ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

The relief distribution team paddles through the flood waters to deliver care packages to flood victims.

Thanks to the generosity of donor gifts to the Thailand Flood Relief Fund, ABWE missionaries and partners in Thailand have purchased, assembled and distributed life-sustaining care packages -- containing rice, drinking water, canned fish, Ramen noodles, custard cakes and tissues -- to people in the flooded communities of Bangkok. Many items had to be purchased above normal prices and at rationed limits.

The relief distribution teams are composed of local Christians who are also victims of the flooding -- what a wonderful display of Christian compassion by believers who are serving while also suffering! They are volunteering to help assemble care packages for delivery to other flood victims. In addition to essential staples, each package includes a Gospel tract with the message of salvation.

Last week, Pastor Soonthorn Khamma and Pastor Kiatisak Siripandorn, along with a team of seven evacuees staying at Grace Baptist Church in Bangkok, worked together to assemble 80 care packages and transport the bags of supplies in a van to Pathum Thani. A Bible school student negotiated the use of a boat from a neighbor near the Romphrakhun Baptist Church. They filled the boat with care packages and distributed the relief supplies to those stranded in the flooded area.

With hearts warmed by sharing, neighbors gladly received the care packages, saying the local authorities had only been able to make two trips to their street and had missed many who needed supplies. The care packages were carefully planned with essential supplies and high-quality materials so the recipients could see our commitment to also sharing the most important gift in the bag – the Gospel message.

With a bond of togetherness and mutual effort, neighbors rallied to freely share their boats and help send the team and care packages to everyone along the street. They happily announced, “These are care packages from the church!” A little girl from an English class at the church, who was thrilled to be part of the relief project, carried the last package through the waters to a very grateful woman.

While the care packages were able to help many flood victims, the relief distribution team knows there are many more people who are without food, water and spiritual nourishment. More than 1 million people have fallen ill as a result of the flooding, and millions remain displaced from their homes. Donations are still needed to ensure the Thai flood victims receive the physical and spiritual care they need.

Nov. 9, 2011:

One week after handing out rice and other relief items to people enduring the flood in Thailand, Charles and Lourdes Holmes became flood victims themselves.

The Holmes, who serve as independent Baptist missionaries in Thailand, tried to stop the flood waters from entering their home in Pathum Thani. But as the water rose quickly, it became clear their efforts were futile. 

“We tried everything we could think of to stop the water from getting inside the house, but we could not stop the water from floor leaks,” Charles Holmes said. “Finally, we gave up and water from the streets rushed inside and filled up the first floor of the house.”

The Holmes were able to move many of their possessions to the second floor, but they knew they needed to evacuate as soon as possible. They evacuated by boat the next day and drove on to dry ground in Hua Hin.

The Lord had a plan for their evacuation. When the Holmes passed by a shop to buy water, they met a woman who showed them her Bible.

“She has been reading the Bible, but no one really has shared with her the story of the Gospel,” Charles said. “Lourdes sat down with her and showed her the way of salvation. Praise the Lord, she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior.”

This is just one of many salvation stories that continue to emerge as flood waters rise in Thailand. Pray for these new Christians as they cultivate their faith in a time of great uncertainty.

 Water continues to flow into Bangkok and the surrounding provinces. The water has risen as high as three meters in some areas, and reports estimate the water will not subside until later this month.

“The flood control office has built dykes and walls to prevent the water from getting into the main city of Bangkok, but these preventions did not help at all,” Charles said. “Water is now in many parts of Bangkok, including the Don Muang airport, and rapidly moving into different (places).”

While conditions in Thailand are dire, the situation remains ripe with opportunities to share the Gospel. Please pray for our ABWE missionaries, PABWE Filipino partners and Thai Christian workers as they share Christ’s love with the people of Thailand.

“We know for sure that our loving, heavenly Father is in control of the whole situation,” Charles said. “Please pray that our attitude is one of a worshipful and thankful heart, knowing that our God is sovereign.”

Oct. 26, 2011:

Almost 9 million people have been displaced and hundreds killed in the worst flooding to douse Thailand in half a century. New reports suggest damage from the flood could cost $2 billion, and more devastation is expected as water continues to rise.

ABWE missionaries report stories of fear and panic from people they have encountered during this disaster. Many Thai in the affected areas are fleeing and some ABWE personnel have also temporarily evacuated areas expected to flood in Bangkok.

As waters rise so do the inherent risks for the people who stay behind. Dozens of crocodiles escaped from Ayutthaya when a dam broke recently; seven were found swimming in the flooded waters of Bangyai. A 16-year-old boy who attended PABWE’s Bangyai Baptist Church lost his life earlier this week when he was electrocuted in the flood water.

But in the wake of tragedy, God’s light continues to shine. Filipino missionaries serving with an ABWE partner, the Philippine Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (PABWE), are ministering to flood victims and seeing Thai people come to Christ in a time of great uncertainty. 

Two students at Bangyai Baptist Church were saved earlier this week. Nimrod Acosta, a missionary church planter, said the two students were accompanying him to buy medicine for flood victims. Both students asked Pastor Acosta how they could face their fears about the flood. He shared the gospel with them and both students accepted the Lord as their Savior. 

Pastor Acosta’s wife, Esther, also was able to use the devastation caused by the flood for God’s glory. Som-o, a nurse who attends English classes at Bangyai Baptist Church, had been asking many questions about God’s judgment and the “last days.” Earlier this week, Som-o sought out refuge at the church because she was afraid of the rising flood waters. Esther explained that Christ is our “rock and steadfast fortress” and led Som-o to Christ.

PABWE missionaries and Thai pastors continue to minister to flood victims, distributing meals, water, medication and, most importantly, hope to people in need. Despite knee-high flood water, 13 people gathered to worship last Sunday at the Zion Baptist Church in Bangkruai.

The flood situation will only become more desperate in the coming days, as the water continues to rise and the entirety of Bangkok is expected to flood. Pray for the ABWE Thailand team as it partners with PABWE missionaries and Thai pastors to organize relief and rescue efforts at their churches and throughout the flood zones.

Prayer Requests

Please pray specifically for the following ministries:

• Pastor Phairath Prasitnok, of Romprakhun Baptist Church in Sena District of Ayutthaya and chairman of the Romprakhun Baptist Fellowship of Churches, reported that the church and entire area is flooded. The rice fields and many of the industrial sectors there are flooded, meaning a loss of income and employment.
• Romprakhun (Bangkhan) Baptist Church in Pathum Thani: The church building is flooded and unusable with more than a meter of water in the church building, as well as the neighborhood in the surrounding vicinity. The major road going north out of Bangkok passing by Bangkhan has been closed for a week already.
• PABWE church planter Nimrod Acosta in Bang Yai: The church buildings and neighborhoods where their students live are flooded.
• PABWE missionary Cheryl Hechanova at Zion Church in Bangkruai: The church building is flooded and 200 bags of emergency relief supplies have been distributed to flood victims.
• Faith Baptist Church in Nonthaburi: The flood waters are encroaching on the church building, but they were able to provide flood relief, food and medication to their neighborhood.
• Other member churches mounting flood relief include the Bangkhen Baptist Church, Orngen Baptist Church, Bangmot Baptist Church and the Grace Baptist Church, which has become a refugee destination for many of the Christians from the Bangkok floods.

How to Help

ABWE will continue to assist the people of Thailand and those connected with partner ministries as they combat flood damage. For two decades, ABWE has provided relief to countries impacted by natural disasters. Through these efforts, ABWE seeks to show Christ’s compassion to people around the world in the wake of catastrophe.

ABWE has designated a Thailand Flood Relief fund to help the people of Thailand and our Filipino and Thai partners respond to needs. We have already advanced $10,000 in anticipation of your desire to help. The Thai churches are responding generously and sacrificially. Please consider joining them with a donation to this paramount cause today.

Donations should be marked “Thailand Flood Relief” and sent to:
ABWE Donor Services
P.O. Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105

Canadian Donors: To give online please visit the ABWE Canada website.

« Back to News Index

Recent Stories