East India flooding leaves some ministry fields 'totally disconnected'

Recent heavy rains and flooding in areas of eastern India are impacting the efforts of Bible League ministry partners.

"It is affecting people's lives—many people are losing everything they have in the floods," said one Bible League-trained worker. "We cannot contact our partnering churches. Heavy floods have totally disconnected them from us."

Increasing danger
In the last two months, the flooding has caused massive damage and the loss of tens of thousands of homes. In just one area, more than 100,000 people are completely cut-off from contact due to washed out roads and downed communication wires.

According to news reports, millions of Indians are in danger of contracting diseases, and many face starvation in the flood's wake. Local officials are saying that the ongoing flooding is worse than 2003, when hundreds died of water-born illnesses. More flooding is predicted in the days ahead.

Churches on hold
For those whose homes and communications remain intact, travel is still dangerous—if not impossible. This is hindering many Christians from meeting for worship and Bible study. One local Christian describes his attempts to continue ministry in spite of the storms. "I've had to travel in rain for hours by motorbike. Three times I fell down from the motorbike due to the very bad, slippery roads."

Because of these kinds of dangers, many local churches are postponing evangelism and discipleship programs. They are hesitant to ask anyone to be on the roads until after the monsoon season passes.

"We need your prayers for this situation—for our state and our ministry," said a Bible League partner.