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Welcome to the YWAM News Show for May 2023. This month I have news about the recent cyclone in Myanmar, YWAM’s work in Ukraine, what we did to help after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, some news about some of our ship ministries, and more …
Thank you for downloading this, the 133 episode of the Youth With A Mission News Show Podcast, I’m your host, Bill Hutchison.
You can contact us, subscribe to future episodes, leave comments, and find links to all the stories we talk about on the show notes for this podcast at ywampodcast.com/133 …
Stories:
Cyclone Mocha Recovery in Myanmar
Category 5 Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar on the afternoon of May 14, with winds of more than 200km/h. The storm surge was reported to be over 3-metres high, and up to 90% of the city of Sittwe was destroyed.
According to a statement that YWAM in Myanmar released to the Salt & Light web-site:
It’s still very hard to get a clear picture of the situation on the ground …
As far as YWAM can tell, access to the disaster zone has been limited by the authorities. Trucks with goods are only allowed to a checkpoint many kilometres outside the city.
Many people are still in shock and deeply traumatised by the terrifying experience. Many were injured by objects that flew around in the storm and need treatment.
YWAM’s spokesperson shared that while flights to Sittwe have resumed, these are limited. Prayer needs include:
- Food, clean water, and shelter for all affected: “Very soon the monsoon rains will start, which will provide clean water but will create other problems.”
- Supply chains to be opened up by the authorities. Myanmar is ruled by its military junta, which seized power on February 1, 2021.
- Medical care for the injured, many of whom need attention urgently
- Peace and comfort, especially for those who have lost loved ones and/or are traumatised by this terrible experience
- Aid workers on the ground struggling to get back on their feet and resume their work: YWAM received word on a couple stationed there who were able to flee the cyclone by driving inland for two hours. However, the roof of the building they took shelter in was also blown off.
- Protection, wisdom, discernment and favour for the YWAM leader travelling there.
If you care interested in learning more about YWAM’s relief efforts you can email them at ymrelief@gmail.com, or visit their web-site at ywammyanmar.org.
Update from YWAM Kyiv
Kyle and Anya, base leaders of YWAM Kyiv, share about the needs and where we are at so far with fundraising and teams for Waves of Hope.
If you visit the YWAM Kyiv web-site at ywamkyiv.org you can find out more about the Wave of Hope that are happening this year in June and August, and also find out how to give.
In the show notes for this episode of the YWAM News Show I have also embedded a video showing the building process for the homes that are being built in Ukraine.
YWAM’s Help with Turkey Earthquake
Many YWAM locations have been involved with helping in Turkey after it was hit by an earthquake in February. Two of the locations that have been involved are Australian Mercy and YWAM Harpenden.
The earthquakes and the 4,300 aftershocks have directly impacted more than 26 million people. Some 47,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, more than 345,000 apartments. The death toll in Turkey was over 50,000.
Australian Mercy, with their RescueNet response team, was on the ground in Turkey providing practical help, addressing mental health and medical needs, and providing disaster childcare in IDP camps. You can read more about the RescueNet mission to Turkey on the RescueNet International Facebook page.
Since the earthquake YWAM Harpenden has been able to send out three different teams to go and serve in southern Turkey. They joined with several international relief organisations like Operation Blessings. The teams have helped to distribute clothing, food, and toys to those who have lost everything. The teams have also been able to assist with preparing meals, entertaining children, and bringing comfort to some of the survivors. (source)
MV/ YWAM Koha Redeploys to Fiji
Earlier this year we brought you a report from the MV YWAM Koha’s deployment to Fiji in 2022. After replenishing their supplies, doing some maintenance on the ship, and refreshing and replenishing their staff in New Zealand, they have now redeployed back to Fiji ..
You can visit their website to find out more about their latest deployment, and how you might be able to get involved.
YWAM Liberty Home Port – Madang
Beginning Jan 1st, 2023 the YWAM LIBERTY will be our operating out of her new home port of Madang, PNG. They have signed a 50-year lease for a dock in downtown Medang, with a warehouse formerly owned by the Lutheran Shipping Company. They have begun renovations of the warehouse which, once completed, will include an Oral Bible Translation Training Center, complete with classrooms, a drive-through cafe, a kitchen, classrooms, office spaces, a conference room, a recording studio, and a large meeting room for public gatherings.
Earlier in May the YWAM Liberty was back in the water after some significant maintenance was done on the vessel. They are now waiting for parts to come from Brisbane, Australia, and they are preparing to soon start medical operations in PNG.
You can find out more about their now home port, as well as the work being done on the YWAM Liberty on the YWAM Ships Kona web-site.
YWAM Dental Trailer Program Launched in PNG
Also in Papua New Guinea we hear about the the new Dental Trailer Program in Port Morseby.
At the beginning of May the MV YWAM PNG arrived back in Townsville after completing a planned drydock in Brisbane at the end of last year. The vessel has been operating in PNG since 2015, and sadly this was it’s final deployment.
YWAM Medical Ships Australia will be selling the MV YWAM PNG and moving towards obtaining smaller vessels to operate in multiple locations. The thought is that this shift will allow for increased geographical focus and depth of community development.
YWAM Gweru Zibabwe
In this episode of the YWAM News Show we hear about YWAM Zimbabwe as we continue to hear about some of the YWAM Ministry Locations in Africa.
You can find out more, and connect with them on their Facebook Page.
Benny Prasad at the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece
I’ve really been enjoying reading and hearing the stories from Benny Prasad, which are detailed is his book Unthinkable. I remember back in 2004 when there were a number of teams heading to Greece for the Olympic Games, and Benny was one of those who went …
If you head to Benny’s website, bennyprasad.com, you can get your own copy of the book, read more details about Benny’s World Record, and find out more about Benny’s global ministy.
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