India (MNN) — Last Thursday, March 26, a severe storm swept through Northeast India, wreaking havoc on a Bible college supported by Gospel for Asia.
The majority of buildings on-campus were destroyed, but all students and staff emerged safely. Students spent the first night in temporary shelters and will finish their semester at the end of this month. The college's principal requested prayer for wisdom for those involved with the center's reconstruction plans, and for people in the surrounding community whose homes sustained significant damage.
According to GFA, the storm struck Assam, India last week at around 6:30 p.m. and caused severe damage throughout the area. The college's dormitories, chapel, kitchen and offices sustained the brunt of damage from the storm. Tin roofs were ripped off of buildings; many portions of the walls and building frames were blown apart. Although students were badly shaken, they were able to gather for a worship service later that night, "thanking God for sparing their lives."
Students have cleaned up what they could and plan to work with GFA Compassion Services teams to help others living in the surrounding area. In desperate situations, these disaster teams bring food, water, medical care, clothing and occasionally, shelter.
Final exams were administered Monday, and students will finish out their semester this month. Prayer was requested for those involved in planning campus reconstruction, and your prayers will also be needed for the students and GFA Compassion teams serving people affected by this severe storm.
Aside from disaster relief, GFA Compassion Services teams minister on a continual basis in Asia slums, leper communities, and other forsaken people groups. You can find out more about those ministries by clicking here.
Gospel for Asia has established 67 major Bible colleges in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Bhutan border. Students are equipped to "reach the unreached" through an intensive three-year program, including on-the-job training through outreach ministry and preparation for missionary life. To learn more about GFA's Bible College program, click here.
