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There was nothing left...

Robert was concerned. The winds had been increasing steadily. He went to the ministry center and the little school to see whether all was well. Then he made his way to see his parents and friends. He knew their meager huts could not withstand a heavy storm. He told them, “Please, take your children and essential belongings, and go to the Catholic or Nazarene ministry centers. You will be safer there!”

Robert started to fear as the storm increased. He went home to his wife and children. They prayed and hoped the Sundarban mangrove forest would keep the worst part of the disaster from them. Evening came.

“Let's go to the shelter. Our girls and we will be safer there!” his wife Alpona admonished him.

Finally, they left. It was pitch dark. The wind howled. Bits and pieces were flying through the air. They finally made it to the center.

Robert and Alpona sat shivering among the crowd as the winds continued to howl. They saw the fear in everyone's eyes. Robert suggested that they pray. They sang some hymns. Slowly, very slowly the wind started to subside. In the morning, he rushed to his home. There he stood with Alpona, tears streaming down their cheeks. All was gone – there was nothing left. But they were grateful that they had made it through the cyclone together alive.

“How many,” they wondered, “would have lost family members or even their lives?”

Robert and Alpona are just one example of hundreds of thousands that have lost everything because of the heavy cyclone in Bangladesh. It was the worst in over 15 years. Over 3,100 people have lost their lives; more than 1,500 are still missing. Many people have lost their homes and their few possessions. The main harvest was destroyed. Hundreds of thousands are suffering and wonder how to make it without food, clean water, or a roof over their head.

The storm destroyed many ministry centers that had been serving the children of the poorest of the poor. They need support so that they can make it through the winter months and begin again.

A gift of $40 (USD) will supply a family with basic food for one month; $42 will replace their household goods; $700 and some hard work will give them a roof over their head; $4,750 will help build a ministry center that will not only serve children and parents, but also work as a shelter during this time of emergency.

Please continue to pray with your brothers and sisters as they recover from this disaster.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can mark their checks “South Asia Disaster Relief ACM1549” and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28,2007

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On-line using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express
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.