Dear Friends,
The second team of 11 men came back from the Delta on Tuesday, 24 June, exactly a week after they set off. They purchased the tractors for the two villages that needed them with borrowed money, which I promised would be reimbursed. Bags of rice and curry beans (the bigger version of “dhall”) were distributed, with cooking oil and tarpaulin sheets, to six villages on the islands of Haingkyi and Pinsaloo. The young doctor who accompanied the team was exhausted but happy to be useful.
I am making a short trip to Yangon, from tomorrow 28 to 30 June, to deliver funds and some boxes of surplus clothing. The plan is to have two teams of local men go out instead of one. That would entail renting another pickup. Water pumps would be used to clean up wells. Money would be brought for churches to buy tractors and fuel. From what I gathered, foreigners are still not allowed to go to the region of the Delta. This would contradict the reports of foreign aid workers being allowed in. The few who are allowed in would probably be confined to designated zones. One pastor is working with UNICEF to rebuild 80 houses. If such organisations focus on building houses, we would probably contribute to the rebuilding of churches that have been destrroyed. This is speaking of long-term relief. In the mean time, much needs to be done to help the victims to have reasonable shelter, food and drinking water during the rainy season, and to begin ploughing the land so that their need of food would not be prolonged.
My well-used laptop computer finally broke down, which has hampered work. I will be uploading news on the Gospel Higwhay website once it is repaired, or a new one acquired. I would value prayers for the visit to Yangon this weekend.
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