Included in the property damage were nearly 40 of our local churches. Some were damaged, some destroyed. While there was immediate assistance from the government and charitable institutions for personal loss, there was no immediate help for the local churches. Our missionary in India reported that many of his pastors and members came describing the loss and looking for assistance. His answer was for them to pray together and ask God for help in their time of need.

God heard and answered those prayers. The response was remarkable. People began sending the contributions to the Helping Hand Ministry which enabled the people to begin the rebuilding process. The love and responsive concern was timely help for the saints.

Last winter the Bulgarian church suffered greatly due to lack of supplies and a poor economy. Many of the Bulgarians did not even taste cheese or meat all season. During that time prices of goods changed daily. Many unemployed had no money for food nor electricity and heating. Again, donors responded to the need, and aid was distributed among five churches in Bulgaria and other nearby villages. Such supplies included parcels of rice, sugar, spaghetti, cheese, soap, washing powder, and margarine. Many began to cry when they saw the gifts.

The national missionary of Peru communicated some of the devastation and extreme difficulties they experienced due to severe flooding as a result of the El Nino weather patterns in the winter of 1998. Many rivers had swelled up and inundated large portions of the cities. In one city a flooded cemetery had coffins floating thru the streets. Many churches were damaged and a number of the membership lost their homes. Again, brothers and sisters responded to the crisis and ministered, not from abundance, but from love.