Burma Earthquake: When God Acts Beforehand

In March, a massive earthquake hit Burma and Thailand. Over 5,400 people were killed and 11,400 injured. But the toll could have been higher with casualties from our school if God had not led and provided for us to act one year before.

About 50 students and staff live at Victory Bible Academy in Thailand. They come from Burma to be discipled, trained, and prepared to minister to both the persecuted and their persecutors.

The school was built in 2004 in a village on the border of Burma. It is a refuge from Burma’s war, yet at times bullets and blasts – and earthquakes – cross the border.

Last year, out of caution, we decided to dismantle a 3-story tall concrete water tower that was part of the original structure. This huge project took weeks. A special gift was given to cover the costs and build a classroom in its place. Thank God for people with the foresight to see a need before it becomes a disaster!

If the concrete water tower had not been removed, it could have come crashing down in the earthquake. It could have destroyed the kitchen and cafeteria and damaged the men’s dorm and the family quarters for our head teacher.

But the real tragedy would have been the lives lost. Our students, staff, and their children were spared, thanks to God’s leading and careful attention to make our school a safe place of refuge and learning.

Have you ever lived through a disaster and suddenly realized that God had acted beforehand to protect you? That happened at our school for persecuted Christians.

God is gracious! Instead of rummaging through rubble to find trapped people at our school, our teams were free to go out to help others. They delivered water, comfort, and prayers to elderly and vulnerable people. They contacted graduates of Victory in Burma, where the earthquake hit hardest, and sent aid.

Would you thank God with us? Victory Bible Academy endured some damage throughout the buildings and grounds from the earthquake. The repairs have become a training ground for students to learn handyman skills from hired contractors.

Right now, new students are traveling through Burma to arrive for the new school year. But military fighting on the border and destruction from the earthquake make this a challenge.

Will you pray for:

• Safe travel through military checkpoints on all the routes to our school.
• Our students to see how God is working through the turmoil and become powerful ministers of God’s grace to persecuted people and those still suffering from the earthquake.
• Victory Bible Academy to be prepared – spiritually and physically – for every challenge that will come.

“The words ‘once more’ signify the removal of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that the unshakable may remain.” Hebrews 12: 2