From Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions
From Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions
In Central America a hurricane kills 15,000 people--it's big news, and rightly so. In Bangladesh, however, the worst flooding in decades leaves 10 million homeless, and kills hundreds of thousands this summer, and, it seems, no one knows.
John Biswas, a Bengali, a member in San Bernardino, California, and president of Bengali Evangelistic Association, raised as much money as he could (in the past few years, the WCG has provided literature, built a training center and provided funds to BEA for humanitarian aid) and made a mission trip to Bangladesh. He distributed relief, encouraged ministerial trainees and visited congregations.
Even pictures, worth 10,000 words, cannot tell the whole story. John got around by boat, over waters that stand for hundreds of square miles over what used to be villages and farmland.
In many cases this water has covered the land for two months or more. Cattle, with nowhere to go, stand in water until they starve, or die of disease.
John saw a family, crowded into a hut on a hummock of land, water on all sides. Also huddled in the corner of the hut were four big cobras. The family was sharing what little milk they had for the children with the snakes. (Hindus believe that snakes are sacred).
Water is receding, but cholera, malaria and other related diseases are rampant. Crops have been destroyed, so famine is a serious threat.
The supplies and money John was able to raise (thanks to all those church areas and individuals who contributed) were able to minister to the immediate needs of about 5,000 people. The prime minister of the nation received John in order to express gratitude for the effort.
 Training center shelters more than 100 |
 John Biswas discusses relief strategy |
 Floodwaters remain in many towns |
 Prine Minister (left) receives John Biswas |
 The only way to move about is by boat |
 Preparing to distribute clothes to flood victims |
In addition, John spent several weeks visiting the fledgling congregations, so much in need of encouragement. He was also able to continue the training of dozens of gospel workers.
The training facility, provided by donations from the WCG, has been a valuable asset. However, during this trip the center was being used as an emergency shelter, housing about 100 people.
The greatest miracle is that 57 new Christians were baptized. Most of us cannot fathom how much a Bengali has to be "crucified with Christ" in order to become a practicing Christian.
They are considered outcasts by those around them. Their relatives and fellow villagers consider Christianity a primary source of evil.
In rural Bangladesh, where we are working, it is not unheard of that Christians are beaten, or even killed if they try to openly practice their faith in the village.
A few of our converts are living incognito in distant villages, because relatives are seeking to punish them for defying the family and becoming Christian.
This mission field is not in the urban centers like Dacca. This work is in the heart of Bangladesh, in its villages, where everyone knows everything about everybody. Yet, in spite of these odds, new Christians were baptized on this trip. Just three years ago, the congregations did not even comprise 57 people.
We can clearly see that Christ has set his hand on this place at this time, to show mercy to some.
We did not seek to be involved in this ministry in Bangladesh, but neither will we flinch from carrying the wonderful burden of Christ to these people.
I don't know where the funds will come from to support this ministry in '99. But, because God has chosen to work through people, I trust that God will move the right people in the right numbers at the right time to provide the means.
If at any time you would like to make a donation to the mission work in Bangladesh, you may do so by making a check payable to the Worldwide Church of God with the note "for Asia mission."
Send the check to the Worldwide Church of God, 300 W. Green St., Pasadena, California, 91105.
 WCG provides new Bengali literature, enthusiastically received |
 Growing number of ministerial trainees, or gospel workers |
 57 new brothers and sisters in Christ |
 One of the larger village churches |
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998