Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings in Jesus' Name.
WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS.
Never in the History of Malkangiri have we ever seen floods. This year the river Saberi and river Seliru met each other and the IMST mission center at Konta went under water for 3 days. The catholic Father Thomas took care of the 35 hostel children and the IMST missionaries. Many families lost their homes and belongings. The government now says over 4000 people in the district of Malkangiri are affected. With finance at Zero level for me and for RHS missionaries, this was the most traumatic and emotional time, as we had to watch the people suffer without being able to do any relief for them. All that we did was pray and took medicines form the shop on credit and supplied prophylaxis and emergency medicines. All our houses had water running on the floor and leaking from the roof, but could manage to have dry beds to sleep at night.
The post flood epidemic has affected most of our missionaries. Romesh became critical and was shifted to Nowrangpur mission hospital where he is recovering. Niranjan K had cerebral Malaria too and is recovering at home. Niranjan G, Swapan and Laban had Malaria. Jyothi and Ranjith have chicken pox. The COM pastor Satyalu's wife Padmaja died of gastroenteritis in the hospital while treating her 6-month son for diarrhoea. She has left behind her 4-year daughter and her 6-month son. This was heart rending. Please cover us with prayer.
Praise God EFICOR came forward to provide food items for 2300 families identified by the government and also for 1000 families tarpaulin. Distribution started on 22nd. Please pray for the coordinator Mr. Green Thomas and their staff and RHS missionaries involved in the distribution work.
Following the flood and the heavy rains, which washed away, the bridges and the telephone cables for 2 km, we were cut off from the rest of the world for 3 days. This is the rainy season for us and so the rains, more than normal is still continuing. The water in most areas is stinking. The electricity and phone connections are still erratic.
I asked the Lord for a promise, as I was feeling very low over various issues. I use 4 different readings for my meditation every morning and when I ask God for a promise, it should be in my regular meditation portion. The promise that God gave me as I was travelling to get the eligibility certificate for Mary was form - Is 43:2 - "When Iris passes through the waters, I will be with her and through rivers, they shall not overflow Iris, when Iris walks though the fire, Iris shall not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle Iris." I told God - "Oh, God I have had enough, from Jan for various reasons I have been much upset - please Lord let me not go through any further troubles - the same day, our Jeep was hit by a heavy loaded Lorry and the Lorry drove away. It was a hit and run case. Remo contacted his friends in SU and so 4 Staff of SU came to the spot to give moral support. Nothing happened to John, Swepan and me but the left wheel guard and the body and the front bumper were all destroyed. The police refused to register an FIR saying, "Go, go we are all on election duty and no one can go looking for the Lorry and any way you are all safe and unhurt. The local people also said - repair the bumper and keep moving, as you are all unhurt. I was upset and as I came out of the police station I saw a new car completely smashed with a head on collision with a heavy lorry. This was a recent accident and I am sure none could have been alive in this car after the accident. So I felt fear and relief and thanked God for His protection. I also feel so grateful that all though we passed through real waters of the rain and the rivers were all over flowing we are all alive. His word and his promise to me is soooooooooo true. Praise Him.
Please continue to uphold all of us and Mary's education in your regular prayers. Her eligibility certificate from the university of Madras is still pending and it is a matter of great concern. Her admission is provisional till she gets her eligibility certificate.
If you are led of the Lord please contribute for the work here as finance continues to be a major problem for us.
Please send all donations in the Name of " MALKANGIRI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT " and send to
Dr. Iris .G. R. Paul,
Founder Director,
Reaching Hand Society,
MALKANGIRI .P.O / Dt.
Orissa - 764045.