God’s Incredible Provision: Myanmar Earthquake Response

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake that recently devastated Myanmar. Buildings collapsed, infrastructure crumbled, and the earthquake’s aftershocks were felt in surrounding nations. Immediately afterward, a Disaster Assistance Response Team deployed to Thailand. But we knew that it was going to take a miracle to get the necessary permissions and visas to respond in Myanmar.

Every day, Samaritan’s Purse staff starts their day in prayer at devotions. Our teams and offices around the world have been praying that we would be able to get into Myanmar and begin helping people in need. Edward Densham, who serves in the International Projects department, spoke in staff devotions this week, and gave an exciting update on the disaster response.

“We've been praying and prayers work. You know, God has a plan. He has a reason. He wants His people to go and serve. He wants the name of Jesus Christ promoted, and He knows we have to get there to do it. And He does the impossible. He makes it where we have 85 people in Myanmar right now, which is unheard of.” — Edward Densham

It is only by the Lord’s provision that our teams are sharing God’s love with the people of Myanmar in the wake of this disaster. After staff devotions, Kristy Graham talked with Nick Bechert, who is the team lead in Myanmar. Nick shared what it’s like seeing the damage firsthand and how Samaritan’s Purse is providing life-saving medical care, shelter, and clean water.

“I talked to a gentleman whose wife had broken part of her lower back. As the shaking started, she covered her son so that when the ceiling did fall, it landed on her. And so, you're hearing these stories and it's these orthopedic crush wounds, broken bones, or things in earthquake zones that we see frequently when we head out.” — Nick Bechert

Long before this earthquake hit Myanmar, our medical teams began devising a plan to get victims of disasters quicker access to surgery before the Emergency Field Hospital is even set up. Our Mobile Surgical Team was created to fill this gap. This team started surgeries right next to where we were building the field hospital in Myanmar, which has since opened. Kristy spoke with Peter Holz who is leading our Mobile Surgical Team, which began addressing physical needs within an hour of arriving on the ground.

“[The Mobile Surgical Team] can travel independently and provide surgery on its own, but it can also go out with the EFH (Emergency Field Hospital) and provide those 48 hours’ worth of care prior to the EFH opening. So, it really is impactful. We've been able to do some pretty important surgeries.” — Peter Holz

Pray that “the God of hope will fill [our staff] with all joy and peace as [they] trust in Him,” and that they will “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV) as they share God’s love with the people of Myanmar. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit SamaritansPurse.org.