International Ministries continues to appeal for funds to provide emergency relief to global servants, partners, and communities suffering the devastating effects of flooding in Thailand, Myanmar, and neighboring countries. 

Catastrophic flooding began with a tropical storm in mid-September and continues to devastate Thailand and neighboring countries such as Myanmar. After several other storms, a monsoon, and flash flooding, over 200,000 homes have been destroyed. IM global servants and partners are safe and have begun working on relief efforts to provide clean water and food to those in need and bring restoration to the facilities of local IM partners House of Love, House of Blessing, and the New Life Center. 

UPDATE ON IM GLOBAL SERVANTS AND PARTNERS

IM Area Director Kyle Witmer and IM Global Servant Debbie Witmer, along with IM Global Servants Aphiwan and Scott Coats, Alise and Mark Juanes, Becky and Mike Mann, Kit Ripley, and Katrina and Kyle Williams are safe and currently assessing the damages to homes and personal belongings. They are currently without power. 

IM partners House of Love and House of Blessing, along with the New Life Center have suffered damage to their buildings. IM global servants and local volunteers are slowly restoring the properties. In the coming months they must repaint, restore electrical outlets, repair plumbing and air conditioners, and replace the furniture. 

World Relief Officer Lisa Rothenberger states, “Our news is saturated with so many situations that compete for our attention. The devastation of Hurricane Helene across the southeast of the United States continues to reveal itself, even as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida. Monday marked the one-year anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, even as the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah increases in southern Lebanon and northern Israel. Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine. Our own Presidential Election is just 26 days away. With all these competing needs and news stories, we aren’t seeing much about the continued flood disaster in Thailand and the neighboring countries. Our supporting churches and donors know and love the global servants, partners, and ministries in Thailand. Those ministries are what they are today because of their continued love and support over decades. And today, these ministries are experiencing unprecedented flooding – not just an inch or two of water, but at levels that devastate properties and ruin personal belongings. Thank you for your gifts to OGHS – Thailand Flood relief, to help those in need even when we aren’t seeing the need firsthand.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

With ongoing flood warnings, immediate needs for displaced families include food, clean water, and shelter, while longer-term efforts will focus on restoration and rebuilding. IM calls for urgent prayer and support for all affected by the floods, especially for the families of its global servants, local partners, and surrounding communities. Financial gifts can be made in two ways: 

• To support community relief efforts, donations can be made through your church, through giving online, or by sending checks directly to International Ministries. Please designate your contributions “OGHS–Thailand Floods” in the memo line of your check.
   

• To support the IM global servants who have experienced personal losses, donations can be made online or by sending checks directly to International Ministries, designating your contributions “Global Servant Emergency Care” in the memo line of your check. 

Checks sent directly to International Ministries should be made payable to “International Ministries” and mailed to:

International Ministries
Attn: Gifts Processing
1003 W 9th Avenue, Ste A
King of Prussia, PA 19406 

These funds will directly assist those in need as they navigate this unprecedented disaster. Your prayers and financial support can make a significant difference in helping those affected by the devastating floods in Thailand and across neighboring countries. 

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA. The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing the distribution of the annual OGHS offering received by churches.