Photo via mnnonline.org

In the wake of disaster, Vision Beyond Borders sees new growth

Myanmar is facing a food shortage due to the destruction of Cyclone Nargis and a rat infestation that destroyed crops, reports MNN.

According to the World Food Program, nearly 85,000 tons of emergency food relief will be needed this year in the Irrawaddy Delta. In other areas where rats invaded, experts say food needs are likely to exceed more than 100,000 tons.

The country is among the 20 poorest countries in the world. That, in part, is one reason why Vision Beyond Borders is in the area.

Their ministry goal is to serve the church by providing the necessary tools and training for the local people to fulfill Christ's "Great Commission." VBB teams do this by supplying native language Bibles, training materials, seeds, clothing, medical supplies, prayer teams and evangelism to children.

Last year, Vision Beyond Borders helped feed over 60,000 and provide medicine to Cyclone Nargis survivors. Since then, over 60 duffel bags full of supplies have been carried in to help others who needed aid.

VBB teams also delivered more than 6,000 Bibles and New Testaments. Demand for the Bibles continues, so Vision Beyond Borders hopes to buy 20,000 additional Burmese Bibles for Myanmar for around $4.00 each.

Although time has passed since the storm devastated the country, there are still many unmet physical needs. Medical supplies are still scarce. Vision Beyond Borders is working to ship a container full of donated medical supplies worth over a million dollars.

The poverty in Myanmar is prevalent. Infrastructure has not fully been restored, with the double scourge of the cyclone and the rat plague. Many families lost their homes. Worse yet, many children lost their families and were forced to forage in the streets.

There is currently an urgent need for Vision Beyond Borders to help provide housing for 6,000 orphans.

One orphanage has been completed, and four others are in process.

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TAGS: Myanmar Vision Beyond Borders World Food Program emergency food relief

[01/30/2009]

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