My Christian friends in Myanmar, which was devastated last week by an earthquake in its northwestern region, are drawing strength and comfort from their faith as their country faces a tragic ordeal amidst the fresh civil war in the country for four years now.
And they are spreading those words of comfort to their countrymen through posts in the social media, one of which was sent by a friend this week.
The devastation touches a familiar chord as I recall my trip to that country almost a decade ago as a lecturer in journalism and civic engagement in two universities in Yangon.
The visit provided an opportunity to also conduct a study in Service-Learning which I presented in a conference of educators in Indonesia two years later.
During my free time there, I had an opportunity to visit the countryside, which somehow gives me a perspective of life in areas similar to the devastated Sagaing region, the worst earthquake-hit area, its key city with a population of over 310,000.
The earthquake toppled buildings in many parts of the region, particularly in the nearby city of Mandalay, the second biggest urban center, with a population of about 1.5 million, slightly bigger than that of Cebu City.
Another affected major area in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar, which is about 250 kms. south of Mandalay.
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The social media post forwarded by my friend conveys a message of encouragement despite the trial, which, according to another friend I chatted with, is apparently inspired by Deuteronomy 31:8, which promises “that God will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Christians comprise slightly over 6 percent of the about 55 million population of Myanmar, which is predominantly Buddhist.
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At least 1,700 were reported dead as of this writing, with other online sources indicating the death toll may have reached about 3,400 with about 4,000 others reportedly injured.
The earthquake also collapsed – as seen in video gone viral – a 33-storey building under construction in Bangkok, Thailand which is about 900 kms. southwest of the Sagaing epicenter. At least 10 persons list their lives there with dozens still unaccounted for and believed to have been trapped in the ruins.
It was felt as far as Yungan, China, which is about 3,500 kms. northeast of the devastated region.
It is said to be the deadliest quake in Myanmar history since 1930, when about 7,000 people died in Bago region.
The recovery will require massive efforts as thousands of mosques, nunneries, monasteries, temples pagodas, airport facilities, bridges, universities, museums, homes, high rise and other buildings were toppled by the earthquake that lasted for about 80 seconds.
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Rescue and relief operations are affected by lack of equipment and road destruction with the military government opening its otherwise restrictive doors to international aid.
As of press deadline, it was reported that, in response to the Myanmar government’s global call for help, a medical mission has been sent by the Department of Health. The mission – through the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams – will deliver medical aid to earthquake survivors.
The teams are composed of doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists and medical technologists. They will extend, among others, acute medical care, life support, referrals and trauma management services.
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There is just so much to do to restore community life, write another friend, who plans to support aid campaigns and later proceed to the affected area with his own team of volunteers.
The task to rehabilitate the affected region appears daunting but, as the believers’ posted words of encouragement say, their faith will help them restore their strength.
“It will take a long time for our country to recover, that’s why I am going out, in Jesus’s name, to make people realize that ‘He is the way, the Truth and the Life,’” my friend wrote me.
Let’s continue praying for those hurting now in Myanmar and Thailand.
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The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8) | NWI
