News

Next Sunday, 18 May, when Wesley Mission celebrates its 196th anniversary, the Superintendent Rev Keith Garner has requested that an additional offering be taken at all the day’s services, including the special celebratory anniversary service, to assist the suffering people of Burma /Myanmar.

Over 100,000 Burmese were killed in Cyclone Nargis which hit Burma a week ago and there are grave fears for thousands more as disease and hunger take hold of the area wrecked by flooding.  Aid agencies say it is one of the worst natural disasters in history.  One million people have been left homeless.

“The Wesley Mission anniversary, where we celebrate the existence and work of the Mission, is a good time to remember others,” Mr Garner said.

“The Burmese people are in terrible grief and pain following the dreadful cyclone.

“It is very important that the Christian community responds to those who are in need.

“I appeal to our community here to give what they can to the stricken people of Burma and to uphold them in prayer.”

Earlier this year, Mr Keith and Carol Garner visited Burma, renewing contacts forged years ago with the Christian community in Yangon. During his visit, Mr Garner preached at Baptist churches, the Lower Myanmar Methodist Church and Christian Assembly congregations.

Mr Garner also spoke at a graduation ceremony for students of Theology at the Evangelical Bible Seminary in Yangon and, as a mark of respect for the Superintendent's contribution to world mission, the Seminary presented him with a Doctorate in Divinity (honoris causa).

Wesley Mission is engaged in supporting ministry students in Burma as well as other Asian and Pacific nations.

More than 5000 sq km of Burma lie inundated from Cyclone Nargis, and aid officials say hundreds of bodies lie in the fertile fields of the Irawaddy Delta that were flooded by rain and a massive sea surge caused by the storm.

Fear and despair are etched on the faces of survivors as they wait for the most basic relief. Tragically, aid is not getting to them quickly enough to prevent many more deaths.