In late May, Cyclone Aila hit southwestern Bangladesh, an almost exclusively Muslim area, destroying more than 100,000 livestock and 65,000 acres of crops, damaging 241,000 acres (representing very small farms), destroying 240,000 houses and damaging 352,000. Gratefully, only a few hundred lives were lost. As cyclones go, it was small. You probably haven’t even heard of it.

Unfortunately, I can’t tell you to watch the news because there’s been little or no coverage of a “small” disaster in this poverty-stricken, neglected corner of the planet where disasters are not unusual. You won’t see video of people wandering around seeking shelter, food, and water. There are no images of hungry, crying children or their desperate parents. You won’t see the face of the young mom whose entire family is dead except for her young son. You’ll just have to imagine all of that. But it is real and it is personal.

With the cyclone, which we would call a hurricane, an eight-foot tidal surge swept over the entire area, submerging it for days. As the waters have begun to recede, the immediate danger is subsiding, and efforts are focused on dealing with the aftermath. Water levels are still high, houses remain submerged, drinking water has been contaminated, and there is a growing risk of disease as a result. These desperate conditions have been compounded by the onset of the rainy season. I can tell you that many more lives may be lost in the aftermath than were lost in the storm. There is far more work to do than what can be accomplished in the short term.

In the midst of terrible suffering, we have great opportunity to proclaim the gospel in word and deed. In fact, it may also be an unprecedented opportunity for church planting. We are working with a long-time national partner in the area (name omitted for security), a man of proven leadership and vision. He has already developed a detailed plan, based on past successes, that moves from meeting immediate needs all the way to church planting with everything in between. He is mobilizing local resources as quickly as possible, including Christian health workers. Also, the Bangladesh government is showing an openness that gives Christians more freedom to work.

With your help, we hope to step into this situation with the love and compassion of Christ, not only in the short term, but beyond. We believe God will use this tragedy for good in the lives of many people, even their eternal good. Thank you for standing with us by your commitment to support this ministry. To your giving, would you also add your prayers? In the words of our national partner: “I sense that you are very much concerned for our country and the believers. Thank you for that. I appreciate all of you.”

To give, you may send your check to the address below, and mark #93988-MMBD09WEB on your check. Or you may give online here.

Sincerely in Christ,

Paul D. Kooistra, Coordinator