8 September 2010: Teams break down barriers with love and help

OM's relief team in the south set off to distribute food, but was stopped by a protest on the highway by displaced people. When the team reached the crowd, the protestors recognized the OM team leader and greeted him. They agreed to stop the protest, at the leader's requet. The team was overjoyed to see that they have gained people’s respect. Later, they distributed food aid packages to 85 families.

Christians look like us!

It was a long, busy day for another team as they distributed 300 food aid packages to families in three northern locations. At the end of one distribution, a man from a local village said to them: “I’d never met any Christians in my life. This is my first chance to see a Christian; but you look like us.” The team member told him that they follow Essa (Jesus). The man replied, “No person from my faith came to help us, but you came from a distant place. Surely you are true followers of Essa.”

Helping the most vulnerable

The southern team has started focusing on infants and pregnant women. They have distributed juice, biscuits, fruit and food to 31 pregnant women and nursing mothers, who gave birth to infants during the disaster.

The southern team also went to a primary school that is providing shelter for 237 people. Since they had already received food from another agency, the team arranged a fun programme. One commented: “This is the first time we have laughed since the disaster.” Some old men expressing their gratitude, said: “Everything we had is destroyed and we have nothing to offer you except our words of thanks.”

Medical update

Hundreds of patients are being treated in the medical camps. Praise God that doctors will join the team a partner organization. The team is waiting to hear when they will arrive.

To date, the teams have provided food to 4,047 families, and the medical camps have treated 2,779 patients.

 Prayer points

• Praise God that the teams are gaining more respect. Please pray for more opportunities for teams to witness.
• Praise God that the teams are able to help vulnerable women and children.
• Praise God for more urgently needed doctors joining the medical camps. Please pray that they will be able to start soon.

OM’s role in the Church is to mobilise people to share the knowledge of Jesus and His love with every generation in every nation. OM pioneers and leads initiatives to redeem lives, rebuild communities and restore hope in over 110 countries.