The world has been astounded by the Myanmar government being extremely slow to accept relief into the country, especially with 100,000+ lives gone. But I’ve received a piece of good news today in my email. The organization I work for, Power to Change, has given a great update on how their goods have made it through into the country. So if you have given financially to help Myanmar via Power to Change, be rest assured that your help has not been idly sitting at the border
They made it!! Good news from Myanmar.
Dear Steph,
Power to Change, through our humanitarian agency GAiN, has begun shipping much needed relief supplies to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Although the situation remains desperate for so many, we rejoice that the first shipment from Thailand has arrived. This is only the beginning, but it is truly and answer to the prayers of our staff and friends like you. Here is what our staff from the field are saying:
Last night we received word that 2 of our trucks have reached Yangon. Due to their size, the supplies were loaded into 12 smaller trucks. Late last night and this morning, the 
12 trucks have been unloaded at the local Christian church. There was much joy and a spark of happiness amongst the people. On the phone last night, the GAiN Thailand Coordinator said “They were so happy…. And I was so happy too!!”
For us at the command centre in Bangkok, it was a major victory. Our truck route, delivery and coordination has been confirmed successful. Two trucks have made it, and more are on the way. Our biggest concern was that the government would confiscate the goods and even though the goods would be put to good use, we prefer to give it to local believers so that they can reach out to help the people around them. Sending the trucks to Yangon was no small task. The trip took five days and required passing through four checkpoints.
Our in country coordinator has organised a meeting with a government official at one of the sites we are looking at. We are attempting to get a rubber stamp on our Emergency 
Relief camp and things are looking good. The government official really likes us.
In a meeting of a couple of hundred people, the government official asked “Who are the only ones left out of your family?” About 50 percent of the people put up their hands. One father, overcome with the emotion of the moment and moved with grief told how there used to be 80 members in his family. Now he is the only survivor. Although injured in the storm he had managed to climb a tree, desperately holding on to two of his young children. Over come by fatigue and his own injuries, he held on to his children as as long as he could, but eventually he was forced to let them go. The last memory he has of his family is the children disappearing in the raging storm.
There are many more stories like the one told by this poor father. We are helping local Christians show love, compassion and care as they distribute the basic goods that we supply. And the people like this poor father, through the haze of grief shock and pain, can see glimmer of hope and experience some joy.
Thank you for being part of this story.
Daniel Zelli
Spokesperson for Myanmar Relief Project
Please continue to uphold the victims and the believers in Myanmar who are reaching out with Christ’s love in this crisis. As you have read, the need is still great and so many are suffering the loss of everything, especially loved ones. We appreciate your commitment to stand with us and make this practical demonstration of the gospel a reality in Myanmar.
