"One of our correspondents was at the Bible college in Rangoon when the storm hit. He was able to obtain information and get on one of the only flights out of the country to deliver a report and photos of the devastation," said Gospel for Asia President KP Yohannan.
The cyclone hit at about 2:30am. By daylight the full effect of the storm was obvious. Homes were destroyed, and giant trees had crashed through buildings and were lying uprooted, blocking roads.
The news that is trickling out of the country is horrifying. The death toll is estimated to be at least 15,000 and another 2,700 are missing.
"The people in Burma live in clusters of small communities in simple bamboo structures," Yohannan explained. "These villages are not made of concrete. I imagine that literally hundreds of these simple structures were just blown away. We are praying here in India and are asking Christians around the world to join us."
More than 80 people-along with 70 children from a nearby orphanage that was destroyed-made their way to the Bible college campus as soon as the storm subsided. Buddhist monks are also at the college, seeking assistance.
Local officials set up shop at the Bible college because the police station was completely destroyed. The police have asked for help from the staff at the college. At present, the students are away on their summer vacation. This freed up space to accommodate many who came for help.
GFA missionaries serve at about 400 churches and 250 mission stations in Burma. In 2006, the military-run government of Burma forbade foreign non- government organisations from doing aid work in the country. In the face of this disaster, the government is now relenting, and allowing outside assistance.
Since GFA missionaries are already in the country, and have found favour with the government, they are one of the few groups able to offer immediate help to the people as they begin the recovery process.
