When a dam in Ukraine was destroyed, sending floodwaters downstream and thousands fleeing for their lives, and a deadly train crash in India left vast humanitarian and spiritual needs, Texas Baptist Men responded to both tragedies through existing local partnerships.
“The primary need right now is financial resources to mobilize the local efforts,” said Mickey Lenamon, TBM executive director and CEO. “In both cases, our partners are meeting acute needs, and we are striving to support them as quickly as possible.
“Each time they provide a meal, pray with someone in a hospital or transport a family to safety, they are doing so in the name of Christ”
The dam explosion in Ukraine is the latest catastrophe resulting from the Russian invasion of the country.
“We have ministry partners there that are begging for help with inflatable boats, power banks, water, transporting people to safety,” said Rand Jenkins, director of the TBM ministry advancement team, relaying information from the Ukrainian partner.
The extent of deaths, injuries and damage is not yet known.
The ministry partner in Ukraine sent an urgent text to Jenkins June 6: “We have a church we partner with that’s there, right next to this flooding. They have four minivans they use to take people to safety. People are lining up to receive help—food, clothes, etc.”
In India, more than 270 people are dead and 1,200 injured. TBM already has begun transferring international relief funds in response.
“For the last several years, TBM has been quietly building the infrastructure of a disaster relief network in this very area,” Lenamon said. “We have people on the ground. When the wreck happened, TBM partners knew how to step up in the name of Christ.”
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Initial funding provides relief for victims and their families.
“Our ministry partner is providing meals and temporary housing to victims and their families, as well as visiting, praying with, counseling and encouraging victims in hospitals,” Lenamon said.
Rupert Robbins, TBM disaster relief associate director, spent weeks in the region of India where the wreck occurred.
“Our partners in India are going ahead with responses as a step of faith,” Robbins said. “They are coordinating with doctors and hospital officials to determine the most pressing needs that we can address.”
Lenamon asked for people to pray for the victims and that God would use these ministry efforts to “spread God’s love and hope across Ukraine and India. These tragedies just break my heart.”
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