God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2
In the last two verses of Psalm 27, David wrote: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
David acknowledged some of the trials, tribulation, and enemies he had encountered. Yet he concluded that God is faithful and that He is good. David chose to see the hand of God in everything that took place in his life. David’s continual praise and honour towards God throughout the highs and lows in his life, is an example of hope we want to bring to the nations around us in the midst of their adversity.
As countries in the region such as Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines attempt to emerge from the catastrophic damage caused by floods and landslides that were triggered by multiple tropical storms striking in quick succession in the last quarter of 2020, The Bible Society of Singapore has worked closely with our sister Bible Societies of affected regions to provide holistic assistance. While our sister Bible Societies continue to work on the translation of the Word of God, publishing and Bible distribution amidst difficulties provoked by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by natural disasters, BSS aims to extend its help to make their ministry projects a success, as well as offer holistic care for the communities in need.
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We are blessed to be in Singapore, a country that is sheltered from natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. This puts us in a position to be a channel of God’s blessings to these affected nations. BSS believes that we can help to make God’s Word come to life by actively serving the community and sowing care by helping the destitute.
Despite helping our guest workers living in Singapore through our various local projects, BSS also desires to extend a hand to their families back in their homelands impacted by calamities, such as the recent floods. Although it is our mission to spread the Word of God globally, we are also called to shine Jesus’ light into darkness; into the lives of others around the world (2 Cor 4:6).
Cambodia
Just under three per cent of the population in Cambodia are Christians. Although government regulation limiting the number of churches that can be built has been the main impediment to further expansion of Christianity’s reach in Cambodia, momentum around the spread of the Gospel in Cambodia has been mounting for years.
While copies of the Khmer Bible are readily available, the flooding has washed out several key roads and bridges, hindering travel and the distribution of aid to those most in need.
Other than killing 42 people and destroying over 150,000 homes in 19 provinces, the weeks of heavy rainfall have also destroyed infrastructure and crops—200,000 hectares of cultivated land and 80,000 farms flooded, and more than 500 schools and 79 textile factories damaged. According to the authorities, roads, hospitals and dams were also heavily damaged.
In Cambodia, it was primarily the non-Christian community that was affected. As the Body of Christ responds by providing basic necessities and ministering to those impacted by the flood, we pray that these people will be touched by the expressions of love and receive Christ.
Vietnam
Vietnam, too, has experienced the harsh impacts of successive typhoons, bringing widespread flooding and landslides to the region in the span of a couple of weeks.
The country has eight per cent of the population on record as followers of Christ. There are many more families who need hope and light from the Word of God as they rebuild their lives in the aftermath of these catastrophic floods. We stand in solidarity with the devastated families in Vietnam and aim to reach out to offer care and assistance.
Authorities estimate that nearly eight million people have been exposed to the storms, with 235 people dead or missing. 31,637 households had homes that were destroyed and had to be urgently relocated.
Agricultural land and livestock that communities survive on for income have been swept away, leaving them in vulnerable positions. Infrastructure including roads, schools, health centres and community facilities had also been significantly damaged.
Hundreds of thousands of people are now in desperate needs of emergency relief, such as safe shelter, safe drinking water, food and livelihood income support.
The Philippines
The flooding had affected eight regions and three million people, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian office. As many as 148 have already been killed. Harvests, homes and infrastructure in already impoverished areas have been wiped out, and swathes of the country have been left without power.
The Philippine Bible Society’s (PBS) General Secretary, Dr Nora G. Lucero, had personally sent a message to The Bible Society of Singapore, stating her own experience with the flooding: “The place is like a big garbage area, much like what I personally saw in Tacloban during Typhoon Haiyan years back. Typhoon Rolly was also a category 5 typhoon like Haiyan. It has not only been the strongest in the Philippines this year, but also in the world.”
Perry Cartera, Associate General Secretary, managed to send some updates with borrowed wifi after her house was wrecked by the massive flooding. In her photos, we see furniture and huge appliances toppled and strewn around the house—the aftermath of having water up to the roof of her house.
“We’ve lost the car and lost a lot of belongings, but we own nothing in this world anyway. Everything is on loan from the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth. Everything is a gift from Him, even our lives and our health. The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21),” she says.
Despite the massive flooding in her village, another PBS staff, Princess Landerto, remains resilient and still offers a helping hand to church ministry groups and others affected by the flood.
Amidst all these, PBS continues to strive tirelessly to translate, publish and distribute the Bible to all people. “We have coordinated with churches and organisations now for the release of Scriptures in the areas affected,” says Dr Nora G. Lucero.
Blessed to be a Blessing
Oftentimes, God’s Word encourages us to carry on, even in the face of a big challenge. It is BSS’ goal to work hand in hand with our sister Bible Societies as they help the lonely in their suffering by sharing the Word of Hope and show care to the hopeless in this crisis.
As Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” Keeping at our mission to make the Word of God known to all people, we endeavour to continue being a vessel of blessing to the nations. We would like to invite you to partner with us so that we can reach more countries in need of the Word and of practical help.
