Gospel for Asia's first shipment of cyclone relief supplies has arrived in Burma and has been received by GFA and Believers Church officials.
"Because of our previous service to the nation in times of such need, our national leader has a good reputation among government leaders, and the local churches are held in high regard," explained GFA President and founder KP Yohannan.
"As a result, the government has agreed to allow GFA/Believers Church to not only bring in supplies, but also to make sure they reach the people who are in such desperate need."
Even though there have been several reports in the international media of aid materials being diverted, GFA has been assured that these will get to those in need.
In addition to the medical supplies that were flown into Rangoon airport, GFA and Believers Church are also shipping food to the disaster-struck nation.
"Please pray that all of these supplies will get into the hands of the people who need them the most," Yohannan pleaded. "I also ask that Christians offer prayer that the government leaders will give greater freedom to help the hurting in remote areas."
In what he described as a near-miracle, the Burma Government has also given special permission to GFA and Believers Church to open medical clinics in its church compounds.
"This is a very unusual situation," Yohannan said, "and it is good because we have 400 churches in Burma, and many are in the most affected areas. Of course we cannot minister to everyone who is suffering as a result of this disaster, but we will do everything we can to help everyone we can."
Yohannan said the most pressing need at these clinics is for trained medical personnel.
"I am asking people to pray that God would lead us to Burmese doctors and nurses who are already in the country, since so far the government has not allowed outsiders to come in and work," Yohannan said.
Yohannan also revealed that the Believers Church leader in Burma has asked to open an orphanage to care for more than 90 children now in his church's temporary care.
