Earthquake Devastates Myanmar

MYANMAR – “To all my brethren, are you safe?” This was part of a message sent by one of our ministry leaders on a service that links our four leaders in Myanmar with our ACGC missions staff. The message appeared Friday, shortly after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the country and many parts of southeast Asia. The quake’s epicenter was in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city located in the middle of the country. Reports from Myanmar have the death toll at more than 2,000. But many are still missing.

By Saturday, all four leaders had reported in. All were safe, including their families. We are so thankful to the Lord for their safety and thankful that there haven’t been any reports of injuries or death among the churches. Yet there is still cause for concern. Many, including our leaders, have no electricity and no water. Lack of water is an especially grievous concern, as so much in life depends on access to water. Myanmar’s economy has been in shambles since the COVID pandemic and the military takeover of the government. Power outages and lack of internet have become a regular part of life. But the earthquake last week has crippled what little infrastructure the country had left. We can concentrate our prayers to ask for God’s provision for his people in Myanmar and for the people of the country in general.

Despite the severe trials they are facing, our leaders remain steadfast in their faith in the Lord. Other comments in the wake of the earthquake demonstrate this. “We are safe by grace.” “Today’s earthquake was very strong. But our God is stronger than the earthquake.” One leader was away from home bringing the gospel to villages in a different state. He remarked, “My family is safe by his grace” and added, “Pray for my gospel trip.” This typifies the perseverance and resiliency God has given to these servants of the Lord. Continue to pray for them as they keep proclaiming the gospel in the midst of calamitous circumstances.