Your Generosity Helps Children Under Water in Mae Sot, Thailand

Today, via google, one could get this report about the flooding in Mae Sot, Thailand:

Flash flooding hits Mae Sot

At least 20 communities in Mae Sot, in the northern province of Tak, are being hard hit by floods following heavy rain in the region on Sunday, reports said. Tak governor Suriya Prasartbandit on Tuesday led provincial officials to visit and hand out packed rice and dried food to flood affected people in Pracharak and Jog communities, where the water is reported to about one metre deep.  Mr Suriya said about 191 millimetres of rain fell on the Mae Sot area, on the border with Myanmar, during Sunday’s downpour, causing flash flooding in tambons Mae Ku, Pha Daeng, Mae Sot, Mae Tao, Mae Kasa, Mae Pa and Sai Luad.  Officials had visited people in flood affected areas and provided them with food and drinking water, he said…Pongthep Buasap, chief of Mae Sot customs office, said the flooding has halted Thai-Myanmar border trade via the Moei River, with losses of about 100 million baht per day.

This macro news release talks about the amount of rainfall, the number of communities affected, the government’s response, and the likely economic impact.  While informative, this story will fight to even be heard in America’s competitive media marketplace.

Today, via e-mail, we received Pastor Manny Sinoy’s report about the flooding and wanted to share it with you:

“Dear Brother Trace, Greetings from Thailand. I would like to let you know of what happened to our children home 2 days ago.  Due to heavy rained for 4 days and it is still raining here until the 4th of August. They opened the reservior/dam uphill.  Suddenly we were hit by the flood surprisely. The compound was under watered for two days and our new building for the boys was under watered about one meter inside.

We evacuted the children to our church but we were not able to saved the boys’ belongings. Their beddings was damaged by water. The boxes that they put their clothings and school meterials was damage too.  Also we lost many other things in the kitchen and laundry place. Washing Machine was damage and untesils was lost. I estimated damage for all of it would be $5000 or more.

The first flood ever in Maesot that destroyed  many things and probably is going to last for 3 to 4 days. We are also needing of drinking water and canned food or dried food.I would like to ask you if you can help us with our need in this desaster.

Thank you so much and God bless you my brother.

We need your help urgently.

Yours For the Lost Souls,

Bro.Emmanuel Sinoy & Family”

Same disaster, but quite a different take.  Real people, like Pastor Manny Sinoy, caring for children, moving them to safety.  Manny can’t wait for a photo op with the governor and provincial officials.  He has 40 children to feed, clothes to replace, and school supplies to provide.

Frankly, Manny can’t wait for me to blog and hope to raise some funds to send over either.  That’s why we are SO grateful to you who give faithfully and give to our Greatest Needs Emergency Fund.  Because of your generosity, we were able to wire thousands of dollars to Pastor Manny just a few hours after receiving Manny’s e-mail.  It’s sitting in his bank account now.  Your donations will soon be used to buy food, clean drinking water, and begin to replace what was lost in the flood.

Your investment in the lives of children around the world makes a real difference.  We simply don’t want to miss this opportunity to say, “Thank you!”