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Missionaries Reach Out To Flood Victims

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In late July and early August, monsoon rains brought catastrophic flooding to India and Bangladesh. While heavy downpours are a hallmark of the annual monsoon season, this year's rains were the heaviest in 30 years...
Flood waters rose to the rooftops in many places. Many families were forced to abandon their homes. Some of them camped out on their roofs until they could get back in their homes.
The flood waters inundated entire villages in and are being slow to recede. This building in Assam, India, was still partially submerged several weeks after the flooding hit.
Thousands of homes were completely destroyed by the strength of the water as it rushed through.
The major highway into and out of this district in Assam is still underwater. Situations like this made it impossible for anyone to get in and help the people for several weeks.
The floods also took a heavy toll on this area's agriculture industry. Recently planted rice shoots were uprooted and farm animals drowned. The flood waters also carried sand into the fields, which will make it more difficult to cultivate a crop next year.
GFA World missionaries already working in the hard-hit areas were able to go in and minister to the people soon after the flood waters began to recede. These missionaries were part of a team that visited several villages in Assam.
Their main objective was to get relief supplies in the hands of the people, who were desperate to receive some help.
In one village, they distributed the emergency supplies from the back of their truck.
In this village, the missionaries carried the supplies to the banks of the river to hand them out.
Each family received rice, dried beans, vegetables and cooking oil.
The people who received the emergency food supplies were grateful that someone had taken time to come and help them.
The missionaries also gave everyone a Gospel tract with their food. Many people read the tracts as soon as they received them.
The missionaries shared encouraging words from Scripture with the flood victims.
They also spent time talking and praying with the people. This man is sharing his story about surviving the flood with the missionary.
Many areas are still flooded, and it will take months to rebuild what was destroyed and washed away.
In the meantime, these people have constructed temporary houses on dry ground.
GFA World missionaries are committed to working in these villages for as long as it takes. They will help them rebuild their homes while telling them about Jesus, who can rebuild their hearts.
date posted 09/08/07