Nargis Response

May 8th - August 20th, 2008

AC international partnership in response to Cyclone Nargis

 

Four AC Church Groups Thankful

for NZ/USA/Thai Aid Funds

'Pastor H' - Thankful for Support

Wednesday, 20th August 2008 -- Myanmar

 

(click photos to enlarge)

 

Dear [NZ, USA & Thai supporters],

 

Thank you for your email and send love gift for our ministry and our country.

We use this fund wisely and effectively for who face a difficult and problem by cyclone.

Thank you so much for your helping with in your prayer and lovingly support.

Thanks and God bless you.

 

Sincerely,

'Pastor H'

 

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'Pastor J' - Grateful for Aid Funds Received

Tuesday, 12th August 2008 -- Myanmar

 

Dear [NZ, USA & Thai supporters],

 

I have get your email and refers to four groups. Thank you.

Tell all bothers & sisters, we wish all the best and have many fruitful.

You are in our heart.

Your [love gift] is so great.

 

'Pastor J'

 

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'Pastor T' - Greetings and Thanks Received

Saturday, 9th August 2008 -- Myanmar

 

(click photos to enlarge)

 

Dear [NZ, USA & Thai supporters],

 

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are really thankful to you for the love gift that you sent us.

Your e-mail refresh my heart in Jesus Christ.

Our relief work in cyclone effected area is for rebuilding house for them, providing food, providing clothes, providing fishing boats, fishing nets, water pump, mosquito nets, blanket and sport materials. I send you the pictures of our work in the cyclone effected area and our Church Anniversary.

 

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

'Pastor T'

 

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'Pastor K' - Appreciates the Love Gift Sent

Thursday, 7th August 2008 -- Myanmar

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ [NZ, USA & Thai supporters],

 

We are really much appreciate for the love gift that you sent us through our co-worker [Pastor J] on 5/8/2008.

We are also praying for you and we the ACCM also doing help to our Church members as much as we can. Some times it is difficult to send you pictures so I could not send you the pictures how we are doing.

I also want to inform you about my personal ministry among Nargis cyclone effected area. Now I have four children and one boy, these are because of Nargis cyclone some lost father, some lost mother some lost all the good things that they have. If it is possible I will send you about their short testimony with their pictures.

Brothers and Sisters, we are really thankful to you and also praise God for His great things that He had done to us through you. This is our unceasingly prayer for you, "May the love of the Lord shine up on you and His great blessings be up on you forever".

Looking forward to see you soon.

 

Your truly in Christ,

'Pastor K' [President ACCM- Advent Christian Conference of Myanmar]

 

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Third Love Gift Sent

 More Myanmar Funds Successfully Sent

July 29th, 2008 -- Garry Schäche, Director ACMissioNZ

 

A combined donation of NZD $6,200 was sent to our Myanmar churches last week via Pastor J and our South Pacific agent. This included donations from ACGC USA, Christian Mission of Ban Naratchakwai in Thailand, and from ACMissioNZ supporters in New Zealand (NZD $3,326)

 

This brings the total funds sent to Myanmar via ACMissioNZ to:

NZD $8,007 of New Zealand donations,

NZD $9,206 of donations from USA and Thailand.

NZD $17,213 TOTAL

 

THANK YOU FOR DEMONSTRATING LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN MYANMAR BY SHARING WITH THEM IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

 

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Second Love Gift Sent

 More Myanmar Funds Successfully Sent

June 13, 2008 -- Garry Schäche, Director ACMissioNZ

 

A further NZD $7,000 was sent to our Myanmar family last week via a South Pacific agent. This was largely donations from USA, but also included money donated from NZ.

 

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A Word from the Exec. Director

Advent Christian General Conference

June 11, 2008 -- Rev. Ronald P. Thomas Jr.

 

It might be thought that the "Big News" is the up-coming Triennial Convention. With all that has gone into preparation and planning, it should claim our focus. The tendency is to cover outstanding events, while past occurrences are forgotten and current happenings receive little or no attention. As promising as the Triennial storyline may be, there is news of greater importance.

 

We still grieve over the tragic reports that came out of Myanmar five weeks ago. Cyclone Nargis' death toll may exceed 100,000. The rice-growing heartland was devastated by the storm and more than 2,000 miles of it is still under water. The military junta continues to limit outside aid from being distributed. Our Advent Christian family in Myanmar is suffering and the relief is slow in coming.

 

The good news is that we have found a way to deliver relief funds directly to our church leaders. Our New Zealand brother, Garry Schäche, has established a way of getting these funds to our pastors. The bad news is that food and supplies are scarce and price-gouging is common. As we keep the news from Myanmar before you, we continue to offer a way to help.

 

In our gathering in Naperville, Ill., we represent the coming together of Advent Christians from around the world. I hope it also symbolically demonstrates our joining one another as representatives of Christ's church. In response to the tragic situation in Myanmar, Advent Christians from Thailand, India, New Zealand and the U.S. have collectively responded. This speaks well of our big family.

 

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First Love Gift Received

 Funds Arrived Safely in Myanmar

May 31, 2008 -- Garry Schäche, Director ACMissioNZ

 

A third answer to prayer!

 

After a challenging 14 days the initial 'Love Gift' of NZ$4,000 reached our Myanmar ministries.

 

Depositing a large sum of money into the bank account of someone in another country who you don't know, and trusting them to pass it onto someone in yet another country is a little scary. You are vulnerable and at very much at their mercy. We did experience delays and communication limitations in the process, but the real frustration was knowing that our family in Myanmar continued to suffer through that time.

 

[Pastor J] warned us: "You have to [be] careful and know about it: some agent, they use the money for their business for four days or one week, and then send to the owner. Some time they will not open their hand-phone. Some times this kind of business people, will says lower or less exchange rate."

 

Despite the frustration and delay the first 'Love Gift' did get through and we have received an excellent exchange rate and the bonus that no agent commissions have been taken.

 

NZD1 = MMK750 (est. black market rate)

 

Please tell to your NZ and USA, The money will not use for our own glory. Your money will [be] going for:

1. water, rice, clothes, medicine, shelter, who are in need etc.

One litre drinking water 1000 kyats (NZ$1.35). One bag rice else 35000 kyats (NZ$46.65). Food and other thing are so cost.

2. to rebuild for their house

3. to orphan[s], widows

4.  burial for believers, bus fee, buy land, need for burial, we spend  500,000 kyats (NZ$666) over for one person.

5. still I and some of our student do not have rent house. We stay in our friend and brother house. We are searching a new rent house. To rent one house like 100,000 (NZ$133), 150,000 (NZ$200), 200,000 (NZ$266) (one month per pay)

This is the most I and student humbly request you to pray for this matter.

There are still we need a lot of things.

We are praying to God with our tear and broken heart.

[We] ask help to the one who want to help us - you can be a part of this mission. Just pray for us. We trust God.

 

'I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.'

 

Ready for Christ, prayerfully looking for you

[Pastor J]

 

PRINTABLE VERSION (A4-PDF)

PRINTABLE VERSION (8.5x11-PDF)

 

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A Word from the Exec. Director

 Advent Christian General Conference

May 21, 2008 -- Rev. Ronald P. Thomas Jr.

 

Myanmar - The full impact of the disastrous Nargis cyclone is yet to be realized. The death toll continues to increase, now approaching 50,000. The number of those still missing is staggering, and, while the national leaders have been a bit more open to outside assistance, the relief efforts are still being delayed by government intervention.

 

Photo © 2008 World Vision Staff

We reported two weeks ago of our immediate response by releasing $5,000 through World Vision as they were best situated to deliver aid to the hardest hit areas. At the same time we were trying to connect with our AC churches to determine their condition as well as to establish a means by which aid and assistance could be directed to them. Contact was established, and "with tearful hearts" pastor J reported there has been loss of life and property among our people. As we were receiving the early reports, Garry Schache, our AC brother from the New Zealand Conference, called me and expressed his passionate commitment to do all he could to establish a means by which we could be of help to our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. We are pleased to report at this time that Garry has opened a door that holds great promise to safely and securely deliver funds to Pastor J. The Advent Christian New Zealand Conference has sent an initial gift to verify the reliability of the method of delivery. Upon confirmation from Pastor J they are ready to send additional funds, and ACGC is also ready to add to the funds to be released.

 

It has been heart-wrenching to listen from a distance to what has and is happening in Myanmar. But how encouraging and uplifting it is to be able to join hands with our New Zealand family - to extend hands and hope to those who are suffering. We are truly blessed by this partnership that is defined by Christ and his love for his church.

 

We are continuing to receive contributions for this relief effort. Your gifts can be sent to ACGC at PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28227 and designated for Myanmar Relief. Or you can click here and make an online donation using Paypal.

 

Thank you for your prayers and support.

 

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Relief Funds Despatched

 Aid Funds to Myanmar Advent Christians

May 17, 2008 -- Garry Schäche, Director ACMissioNZ

 

A second answer to prayer!

On Friday, May 16, ACMissioNZ advanced NZ$4,000 to our Myanmar family through an agent in [another Pacific Country].

 

Pastor J, our Myanmar Conference leader, informed us of a Burmese contact living in [another Pacific Country] who is able to wire funds into Myanmar. The contact's family in Myanmar know Pastor J and will hand on funds directly to him. After making positive contact we advanced initial funds immediately. We wait for confirmation of receipt from Pastor J.

 

This comes just prior to mobilising a plan, in conjunction with Advent Christian General Conference of America (ACGC) and Christian Mission of Ban Naratchakwai (our Thai Advent Christian Mission), to send someone from New Zealand and Thailand to the Thailand/Myanmar border to rendezvous with Pastor J and hand over NZ & USA funds to be smuggled back into Myanmar.

 

The border crossings would certainly have jeopardised Pastor J's life and the operation presented potential risk for the couriers and our Thai Mission.

When asked if he would be able to cross the border with hidden money Pastor J said "yes, I will ask those who have authority [to cross the border], and pay some money. As for me, to live is Christ, I am ready for Christ whatever may be. I am willing to take the risk of catch by authorities".

We are thankful to God that a more secure method of getting funds through has been opened up to us, but as Pastor J warns: "this is so danger[ous] for us, if the government know about. We have to [be] careful. Please know that sometime the email will not work, because of the government..."

Please pray for a safe hand-over of funds and for the contacts who take a risk in passing funds through.

 

PRINTABLE VERSION (A4-PDF)

PRINTABLE VERSION (8.5x11-PDF)

 

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Rendezvous in Planning

 Advent Christian General Conference USA

May 14, 2008 -- from Tim Fox, World Outreach Director

 

Advent Christian Missions New Zealand (ACMissioNZ) and Advent Christian General Conference (ACGC) are partnering together for the purpose of raising relief monies for Advent Christians in Myanmar. Further contact with Pastor J has been made and a rendezvous is in the planning stages.

 

Now is the time to give in order to get the donations directly to our Advent Christian family in Myanmar for a hand-off delivery.

This is a risky operation and calls for much prayer.

 

If you’d like to help, make gifts payable to ACGC, and mail to PO Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28227

Please designate your gift for Myanmar relief.

Thank you for standing in the gap.

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By Any Means Possible...

Committed to get donations through

May 9, 2008 -- Garry Schäche, Director

 

Nearly one week after Cyclone Nargis struck, the Myanmar Military is still not allowing foreign aid through the borders to help their desperately needy people. The military want to appear to be the only ones helping their people, but the truth is their efforts are lacking horrendously while the death toll escalates and with it the threat of Typhoid, Malaria and other diseases for those who survive...

 

Given that ACMissioNZ is a denominational mission - we believe our funds, and the donations of our supporters and givers, should primarily reach the people of our sister churches and organisations in Myanmar.

(There are: 58 churches, 69 full-time pastors/workers, 2,600+ members, 2 Bible Schools with 38 students, 2 orphanages housing 22 children).

 

This presents a seemingly impossible task for us

given the tight control Myanmar has on it's borders, it's people, and money coming in or out - not to mention the fact that lives will be at stake.

With God ALL THINGS are possible!

We take these factors and risks very seriously when we say that

ACMissioNZ is committed to get donations through

to our Myanmar family.

 

We were relieved to receive the above communication from Pastor J, but as you read through his email you get a sense of the desperation and urgency the situation brings. His plea for help is very clear.

We are currently working together with ACGC World Outreach, other individuals in the Asia-pacific area and Pastor J to explore several ways of getting funds into Myanmar...

...by any means possible.

 

Please pray for our efforts

- that God will open a way for us to successfully connect with Pastor J to hand over the funds or aid they so desperately need.

 

Your donation counts

- we thank those who have given generously already, and we want to give as many as possible the opportunity to support the cause.

 

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

1 John 3:17

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Cyclone Nargis Response

Advent Christian General Conference (USA)

May 8, 2008 -- from Ron Thomas, Executive Director

 

The news of the devastating cyclone hitting Myanmar is continually being updated to reflect the escalating numbers of deaths and displaced victims. At the time of this writing the loss of life had been posted as exceeding 20,000.

We have made attempts to contact our church and conference leaders. Through the efforts by our offices and the effort of our mission in India, we have not yet been able to reach anyone that can give us a report on how our Advent Christian brothers and sisters.

At the same time, we have decided to immediately release US$5,000.00 from our emergency relief fund to be applied to the rescue and relief efforts under the direction of World Vision International.

As we have done in the past, we invite anyone who can contribute to this effort to do so. Checks should be made out to ACGC, designated for Myanmar. You can send your gift to us, at P.O. Box 690848, Charlotte, NC 28227 and we will forward it on to World Vision.

At the same time, if we are able to establish reliable contacts with our people in Myanmar, and are able to insure a secure way of providing assistance, we would choose to do so. The need is immediate! Two million have been affected by the storm.

World Vision has worked in the country for 40 years and has launched a full-scale response. They have proven themselves to be a dependable partner in ministry and they are best suited to deliver the desperately needed services and support. For an update on their work click on Cyclone Nargis kills thousands; World Vision responding

Thank you again for your compassionate response to this appeal for help.

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Official website of Advent Christian Missions New Zealand, Inc.