By Tim Allan
Huge floods have brought devastation to northern Thailand and SIM workers are doing all they can to support the relief effort.
The flooding began with super typhoon Yagi which struck the country in September and was then followed by unprecedented monsoon rainfall to produce flooding not seen in 50 years.
Many thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as rivers burst their banks and flood waters rose quickly.
It’s been very difficult for many, many people.
SIM Thailand director Jonathan Thomas said: “There were two bouts of flooding – one at the end of September and another in early October. The Ping river in Chiang Mai burst its banks and water poured through the city.
“We know of one church where the pastor had been for 72 years and he had never seen flooding like this. It’s been very difficult for many, many people.
“As the floods recede they are coming back to homes which have been very badly damaged, so they face many weeks or months of hard work to recover.”
SIM’s main office in Thailand is in Chiang Mai and was flooded for a few days. Several staff members had to evacuate their homes, while others were unable to leave because of flooded roads.
Our workers are now back in the office and their efforts are focused on supporting local churches which are coordinating the relief efforts. They aim to provide food parcels, transport and repair materials, as appropriate.
If you would like to donate to the relief effort, SIM Thailand has set up the Thailand Flood Relief project # 98695.
Please pray
- For people and churches to recover at least some of their property. Many churches have lost equipment and documents, some of which are now irrecoverable.
- For the church to respond well and meet people’s needs
- For the necessary financial resources to be able to help communities get back on their feet.
You might also like
Before anyone shares the good news of Jesus, God may already be at work preparing the way. One family serving in the Middle East has seen how dreams and fr...
Rania* grew up in a North African city where music filled her days. She found an unexpected refuge behind the door of an old church. There she discovered t...
In North Africa, where spiritual opposition and persecution can make ministry challenging, workers are learning to persevere in prayer, trusting God to bri...
Meet Lily and Peter, two children growing up in North Africa. They share what everyday life is like, from school and friendships to faith, family, hobbies ...
For Tony, sharing Jesus in the Middle East starts with friendship. From watching football on the street to learning Arabic, he is building relationships wi...
A look at North Africa’s diverse nomadic groups, how modern pressures are reshaping their lives, and the meaningful ways Christian believers can serve am...
The Middle East and North Africa are home to hundreds of millions of people who have never heard the truth of Jesus. God is opening remarkable doors across...
Across North Africa, Amazigh communities are reclaiming their language, culture and identity. As they rediscover their heritage including a largely forgott...
Richard and Valérie Morris have spent decades helping mission workers understand the spiritual realities they may face — from confronting fear and oppre...
Widows in Benin are rebuilding their lives through an unexpected gift: two goats that offer income, dignity and the reminder that they are deeply loved by ...
Mission worker Dominique has spent the past eight months serving women in Nigeria’s Plateau State, where hundreds of widows are rebuilding their lives af...
We asked mission worker Ryan, how do learn to love the people and culture you serve?