Let's do our bit for Myanmar

Here is the copy of a blog from Tim Lynn. Please read then pray.

The Salvation Army
Singapore, Malaysia & MyanmarTerritorial Headquarters

Dear friends

Many of you will be aware from news reports over the weekend about the devastating cyclone which has struck a large part of the country of Myanmar. We have been concerned about the destruction of property and the loss of life and the large numbers of people who have been made homeless as a result of this severe storm. It is unusual for such storms to affect Myanmar and many of the houses and buildings are not built to withstand such forceful winds etc.

I have been unable to contact our Regional Headquarters due to the fact that most phone lines are down. However this morning, Major James Aaron, the Regional Officer was able to make a telephone call to me from an outside call box. The major reports some damage to Salvation Army properties in Yangon. The roof of the RHQ and Central Corps building has been completely removed by the force of the wind. This means that there has been significant water damage inside the RHQ and the Central Corps which is located on the ground floor below. As a result of this, equipment and furniture is being relocated to the new Yangon Boys Home and RHQ is setting up operations in some of the new classrooms in this building. The officers quarters building at RHQ which adjoins the corps and office building has not been damaged and so this means that the officers can remain in their present accommodation.

Major James also reports that some roof sheeting on the new Yangon Boys Home has been removed though most of the home remains secure. At the Yangon Girls Home, the main damage has been to the roof of the food storage area which is meant that many bags of rice in storage have been affected by rainwater. In typical Salvation Army fashion, our comrades in Yangon are going to immediately to use this rice to cook meals and distribute these to needy families.

At present, Major James is unable to contact most officers in the central Myanmar area which will have been affected to some degree by this storm. It is likely that some of the towns where The Salvation Army operates have been affected although they are not in the most seriously affected area.

It is uncertain at this stage as to what relief work The Salvation Army will be able to be engaged in as in the country of Myanmar, it is difficult to move in to areas without the permission of the government. Major James and his team are assessing the situation and will be providing me with regular update reports and any request for assistance that might be appropriate.

I know that you will all want to keep the people of Myanmar and our Salvationist comrades in your prayers at this time. We are saddened that many have lost their lives and that others now find that what little they have has been totally destroyed.

I will update you on the situation should any more information come to hand which would help us to keep informed about this matter.

Blessings.
David Bringans
Commissioner
TERRITORIAL COMMANDER


Please pray for Myanmar ~ that the government will allow foreign aid to come in and provide much-needed relief and reconstruction programmes.
Pray for our officers, salvationists and people of Myanmar as they struggle to cope with what has happened.

For David

There is a fellow who travels around the salvo "blog world" who goes by the name of David. He asks questions and provokes both emotion and discussion. He does not appear to believe what many salvationists believe, yet he still asks the hard questions

In chatting to some friends about him I have seen mixed reactions. Some people want to engage him in discussion and show him how he is wrong. Some people want him to "play nice" on our turf. Others want to use the bible to "proof text" so as to show him the error of his ways and bring him into the fold. Only one blogger I have seen has tried to answer his questions with a spirit of truth and respect for both David and the blogger.

I feel sad that this is how we seem to represent ourselves to someone clearly on the margins of salvationist society. I feel sad that the love that Jesus calls us to show is actually so hard to show. (and in this I include myself).

I came across this quote from Archbishop Oscar Romero. It challenged me. I hope you are challenged too!

"Do you want to know if your Christianity is genuine? Here is the touchstone:
Whom do you get along with?
Who are those who criticize you?
Who are those who do not accept you?
Who are those who flatter you?" (November 1977 Sermon.)