

VIDEO: update on Pakistan floods

An encouraging look at the massive efforts undertaken by OM Pakistan since the flooding there last year. You can still give to the relief work there from the U.S. through the Pakistan Flood Relief page.

one child, one school

Story of the difference education is making among the Dalit people group of India, called by some the most persecuted group in the world.

miracle and motivation in Pakistan

One OM Pakistan team had a flat tire.  In the tire repair shop they met a Muslim man and gave him a New Testament.  A week later, they saw the man again and he told them, "I was reading about the miracle of Jesus and I thought of praying for my sick relative. I said, 'God, if the power of Jesus still works, heal him.' The same day, the sick patient was healed.”

In another city, a team member took his family to visit other families displaced by the flood.  It was during the three-day celebration called Eid in Pakistan, the end of Ramadan, normally marked by celebrations and gift-giving.   But this year, it was a time of despair for many.  Homeless from the floods, the displaced families were very happy that someone spent time with them.  They said, “We cannot forgot this moment until the end of our life; while we were hungry you fed us and you visited us.”

Each of the three OM teams are being strengthened by reports like this.  But physically it is difficult.  One leader motivated his team saying , “We are all very tired but let's allow our enthusiasm to continue until the final bag has been delivered to those in need.”  And they have.  The number of families served is now over 4,300 (around 30,000 individuals).  Medical teams have helped over 4,200 patients.  Thanks for your gifts and intercession.

Please continue to remember the OM Pakistan team in your prayers.  Pray for their strength, their protection, and for continued wisdom and leading of the Holy Spirit.  Click here to give to OM Pakistan flood relief.  $35 feeds a family of 6 for two weeks.

signs of life among the ruins of Pakistan

“There is still 2-3 feet of water standing in different areas," says the OM Pakistan team leader, "The city looks like the ruins of a ‘lost city’, as the devastation is enormous.”  But his team continues bringing good news to the people of the region.  Women on the team began providing henna tattoos to the local women, as a way of lifting their spirits.  These tattoos are made with a temporary pigment, normally in intricate paisleys and lace-like patterns.  But the ladies on the team are drawing henna gospel designs.  Applying the tattoos is a lengthy process, which makes for a relaxed time of sharing the gospel with local ladies.  Many of the ladies are illiterate, so these pictures are a powerful way to communicate God's story.  And it will stay with them -- the henna designs should last about two weeks.  Please continue to pray for these ladies and their families.  Pray for God's provision for them, for their safety, and for openness to the love of Jesus.
  

Pakistan update page

To keep current on news from the Pakistan flood, bookmark omusa.org/pakistan.  The timeline has been moved to this page and more updates are being added.  Thanks for your continued prayers and support for the Pakistani people.  Your gifts are crucial during this time.

Give to Pakistan flood relief.

URGENT prayer needed for Pakistan

Families patiently awaiting food distribution last week.

Not all crowds have been this calm.

Please pray for peace as food deliveries continue throughout the country.

The crushing need for immediate aid in Pakistan grows.  Many people are now sleeping on major roads, with their homes gone and nowhere to get food.  The OM team there has been working round the clock assessing needs, handing out food, and running a medical clinic.  The team is asking that you pray strength for them.  Pray the Lord would renew them physically.  Pray for their protection as crowds are growing increasingly more desperate for food and therefore more aggressive.  Flooding continues today, even reaching areas initially spared by the waters.  Pray for an end to the flooding.  Pray against disease and famine.  Pray for God's provision for the people of Pakistan.

Your gifts are allowing the team in Pakistan to provide aid during this crucial time.  Thank you for giving to Pakistan flood relief.

feeding the 5,000 in Pakistan

With warnings of more floods to come, OM Pakistan continues working in teams to provide dry goods to those who have firewood and cooked food to those who do not.  A team leader says:

Our desire is to provide a daily meal to 500-600 families every day. It means that we should be ready to feed 4,000-5,000 thousand people.

To help them accomplish this, the team hired a local professional cook who regularly prepares for large groups.  Please continue your prayers for Pakistan.  Pray for relief from the rain, and pray strength and continued wisdom for the OM Pakistan team.  You can help by giving to OM Pakistan flood relief. Thank you. 

adapting to changing conditions in Pakistan

OM Pakistan continues to seek the Lord for wisdom as the need grows larger from two weeks of constant flooding.   The relief team is thankful for a local church that has offered to partner with them.  They will be bringing food to many, including 100 families sheltered at a Christian Center.  About half the families are Christian, the other half Muslim or Hindu. 

After taking food to a local hospital, the team found that medicine was in short supply, particularly anti-venom for snake bites.  One leader said the team was "shocked over the rate of patients receiving medical aid from the hospital. Almost every family was suffering with skin infection, high grade fever, stomach problems and other diseases spread during the floods."  He added:

While our objective is to save the lives of people by providing them food we do not want to see them dying with diseases. We feel this is an emergency need and are going set up a three-day medical camp with the help of our partner. These three days are very important to see what is the result of it and what is the response of people. There will be four doctors for checkups. The estimated cost of the one day's medicine will be about $800.

Can you help get medicine to the people of Pakistan?  Thanks for your gifts to Pakistan flood relief.

Would You Take Food From Christians?

Delivering food to flood victims, an OM team arrived at the Madrasa, or Muslim seminary. "We asked the chief Mullah if they needed food," said a team leader, "They said they were very hungry and had not eaten in the last 2 days. We asked if they would like to take food from Christians. They said, 'We think you are better than our Muslim who is selling food with very high price.' They accepted food packets from our team and were very happy."

The team marked each bag with a sticker that says in the local language:



HELP FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
From: Pakistan Christian Brothers
Contact: Christian Brother N
Phone No.: xxx xxx xxxx



Pray that many long-term connections will be built as OM Pakistan continues to serve their neighbors during this time. Pray for many workers to come alongside, as the scope of this tragedy continues to grow.

You can give to Pakistan Flood Relief Here.  Thanks for your help and prayers.

OMusa.org

Serving in Dangerous Conditions

It has not been easy to deliver food to stranded families in the flooded streets of Pakistan.  A leader explains,

Most of the houses are very badly damaged and it is dangerous to live in them because the walls are cracked. We visited a school where around 250 families have been living for the last few days.

Some sources are already calling this the worst disaster in human history, and it is ongoing.  Water levels keep rising as rain continues.  Many people have been asked to move to safer ground. One area that was already flooded is in danger of flooding again.  In these drastic conditions, the team continues to find many who have been unable to find or prepare even the most basic meal.  Dry firewood is becoming scarce, so in addition to dry goods, OM Pakistan is also beginning to deliver pre-made meals.

Please keep praying for this team.  They face tough physical conditions, including a couple instances of violence.  They continue to adapt their distribution to these ever-changing conditions and ask your prayers for wisdom.  Pray for their protection and for God's peace throughout the region.

Thanks for your help reaching those displaced by the flood.  Click here to purchase a $25 food packet.

OMusa.org

Pakistan Flood Relief Update

It is being called the worst disaster in human history.  Not in lives lost, but in people affected, over 14 million so far have been displaced, hungry, or homeless.  OM Pakistan is working to meet the most immediate needs of getting food to those with no resources.

In the first few days of floods in Pakistan, OM teams delivered food to nearly 1,000 families, and their work continues. One recent development is the beginning of Ramadan, which includes the observance of daily fasting. During Ramadan it is illegal to distribute food between dawn and dusk, so any relief work must be done at night. Please pray that those needing food would be able to get to it safely.

We thank you for your help getting food to Pakistani families. You can buy a food packet for $25.

OMusa.org

George offers two free books on coping with suffering

While visiting Hiroshima & Nagasaki in Japan, OM founder George Verwer offers a free Randy Alcorn book, Why God Allows Suffering and Billy Graham's Peace with God.  To get your free books, write George directly.  

Pakistan needs your help

OM Pakistan is working under extreme conditions to get food packets out to neighboring families.  They have no electricity and rains continue to threaten the region.  But supplies are thankfully still available in cities on higher ground.  So the team there is buying food, assembling it into family packets, and distributing them to those left homeless by the flood.

You can reach out to those hardest hit by purchasing one or more of these food packets.  Each costs  $25, and will supply a local family with flour, sugar, cooking oil, and lentils.  Buy a food packet by clicking here.

Please continue to pray for OM Pakistan, that they would have the strength and the wisdom they need during this time.  Pray they would make many lasting relationships within the community.  Already, many local people have volunteered to help with the distribution.  Praise God for these helpers!  And thanks for remembering the people of Pakistan in your prayers.

George Verwer in Singapore with Doulos

OM founder George talks with Eric Saw, new steward of the former OM ship Doulos. Saw gives an overview of the exciting plans he and his team have for the ship.

give food for flood victims

People in the Sindh province of Pakistan remain on high alert as the rivers and flood waters are expected to continue rising there.  Please pray for the people of this area, and for the thousands already displaced or isolated due to heavy flooding.

OM Pakistan is reaching out to 1,000 local families in the hardest hit areas with food packets.  You can help their relief efforts by purchasing these packets for $25 each.  Each includes flour, sugar, cooking oil, and lentils.  Buy a flood relief food packet here.  Thanks for your gifts to the people of Pakistan.  Subscribe to this blog for updates from the field.  

South Korea & Uruguay: World Cup Prayer Guides

The South Korea World Cup team for 2010.

 As part of OM's World Cup Outreach,
join with us and pray for two of the participating countries.

Here is a World Cup Prayer Guide for South Korea and a
World Cup Prayer Guide for Uruguay.  

 

Team Uraguay 2010.