Lawrence Tong, OM China, who is based in Florence, South Carolina, traveled to China to help plan various relief efforts. Here is part of the report he posted on his return home.

Chengdu, China, Monday, May 26, 2008

Local believers united to bring relief and hope for China earthquake survivors.

On May 12, 2008 a deadly 7.9 magnitude earthquake shook China's Sichuan province, affecting millions of people. The quake and its aftershocks claimed more than 67,000 lives and left more than a quarter of a million people injured. It is estimated that another 20,000 people are still missing and could be buried beneath the rubble.

Three brothers arrived in Chengdu the day the earthquake struck the Sichuan province. The three are from the Unity Network, a movement that seeks to promote unity among the Chinese believers. Within two weeks their small group had grown to more than 200 volunteers from all over the country. Believers from both the state and house churches set aside their differences and came in trucks, vans and cars filled with rice, tarp, vegetable, tents, medicine and blankets. Together they made more than 90 trips on the arduous and dangerous journey into the affected area, distributing materials and food through the local churches and through the government channels.

Their efforts caught the attention of the local governments in the Meinyang and Deyang districts. City officials, touched by the selfless love shown by the Christians, offered their assistance and cooperation. One high ranking official even apologized to the Christians for having misunderstood them in the past. The following day, he came with three government vehicles and made them available to the group.

The leadership of OM China (OMC) has been working closely with this network for two years. They introduced a team from the Baptist Global Respond (BGR) to the network and together they conducted seminars for 170 volunteers on relief management. OMC and BGR are planning more future training sessions. They are also working with the network leaderships on an intermediate and a long term strategy to help the earthquake victims rebuild their lives and hope.

In their meeting with Mr. Huang, Lieutenant Governor of Sichuan province, he thanked the leaderships of OMC and BGR for their part in the relief effort and instructed his aides to assist these two organizations in providing visas for their staff and clearances for their goods.

One week after the disaster 4.8 million people were homeless and in desperate need of food, tents, and clean water. OMC seeks your help in making these items available to the earthquake victims. Assistance is provided regardless of race, age, sex or faith. If you would like to know more information about the work of OMC or donate funds to the disaster relief projects, please contact your local OM offices.

Submitted by Lawrence Tong