As a church we have been involved for the past two years in supporting believers in Burma (Myanmar). This came about through an invitation from a Burmese Christian studying in Wales for our pastor, Phil Roberts, to speak at a conference in Burma in February 2006. Following this Phil made a further visit to the country in September 2006. When Cyclone Nargis hit southern Burma devastating the Delta region and severely damaging property in Yangon, the capital, we quickly began to receive emails with news of the destruction and appealing for help. Within two weeks it was arranged for Phil to travel out to Burma and he was able to visit just 3 weeks after the cyclone had struck. Taking the equivalent of £25,000 into the country he was able to distribute this to local Christian leaders engaged in relief work in the Delta region and others running orphanages in the Yangon area that had been severely affected. Subsequently, a further £5,000 has been taken in and we are now seeking to finance longer term projects.
To date, in addition to immediate relief in the form of food to the very poor, the fund has enabled some villages and communities to have pure water supplies, as well as giving money to support the needs of orphanages whose buildings were destroyed.
If you would like to support this work, we have set up an account “Hartshill Bible Church (Burma Fund)” through which to channel gifts. As this is part of a registered charity reclaiming gift aid on donations is possible. Our pastor will be returning to Burma in mid-February with further funds collected. A newsletter is available upon request.
Further details from:
Pastor Phil Roberts
Hartshill Bible Church
121 Hartshill Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffs. ST4 7LU
email: phil@knowlife.org.uk
Photogrpahs: www.tentmaker.org.uk/burma
Photos a1 & a2 show the loss of life which was extensive throughout the Delta region.
Photos a3 to a9 show the damage both to homes and infrastructure
Photos a10 to a11 show a small part of the relief effort
Photos a12 shows two pastors we were able to channel relief through
Photo a14 shows the ongoing need (this was in September).