Rev. Zaw Win, General Secretary of the Myanmar Baptist Convention wrote that he had received a phone message from the Lahu Baptist Convention. They reported 30 people died during the earthquake, and 50 more were sent to the hospital when the church building they were in on Thursday collapsed in the strong earthquake. The church was holding a consecration service for people trained in ministry. They expect the damages and loss of life to increase as more news is received.
Rev. Zaw Win said “It is a really tragic time for us” as they were trying to help the affected church with all the means at their disposal. He is still gathering information from their 4 member conventions: the Eastern Shan Baptist Convention, the Lahu Baptist Convention, the Ahka Baptist Convention, and the Wa Baptist Conventions. He expressed deep appreciation for everyone who is praying.
Church buildings and houses in Lahu and Aka villages in Tarchilake and Kengtong area of Myanmar have been destroyed as reported in a phone call between Rev. Saw Samson, the Associate General Secretary of Myanmar Baptist Convention and Rev. Ler Htoo based in the USA. At least 500 houses disappeared right after the earthquake.
The Myanmar Baptist Convention and the local Christian Organization are
doing emergency relief for the people who suffered in earthquake. Rev. Ler Htoo asked “Please do pray for this”.
IM missionary, Scott Coats, has developed a draft proposal to help provide relief through the work of the Mekong Minority Foundation (MMF) http://minorityleadership.org centered in Chiang Rai, Thailand. MMF is very close to the border area where the earthquake's epicenter was located. Scott has a very good working relationship with the development/relief arm of the Myanmar Baptist Convention inside Myanmar.