Press Releases
A Nazarene Love Journey
NCM Update #10 on Tidal Wave Disaster Relief
Printable Version
They called it a “Nazarene Love Journey – Tsunami Thailand”.
Coordinated by Thailand’s NCM Coordinator Ceny Hirahara, a team
from Oikos Church of the Nazarene and members of the Evangelical Fellowship
of Thailand went to visit the areas most devastated by the tsunami
in southern Thailand. While visiting relief camps and damaged schools
in Phuket, PhangNga and Ranong provinces, they focused on the needs
of the children. The team ministered to over 300 children in PhangNga,
teaching them Christian songs, listening to their needs, and praying
with them. Children also received packets of toys and Christian booklets.
While on the Nazarene Love Journey, the team visited four areas in
the PhangNga province where 5,000 people died. This area has hundreds
of people living in tents, many of them from Prathong Island. Families
fled Prathong in fear that another tsunami would completely sink it.
Some expressed to the NCM team that they were afraid to return home
to Prathong and go back to the sea as fishermen. “We lost our
homes, they were washed away,” stated one of the survivors.
“Now we share a tent with other survivors. We just want to live
a normal life in our own homes.” Other survivors shared, “We
have noticed that many Christians come here to visit, help, and encourage
us. You have made us happy. Thank you for coming.” District
Superintendent Rev. Sawat Hahom and NCM are working toward the long-term
goal of opening a Nazarene church in southern Thailand, where there
is currently no Nazarene work. Last week, a Thai Work & Witness
team returned to the PhangNga province to repair two houses in the
Moo 6 village. They purchased rice cookers, gas stoves, ice coolers,
and pots to use for their team, and then donated those items to needy
families after they left. The team, led by Rev. Hahom and Rev. Phanom
Wongsuriya, also offered counseling services and ministry to the children.
They showed the JESUS Film, and eight received Christ. Building on
relationships made in their first Nazarene Love Journey, they are
praying for the Lord to continue to open doors. They hope to continue
relief work and have two Nazarenes establish themselves in the community
in order that they might eventually launch a church in this area.
NEW: NCM Website Rolls Out New Tsunami Section NCM has just released
a new multi-media Tsunami section to its website at www.ncm.org.
There you will find four videos of the tsunami relief work, a new
photo slide show, and seven testimonies videotaped in India and Sri
Lanka. A free Tsunami DVD is also available for order from the website.
With the official death toll now at 287,534, NCM continues to offer
aid, counseling, and rehabilitation efforts to survivors. We are very
grateful for your support.
Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for relief efforts
can mark their checks “Tsunami Relief ACM1762.”
 On-line
using VISA or MasterCard- OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
- and mail to:
General Treasurer
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64131
- In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
- and mail to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office
will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.
NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the
individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand
that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want
to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in
projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2005
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