Cries From Those in War and Flooding

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

In many difficulties, with enemies on all sides, Nexus co-workers’ faith and wisdom are being severely tested.

The Cry of Kindness Center and Grace Center after the flood

Dear Friends of Nexus,

Myanmar (Lychee City, Kindness Center) and northern Thailand (Coconut City, Grace Center) have recently experienced their worst typhoon and flooding in 30 years. Floods and mudslides caused by heavy rains have killed 384 people and left 89 missing in Myanmar. At least 9 people died and many others are missing in northern Thailand.

Grace Center, Kindness Center, and local churches are located in the hardest-hit areas. Continuing heavy rains caused water levels in nearby low-lying areas to surge by 2-3 meters, forcing many residents to take shelter on rooftops. All furniture, appliances, church equipment, musical instruments, etc. in both centers were flooded; many items were destroyed. Thankfully, the children and co-workers are all safe and have been temporarily accommodated in nearby churches or safe places.

At first some children were trapped in the Center because the floods came so quickly and forcefully. We became extremely worried after trying for a long time to find people to help rescue them, but we finally found some young men. Some of the children were carried on shoulders; some were rescued in large plastic tubs. The water became very deep because such heavy rain came so suddenly. Flooding started very quickly — but that was only the beginning!

The two centers now urgently need to purchase refrigerators, electrical appliances, simple furniture, mattresses, sheets, daily necessities, etc. The cry of Kindness Center and Grace Center after the flood is, “Lord, please supply these needs!”

The Cry of Tree City (Lebanon)

Dear Friends of Nexus,

Israel launched heavy air strikes against Hezbollah, marking the deadliest day of Israeli attacks in Lebanon since 2006. Beginning at 1:30 pm on September 23 and then continuously for two hours, Israel first warned residents in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley via television and text messages to evacuate as soon as possible. Then they struck southern Lebanon and eastern and western parts of the Bekaa Valley, including some areas inhabited by Christians. More than 200 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured.

During the strikes we spoke to Nexus co-worker Vera and could hear the loud bomb blasts that shook her house. Thank God, no one at Nexus Center and no church members, staff, or students were injured in the attack — but they were left in great shock. The Bekaa Valley is a rather small area, and Nexus Center is  situated only about 20 kilometers and 10 kilometers (12 miles and 6 miles) from Hezbollah strongholds to the east and to the west, respectively.

Thank God, the location of Nexus Center is relatively safe. We thank you all for your donations to build a shelter at the Center for people’s safety and for storage of grain and diesel fuel! Now we’ve completed what we’d planned for the safety shelter and Nexus Center — not only for ourselves but for some local Christians and friends in need. We’ve done our best to make preparation — even though what we’ve done is not perfect, at least we have done something. May the Lord cover us where we may be inadequately prepared; may His grace make up for it!

In this attack we’ve all been kept quite safe. Please continue to pray, especially for people’s hearts to turn to the Lord Jesus. The attack occurred Monday afternoon, on the first day of the new semester when students had already left school. And now we’ve already begun receiving asylum requests from local friends.

Ask the Lord to help our co-workers to hold on to Jesus in this time of panic and fear. We still need to buy more food, diesel and other supplies. Please ask the Lord to help us live out the likeness of our Lord Jesus — to let our light shine in this darkness!

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:1-2)

Sincerely, Nexus Mission

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