Mission News: How Important is The Word?

After a flood in India, in one particular area, more than 50,000 Christians lost everything they had and are now sheltered in relief camps.

Selladurai, a fisherman, is a believer who lost family members, his house, his boat, everything he owned. "I sit on the sea shore and stare day and night, hurting deeply. I do not know how to begin my life. I wish I had a Bible now that I have all the time in the world to read it."

A Christian worker offered, "I will send you a Bible when I go back home. Please give me your address."

"What address? I do not have any address. All that I have is sand and rubbish!"

"Then how should I send a Bible to you?" the conversation continued.

"The only way is for me to go with you to *Bangalore and collect it personally from you." (*This is a 1,000 mile journey.)

"O. K. That's fine with me. Come along."

So the two traveled the journey of 15 hours by bus ~ the tickets supplied by the relief worker. Selladurai collected the Bible and returned rejoicing. Now he is asking for more Bibles for Christians around him. People are hungry for God's Word and open to the message more than ever before. Buddhists, Hindus and even atheists are asking for Bibles to know God. They are realizing their lives are in His hands.

After assessing the need, the International Bible Society staff estimated a need to distribute 5,000 Bibles in the Malayalam languages. The Indian Church is organizing the distribution. The local IBS Director, Cricket Barrazotto, writes, "Please tell the folks at Central that their love of God's Word and their desire to send Scripture into the relief effort is making a difference in the lives of the victims." Continue to pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word to reach hearts throughout Southeast Asia.