MCCCR ROUNTABLE II (5th July in Yangon)

We had just over 20 leaders representing organizations from Philippines, Thailand, Canada, US, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Australia & Malaysia at this meeting. Due to some security concerns, the Leaders from the MCCCR Committee were not able to join us. The chairman (Rev Arthur Ko Lay), vice chairman (Bishop Mawia), project coordinator (Rev Aung Thet Nyunt) and treasurer (Rev Jenson) however did join us for about 30 minutes right at the start of the MCCCR Roundtable II to explain the reasons why they felt they should not join in the meeting. I will explain that briefly here :

A couple of weeks earlier, a lady from a Christian Organization involved in the relief efforts called at the MCCCR Office & Warehouse asking for  “family kits” (that would have cost over US$40,000). Rev Aung informed her, rightly, that in order to be able to give the “family kits”, esp. to an organization that is not part of MCCCR, we need a project paper detailing who is requesting, who the recipients of the family kits would be, where the distribution would be done, when it would be done, etc. This went on back and forth a couple of times, and finally because she came with a leader from an organization that WAS part of MCCCR, we did release the family kits to them. However, shortly thereafter, we found out that Rev Aung Thet Nyunt, specifically but also MCCCR as a whole, was under investigation and security watch by the authorities. We found out that “someone” had made a complain to the authorities in Myanmar that “MCCCR was receiving funds but not using it to help the victims”. As a result, Rev Aung left for Bangkok for a week, while members of the MCCCR Committee met with the different Government Ministries in Myanmar and also the Special Branch to explain and clarify that it was not true. It was during this period that we were planning to have the MCCCR Roundtable II …and why they felt they should not be there. Anyway, by HIS Grace …this matter is now resolved, and we have the confidence of the government in what we are doing.

A day after MCCCR Roundtable II, all the participants were invited for a meeting with the MCCCR Committee, where an update was given and also priority projects were shared.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR
HIS FAVOR UPON THE LEADERS OF MCCCR.

TRAININGS DONE IN JULY

1. Disaster Relief Training done by Food For The Hungry for MCCCR staff, volunteers and partners.

2. Soil-Desalination Training done by a team sent by Baptist Global Response.

3. Trauma Counseling Training done by Dr Lee Bee Teik (above right) from Malaysia Methodist Church.

Participant sharing her experience (Left ) and Praying for some who have suffered personal loss in the tragedy. (Right)

Though we are separated, we are all in God’s arms.
God’s Name be Glorified. In God’s Place wait for us.
(poem written by one of the participants as he reflected on his loss)

Pa died while he was preparing for Holy Communion in Church.
(Bible College Student / Pastor’s Kid)

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THEM,
AS THEY COME TO TERMS WITH THEIR LOSS.

PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR MCCCR

1. Rebuilding of Community Churches: In other situations this would not be deemed a high priority but in Myanmar the churches need to be rebuilt quickly as they are essential distribution points. It is through the Church that relief and rehabilitation efforts are conducted. It is a positive move as otherwise, the efforts are “actions of strangers”.

With the church buildings repaired or rebuilt, it lays the ground for a long-term Christian presence. The Minister for Religious Affairs has given his full support for this project.

2. Feeding Project: Even though food is getting in through World Food Program and other projects, hundreds of thousands remain in dire straits, and will be for the next 6 months or so. MCCCR is committed to providing the victims with food for as long as they need it.

3. Schooling for children: In line with the Government Policy, we are providing children with funds for their school fees and also supplies (books, bags, etc.). Allowing the children to get back to some normality will be helpful in their healing process and in that of their parents as well.

4. Housing materials for rebuilding: It is estimated that more than 500,000 houses had been destroyed. With the onset of the monsoon season, rebuilding becomes even more critical. Exposure to the elements renders the victims even more vulnerable to sickness and diseases.

5. Household supplies: This covers basic supplies for the home such as cooking utensils, blankets, mosquito nets, clothing, etc. Distribution done recently in Laputta (Delta area)

6. Livelihood projects: We are looking at primarily helping the farmers, fishermen and families to start small businesses such as grocery stores, food stalls, etc. This is not just for self-sustenance, it is also to help the men regain a sense of dignity. Many of them have been scarred by the loss of loved ones, and the inability to provide food for the family adds to that pain.

Livelihood Project - Farming Tools

UPCOMING EVENT

From the 20th of Oct to the 8th of Nov, we are having a soccer team (17 of them) from Brazil (through AME-Brazil, International Sports Coalition & Athletes For Christ) doing a tour of Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The purpose of this tour is to raise funds for helping in reconstruction work in Myanmar.

These are some of the players that will be coming :

1. Paulo Sergio – BRAZIL (World Cup Winner 1994), Roma (Italy)
2. Silvao – BRAZIL, Fluminese & Gremio (Brazil)
3. Cesar Sampaio – BRAZIL (World Cup Winner 1998), Sao Paulo (Brazil)
4. Vitor – BRAZIL, Sao Paulo & Corinthians (Brazil), Real Madrid (Spain)
5. Cleber – Sao Paolo (Brazil), Napoli (Italy), Dong Tam (Vietnam)
6. Paulinho Kobayashi – Santos (Brazil)
7. Rogerio – Almeria (Spain)
8. Reginaldo – Juventus & Chievo (Italy)
9. Hernandes – West Ham & Portsmouth (UK), Internacional (Brazil)
   
   Click here for more information on the tour, www.tour-of-hope.info

PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS FAVOR AS PREPARATIONS ARE MADE FOR THEIR VISIT. PLEASE PRAY FOR SPONSORS (IN-KIND) FOR HOTEL, AIR-TICKETS, VIP BUSES, MEALS, PRINTING OF PUBLICIY MATERIALS, ETC. …SO THAT COLLECTIONS FROM THE TICKETS SALES WILL GO TOWARDS THE REBUILDING EFFORTS IN MYANMAR.

Blessings !

Beram Kumar (beram@asia.com)
& Rev Aung Thet Nyunt
Co-Chairs of MCCCR Roundtable