India (MNN) — Torrential monsoon rains continue to pound northern India. Up to 40 inches of rain has fallen in parts of the country, and in many areas it's still pouring. The death toll is at about 2,000 in India alone.
Founder and President of Gospel for Asia KP Yohannan says the flooding has hit areas where they're working particularly hard. He says one people group in the state of Assam was hit especially hard. "4,000 houses were completely destroyed, over 10,000 cattle were destroyed, many of our church buildings were destroyed and believers' houses were washed away."
According to Yohannan, GFA is doing everything they can to help the victims. "We have several hundred missionaries and workers actually going in canoes and whatever way they can travel to get to these places because all the main roads and bridges are completely washed away."
Unfortunately, GFA missionaries are being affected by the flooding. "25 or more homes of our believers were partially destroyed, and I hear another 15 houses were completely wiped out. So far, by the grace of God, we know of no believers or missionaries having been killed in the floods."
While their immediate needs is top priority, GFA is already preparing for a major rebuilding effort. Yohannan says GFA missionaries are planning to rebuild homes. "Can you just imagine the impact of that for Christ for the Gospel when we go back and witness to them? It's a wide open door for us, just like [during] the tsunami time, sharing Christ's love to people in their greatest need–people who are so desperate and have lost everything."
It costs between $700 and $1,000 to rebuild a home. Yohannan says, "I don't know if we can do all of them, but it would be a wonderful thing if the Lord would allow us to do 1,000 or 2,000."
According to Yohannan, this isn't something you can prepare for. "We are asking people to please pray and do everything possible to help us financially so we can meet the needs of these people."
