Grace Outreach Ministries Asia
USA

Dear Church, 

“More than two weeks after the cyclone, Burma has yielded only slightly to international pressure by admitting a team of 80 Asian doctors and, in a rare agreement with international aid agencies, has raised its official toll from the disaster to 77,738 dead and 55,917 missing.” (Article: The Age Newspaper Australia)

I have read article after article searching for the truth about the disaster in Myanmar. E-mails have been sent to reputable sources in Yangon, old Rangoon, asking for the truth.  The truth: the military junta, the leaders of Myanmar, has an iron grip on the people of this poor country. It seems that they care more about their own power than the wellbeing of their people. The junta has an oppressive  grip around the necks of the people and because of the junta’s heart of stone they are literally squeezing the life out of those who survived the cyclone Nargis.

The article Survivors recall Nargis's fury, junta's neglect by Jane Armstrong of the Globe and Mail (19 May 2008), exposed the junta’s treatment of the survivors of a region just south of Yangon.  According to eye witnesses “...the country's generals have sealed off the roads outside Rangoon, Myanmar's largest city, to ensure that foreign aid workers don't venture into the stricken region, where up to 2.5 million people were affected by the cyclone.... One contingent of soldiers arrived with a bundle of clothes and a television camera crew. The clothes were handed out to Labutta survivors, but when the cameras switched off, the soldiers took the clothes back and left.”

One survivor urged foreign governments and aid groups to stop negotiating with Myanmar's generals and simply push into the disaster area. “Just drop the food from airplanes. Send ships. Do what you have to,” he said.

Lies are being broadcasts to the people of Myanmar by the junta. The article Tales of misery from Myanmar (THE STAR, South Africa; May 19, 2008) states that “the junta has filled the airwaves with propaganda footage of smiling and grateful citizens receiving aid supplies from generals, but the witnesses have painted a different picture.” These witnesses say “the military just brings in relief goods and takes photos of survivors in front of the aid.” Also they say that “the relief goods are not effectively delivered to those in need.”

This is why GOMA must go. God has called this ministry to be an encouragement to the “underground church” and to the many abandoned or orphaned street children. GOMA wil be carrying God's message to those who need His touch.

GOMA will be arriving in Yangon during the month of June and will continue the humanitarian outreach started by the “underground ministries” in Yangon.  A ministry friend will be arriving at the end of May to spearhead this outreach. Many details need to be worked out prior to GOMA's arrival. Please send this page to anyone that will be interested in praying for us as we do what God has called us to do.

Thank you again for your prayer and financial help. If anyone would like to help by sending financial relief, please send the check to:

First Baptist Church of Mary Esther
28 North Street
Mary Esther, Florida  32569

Please write the check to First Baptist Church of Mary Esther and in the “for” section of your donation write: Myanmar Relief

The church has graciously agreed to be a clearinghouse for this project. GOMA will be leaving soon, so thank you ahead of time for your prayers and generosity.

Blessings,